Why Use a Registered Dietitian (RD) for Your Nutrition Services?
Where do you get your nutrition information from? Is it from the media? A colleague or coworker? Wherever you seem to get your information, make sure it is valid! With today’s boom in online personal training programs and fitness nutrition programs, it can be difficult sorting through what is “healthy” material and what is “garbage” material.
Many people don’t know that it is illegal for someone who is NOT a registered or licensed dietitian to provide detailed nutrition services. This means an individual who calls themselves a “nutritionist” isn’t legally able to give you a custom meal plan or macronutrient breakdown.
Now why is it so strict? According to the great state of Ohio, food is considered medicine. An example would be someone who is deficient in vitamin B12. Their signs and symptoms may resemble someone who is deficient in folic acid, however they are not and the true issue may easily be overlooked. This simple mistake can cause severe damage! The food could “cure” the deficiency much like a medicine can cure an illness.
10 Reasons to Consider Where Your Nutrition Information Comes From
- Completed a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in nutrition or food related areas at an accredited university with course work accredited by governing bodies.
- Completed extensive supervised practice that includes a minimum of 1200 hours providing exposure to all areas of nutrition.
- Successfully passed a national exam.
- Completes continuing professional educational requirements to maintain registration as a Dietitian.
- The title “Dietitian” is protected by law.
- Dietitians are held accountable for their conduct and the care they provide. Because of this, the reliability and safety of their professional advice and care are ensured.
- Provide personally tailored recommendations through thorough assessment of each client.
- Use evidence-based practice when providing nutritional services. All recommendations are back up by science, not opinion!
- Trained to translate the science of nutrition into everyday information about food.
- With all the nutrition misinformation out there, dietitians are the expert you can rely on!
Developed by: Rachel Suba, R.D., L.D. – Full Scale Fitness