What defines a registered dietitian?

A registered dietitian is someone who has completed specific food and dietetic academia, has completed specific supervised nutrition hours in the community, food security, acute care, ambulatory care, surgery and medicine, intensive care, diabetes, renal and food management arena, and has passed a rigorous exam.

Registered dietitians not only understand the relationship food has with the body, they enjoy seeing it work the way it should. However, when complications present themselves, the registered dietitian is the “expert” and goes to person to help resolve all nutritional issues.

Although some think registered dietitians work only in the clinical setting, where the goal is to help nourish customers back to health, they are trained to be in all settings. I am a Health and Wellness Advocate and work in Faith-based organizations, fitness centers and community senior centers most of the time.

An RD is a food and nutrition expert who has met academic and professional requirements including: Earned a bachelor’s degree with course work approved by Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Coursework typically includes food and nutrition sciences, foodservice systems management, business, economics, computer science, sociology, biochemistry, physiology, microbiology and chemistry; Completed an accredited, supervised internship practice program at a health-care facility; Passed a national examination administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration; Completes continuing professional educational requirements to maintain registration and stay current on nutrition science information.

"Registered Dietitians (RDs) are food and nutrition experts who have met the following criteria to earn the RD credential:

• Completed a minimum of a bachelor’s degree at a US regionally accredited university or college and course work accredited or approved by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education (CADE) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
• Completed a CADE-accredited supervised practice program at a health-care facility, community agency, or a foodservice corporation or combined with undergraduate or graduate studies. Typically, a practice program will run six to 12 months in length.
• Passed a national examination administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR). For more information regarding the examination, refer to CDR’s website at www.cdrnet.org. 
• Completed continuing professional educational requirements to maintain registration.

Some RDs hold additional certifications in specialized areas of practice. These are awarded through CDR, the credentialing agency forthe Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics , and/or other medical and nutrition organizations and are recognized within the profession, but are not required. Some of the certifications include pediatric or renal nutrition, sports dietetics, nutrition support and diabetes education.

In addition to RD credentialing, many states have regulatory laws for dietitians and nutrition practitioners. Frequently these state requirements are met through the same education and training required to become an RD."

From the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Website

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics defines a registered dietitian as a food and nutrition expert who has met academic and professional requirements including:

• Earned a bachelor’s degree with course work approved by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’s Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education. Coursework typically includes food and nutrition sciences, foodservice systems management, business, economics, computer science, sociology, biochemistry, physiology, microbiology and chemistry.
• Completed an accredited, supervised practice program at a health-care facility, community agency or foodservice corporation.
• Passed a national examination administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration.
• Completes continuing professional educational requirements to maintain registration.

 

Registered dietitians (RDs) are health professionals who teach people about nutrition or develop diets to promote health. They can also specialize in nutritional counseling to help treat food-related psychological problems, such as anorexia or bulimia.

Dietitians work in hospitals, nursing homes, and schools. Registered dietitians also work in government, restaurant management, fitness, food companies, and private practices.

Registered dietitians complete a bachelor's degree. They also must complete a supervised practice program and pass a national examination sponsored by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR). Some RDs hold additional certifications in specialized areas of practice, such as pediatric or renal nutrition, nutrition support, or diabetes education. These certifications are awarded through the CDR or other medical and nutrition groups.