Mar
ch is National Nutrition Month! And today just so happens to be National Registered Dietitian Day.
Since I am an RD, I thought in honor of this special day I would highlight a little bit about how RDs can impact so many aspects of our lives.
RDs must be degreed and licensed in order to perform our services under the title of Registered Dietitian. As such, we have all attended at least a 4 your program but some of us (like myself) have an advanced Masters degree or PhD in nutrition.
RDs can fill many roles. We work in fitness and weight loss to help people plan appropriate meals. Some work with the general public or more specialized populations such as Olympic,professional or collegiate athletes to help maintain nutrition for intense training sessions as well as off season guidance. This is a lot of what people think and RD does. But the truth is, RDs can work in fields totally unrelated to weight loss and/or sports.
For example, you will find dietitians in hospitals. We sometimes work with the general inpatient population but also work in trauma, burn, surgery, dialysis and cancer units. In these settings RDs are often responsible for recommending nutrition support such as tube feeding or intravenous feeds as these patients can be comatose, malnourished and/or in need of wound healing. RDs work inpatient but often work in outpatient counseling as well. The RD is an integral part of the clinical team and handles complicated nutrition issues.
RDs also work in eating disorder clinics,. We work to counsel patients and assist in returning them to a healthful nutrition status. This is particularly challenging role for RDs as eating disorders tend to be a lifelong struggle.
RDs work in food service as well! We are involved in menu planning at assisted living facilities, school food programs and even work in prisons!
Dietitians work in food science as well generally in R&D helping develop safe food products such as flavor enhancers and colors to be used in the food industry. Many large companies also employ RDs for developing nutritious foods for their own food products such as Kashi.
You can also find RDs in community nutrition. Dietitians can work at WIC clinics helping undeserved populations. Additionally, RDs can obtain specialized certifications that allow them to help educate and train mothers in appropriate lactation practices. A lactation educator can be found at a WIC clinic or in a hospital.
Public policy is also an area where you will see an RD. This exciting field involves working with public policy makers to influence laws governing access to fresh, healthy food as well as working with local farmers and food distributors to distribute local foods more widely. RDs in this field often work at the grass roots level garnering awareness and support for their work.
Dietitians also teach! We are often working at the collegiate level as professors or lecturers. Additionally, RDs work tirelessly in the area of nutrition research to bring new developments in food science, health trends, supplements, dietary practices and many other fields to the public.
There are plenty of careers I haven’t mentioned here but as you can see, you will find RDs in many different areas! So if you know and RD, tell him or her happy National Dietitian’s Day!
THIS RD is working today to help my wonderful clients realize their own goals: To live a healthier and happier lifestyle. Call today for a free appointment!
