"RD" Does Not Stand For "Really Dumb"

Recently, I was standing in line behind a woman who was outwardly bragging of her status as a certified nutrition counselor and how she didn’t believe the RD credential was worth it. She said she thinks that the food guide pyramid is a joke, and then proceeded to turn around and look straight at me.

What would you do?

I politely smiled and thought to myself…

“A certified nutrition counselor, certified through a program like the Institute for Integrative Nutrition offers a program, one weekend per month, from January to July. Conversely, dietitians are required to complete multiple semesters of chemistry, biology, biochemistry, community nutrition, classes on vitamins and minerals, medical nutrition therapy, counseling, nutritional research, food service, meal management, etc. You can’t even think of sitting to take the exam unless you also complete an intense, accredited dietetic internship of 900 hours of supervised practice. Then, you must pass a rigorous exam in which you must know everything from what a #10 can is to the medical nutrition therapy for a person with chronic kidney disease. Once you do that, most states require you to apply for a license in order to practice in that state.”

I have no qualms about health-minded individuals looking to advance their careers, and potentially even making a career out of becoming a nutritionist, but discounting the work that dietitians must complete is unprofessional. I commend anyone who has completed non-RD nutrition programs and believe the more people we have highlighting the needs of healthful eating and living is better for us all, but when all is said and done, the RD, due to her extensive training, is the nutrition expert.

Registered Dietitians are required to promote evidence-based recommendations. This means that I cannot recommend that individuals drink 15 cups of chamomile tea every day because I think it will improve health; rather, I practice by making recommendations and guiding clients based on sound scientific research completed by dietitians, physicians, research PhDs, exercise physiologists and other experts in their own fields who devote their entire careers to finding answers about, say, vitamin D, the outcomes of a vegetarian diet, or risk factors for cardiovascular disease. I will agree the scientific research process is not perfect, and often time is muddled by the fact that the research is done in a hard-to-observe group (humans!) or influenced by industry. Still, I rest well at night knowing that what I do as a professional is based on the influence of hundreds of thousands of hours worth of professional work and collaboration on a particular vitamin, diet pattern, or disease.

Would you visit a “doctor” who completed 8 weekend trainings in New York City and wanted to prescribe something to you? The field of nutrition and diet is open to anyone who has an opinion, and can cause consumers much confusion. Often, consumers look to others (instead of the RD) for nutrition advice, probably due to savvy marketing and, sometime, celebrity status. Look at how popular diet books not written by RDs or MDs are! Nutrition is the cornerstone of health and disease prevention, and as a society, consumers should be looking to the RD as the expert.

Often, opponents of the field of dietetics and nutrition believe that their holistic view of nutrition outweighs what a dietitian can do for you. Have you ever heard of a dietitian NOT touting the benefits of holistic nutrition? Successful dietitians encourage their clients and patients (through motivational interviewing and a series of other counseling techniques learned in rigorous programs and internships) to view their nutrition as a part of a healthful lifestyle, and always work with clients to individualize their nutrition plans to ensure success, incorporate physical activity, and employ effective stress management skills.

(stepping off soapbox now)

All I ask is that clients, patients, and consumers do their research to determine if a State-licensed and credentialed Registered Dietitian - or a nutritionist - is a better fit for their goals and needs. When seeking the counsel of an RD, clients, patients, and consumers can be confident that they are meeting with a practitioner who has completed extensive training and experience and, subsequently, will be receiving evidence-based recommendations and counseling based in science.

25, 25, 25

August 18 - 7 days until I turn 25: Know your audience (especially if your are speaking negatively of someone else's profession!)

Question of the Day: What would you have done in that situation?

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