When it comes to seeking dietary and nutritional advice, the health and wellness industry can be confusing. Today, everyone from social media influencers, celebrities, and personal trainers to wellness coaches and lifestyle columnists is offering recommendations about food, diet, and nutrition.
A safer option is to choose a registered dietitian nutritionist. This is a trained professional who can help you design and implement nutritious eating plans based on your unique circumstances or health goals. Several considerations are worth noting as you look for a dietitian nutritionist.
In the US, dietitians are board-certified experts in food and nutrition. Known as registered dietitians (RDs), board-certified dietitian nutritionists complete a variety of degree programs, many completing postgraduate level programs in food and nutrition. They are qualified to offer professional guidance in many settings, including research institutions, hospitals, outpatient clinics, and local communities, among others.
Before you start your search, first define your needs. For example, are you seeking to manage a medical condition or looking to lose some weight? Do you have food allergies or sensitivities that need management with a low carbohydrate diet such as irritable bowel syndrome? Perhaps you want to address the underlying factors behind your binge eating.
Although RDs can help with a broad range of food, nutrition, and health issues, some specialize in areas that might be more in line with your health goals. If, for example, you have pre-diabetes, diabetes, heart disease, or cancer, or are coming from post-bariatric surgery that requires special dietary needs, you may want to look for a dietitian nutritionist who specializes in such specific health areas.
Your family physician is an excellent person to ask for a dietitian referral. Because the doctor already knows about your health status or needs, they are likely to know someone who can help you. In addition, your doctor may already have an ongoing professional relationship with a registered dietitian.
Also, consider asking family members and friends who might have benefitted from the services of a dietitian nutritionist. If they were happy with how the expert helped them with their diet, nutrition, and health goals, they will likely only be too glad to help, especially if they have the same health goals or needs as you. Another option is checking online reviews. These can tell you what other clients think about an RD and whether they might be someone you would benefit from working with.
Additionally, reputable RDs are transparent and open when sharing their qualifications, training, and experience. Visit their website or LinkedIn profile and confirm their credentials. They might also cite their professional associations or memberships, helping you to gauge their qualifications and experience. You may also want to learn if they belong to the National Association for Nutrition Professionals, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the American Nutrition Association, or the American Council on Science and Health, among other professional groups.
Finally, when you work with a dietitian nutritionist, you are likely to spend a fair amount of time together. This makes it imperative that you should trust and feel comfortable with them and their facility. Visit them and see first-hand how they operate. Is the RD friendly but still professional? Does the support team appear well qualified? Talk to the staff members and get a feel for what you can expect, should you decide to seek their services.
