National Nutrition Month & Registered Dietitian Day
By Amy Tackett, MS, RDN
March is National Nutrition Month!
The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics promotes this annually to create special attention on education and information on nutrition. The Academy celebrates March 13th, 2019 as Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Day to promote RDNs to the public as the leading experts for credible nutrition information. This may beg the question then: What is a “Registered Dietitian Nutritionist” (RD/RDN) anyways? The chart below provides the depths on what a dietitian is and what qualifications are required!
| Registered Dietitian | |
| Definition |
A RDN is a nutrition expert that simplifies research to provide everyday tools and advise in healthy eating to those with varying health conditions. Dietitians often further their abilities to become specialized in a specific area of focus. |
| Work |
Dietitians often work in hospital, community and food service settings to provide medical nutrition therapy that aids in the care, treatment and prevention of disease. A growing number of dietitians work in journalism, sports nutrition and corporate wellness. |
| Requirements |
A graduate level degree is required starting in 2024 with accredited course work surrounding human physiology and nutrition science through the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) 1200-hour dietetic internship in the respective dietetic work fields Passing a national registration exam administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) Continuing education credits to maintain registration and credentials |
| Legality |
Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) The term “Registered Dietitian Nutritionist” is protected under legal titles for only those who have met the above requirements. |
Bottom Line: Be sure to choose an educated, trained and qualified health professional for your food and nutrition advice. Ask questions on their education, history and background to determine if their specialties and level of expertise match you and your conditions. You should feel comfortable sharing your personal information with this individual and trust that they are providing you with sound advice.
References
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Every registered dietitian is a nutritionist but not every nutritionist is a registered dietitian. Retrieved from https://www.eatrightpro.org/about-us/what-is-an-rdn-and-dtr/what-is-a-registered-dietitian-nutritionist/every-registered-dietitian-is-a-nutritionist-but-not-every-nutritionist-is-a-registered-dietitian
Amy Tackett is the Registered Dietitian Nutritionist for the YMCA of Greater Dayton. Interested in learning more? See our Nutrition page.
