What is a
Registered Dietitian (R.D.)?

   A registered dietitian, or "R.D.", is an expert on food and nutrition. According to the Commission on Dietetic Registration, a R.D. must have the following credentials:

• has completed a minimum of a baccalaureate degree granted by a U.S. regionally accredited college or university;
• has met current academic requirements (Didactic Program in Dietetics) as approved by the American Dietetic Association;
• has completed 1,000 hours of ADA-approved pre-professional internship experience;
• has successfully completed the Registration Examination for Dietitians; and
• has accrued 75 hours of approved continuing education every 5 years.

   Anyone can call themself a "nutritionist", regardless of education and credentials. Few states have legal standards defining the term "nutritionist". This means that a person with a degree in literature could call themself a "nutritionist". A registered dietitian, on the other hand, must meet the stringent criteria defined above. While the R.D. credential cannot always ensure the best advice, it is certainly the most reliable means of screening out unqualified individuals. If you choose to see someone calling themself a "nutritionist", your best bet is to make sure they have an undergraduate degree in a related field, such as biochemistry or biology, and a graduate degree in nutrition from an accredited institution. Check also to see if he/she belongs to associations such as the American Society for Clinical Nutrition, the American Institute of Nutrition, the American College of Nutrition, or the Society for Nutrition Education.

   Registered dietitians work in a variety of settings, such as healthcare institutions, schools, restaurants, hospitals, nursing homes, HMOs, public and home health agencies, daycare centers, health and recreation clubs, government funded feeding programs, colleges and universities, food and pharmaceutical companies, private practices, and public relations agencies. It is important to recognize professional credentials when seeking nutrition counselling. Be wary of someone who promotes special products or "super foods", or who promotes an easy cure for common ailments. Emphasis should be on long-term healthy eating habits, not a quick fix. Though no one can guarantee results or promise cures, a registered dietitian can provide information that is both credible and reliable.

   For more information, or to find a registered dietitian in your area, call 1-800-366-1655.

* SOURCE: The Journal of the American Dietetic Association; Vol.7, No.1, March 1995.