Top Ten Reasons Why Consulting with an RD Can Benefit You

American Dietetic Association’s Top Ten Reasons
Why Consulting with a Registered Dietitian Can Benefit You

1. You have diabetes, cardiovascular problems or high blood pressure.
An RD serves as an integral part of your health-care team by helping you safely change your eating plan without compromising taste or nutrition.

2. You are thinking of having or have had gastric bypass surgery.
A registered dietitian will help you learn to eat again. Since your stomach can only manage small servings, it’s a challenge to get the right amount of nutrients in your body. An RD will work with you and your physician to develop an eating plan for your new needs.

3. You have digestive problems.
A registered dietitian will work with your physician to help fine-tune your diet so you are not aggravating your condition with fried foods, too much caffeine or carbonation.

4. You’re pregnant or trying to get pregnant.
A registered dietitian can help make sure you get nutrients like folate, especially during the first three months of pregnancy, lowering your newborn’s risk for neural tube or spinal cord defects.

5. You need guidance and confidence for breastfeeding your baby.
A registered dietitian can help make sure you’re getting enough iron, vitamin D, fluoride and B vitamins for you and your little one.

6. Your teenager has issues with food and eating healthfully.
A registered dietitian can assist with eating disorders like anorexia, bulimia and overweight issues.

7. You need to gain or lose weight.
A registered dietitian can suggest additional calorie sources for healthy weight gain or a restricted-calorie eating plan plus regular physical activity for weight loss while still eating all your favorite foods.

8. You’re caring for an aging parent.
A registered dietitian can help with food or drug interaction, proper hydration, special diets for hypertension and changing taste buds as you age.

9. You want to eat smarter.
A registered dietitian can help you sort through misinformation; learn how to read labels at the supermarket; discover that healthy cooking is inexpensive, learn how to eat out without ruining your eating plan and how to resist workplace temptations.

10. You want to improve your performance in sports.
A registered dietitian can help you set goals to achieve results — whether you’re running a marathon, skiing or jogging with your dog.

With approximately 70,000 members, the American Dietetic Association is the nation’s largest organization of food and nutrition professionals. ADA serves the public by promoting optimal nutrition, health and well-being. To locate a registered dietitian in your area, visit the American Dietetic Association at www.eatright.org/.
National Nutrition Month®, created in 1973 and celebrated each March, helps promote healthful eating and provides consumers with practical nutrition guidance.

Oprah, Where's the Love?

I've been wondering why Oprah does not have a real dietitian as one of her "friends". Sorry Bob. But I would really like to know the answer to this. I emailed Oprah. I am waiting for a reply.

Kirstie has Jenny Craig. So does Valerie. Rachel has Slimfast. Fergie has Weight Watchers. Nicole had gastric surgery. Courtney had surgery or not. Anna had Trimspa or was it Slimfast? Who knows; who cares. Well, everybody apparently. Janet had gourmet diet foods delivered to her door and a personal trainer.

Again, where's the love? Has anyone heard of a Registered Dietitian?

Dietitian must be a dirty word. Comments appreciated.

January 17, 2008 Update: Looks like I have to eat my words. Yum, they're delicious!

Bob Greene, Oprah's personal trainer, and Zonya Foco, Dietitian are on a 17-city tour stopping in grocery stores.

Will the Real Nutrition Expert Please Stand Up?

There are many so-called nutrition advisors out there, sometimes it's hard to tell just who is a qualified expert.
From the hottest trendy restaurants to school cafeterias, from corporations to day-care centers, the secret is out. The registered dietitian is recognized as the most valuable source of good nutrition.
Registered dietitians provide reliable, up-to-date food and nutrition information. RDs know the science of nutrition and have the education to back it up.
Many times you will find writers, salesman, and just about anybody calling themselves nutritionists. In reality, they may only be self-proclaimed experts.
When you need trusted, accurate, timely and practical nutrition advice, seek the advice of a registered dietitian, the nutrition expert.

A registered dietitian (RD) is a food and nutrition expert who has met academic and professional requirements including:
Bachelor's degree with course work approved by ADA's Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education. Coursework typically includes food and nutrition sciences, food service systems management, business, economics, computer science, sociology, biochemistry, physiology, microbiology and chemistry.
Complete an accredited, supervised, experiential practice program at a health-care facility, community agency or food service corporation.
Pass a national examination administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration.
Complete continuing professional educational requirements to maintain registration.
Some RDs hold additional certifications in specialized areas of practice, such as pediatric or renal nutrition and diabetes education. About half of all registered dietitians work in clinical settings, private practice or health-care facilities. Many work in community and public health settings, academia and research, business, journalism, sports nutrition, and wellness programs.