During National Nutrition Month, we take time to recognize those whose expertise and contributions to the field of nutrition have helped us all make healthier decisions about the food we eat. This month is a great opportunity to spread awareness about these professionals, who they are, and what exactly they do.
Registered Dietitian Nutritionist
Dietitian nutritionists (RDNs) are food and nutrition experts. To become an RDN, one must complete a minimum of a graduate degree from an accredited program, gain supervised practice and experience through an accredited program, pass a national examination administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration, meet requirements to practice in their state, and stay up-to-date in the field of dietetics through continuing education.
RDNs work in various areas including (but not limited to): hospitals, outpatient clinics, foodservice operations for hospitals or schools, consulting work for food companies and distributors, education, working with athletes, working in communications, public relations, or marketing, or conducting nutrition and dietetics research.
Nutrition and Dietetic Technicians, Registered
Nutrition and dietetic technicians, registered (NDTRs), are also educated in food and nutrition. They play a vital part in healthcare and foodservice management teams. To become an NDTR, one must complete coursework in an accredited program or complete a supervised practice program of at least 450 hours, earn a minimum of a bachelor’s degree, and pass a national examination. They must also complete continuing education to stay up-to-date in the field of nutrition and dietetics.
As an NDTR, you can work in settings sch as hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, retirement centers, hospices, home healthcare centers, community health programs, public health agencies, weight management clinics, food companies, and distributing operations.
This year, RDN Day is celebrated on Wednesday, March 12, and NDTR Day is Thursday, March 13. Let’s let them all know how much we appreciate them!
CHAS Health Nutrition Services
Here at CHAS Health, we have an experienced team of RDNs ready to provide you with quality nutrition care through medical nutrition therapy (MNT) and counseling. MNT involves an individual nutrition assessment to help manage or treat chronic conditions through diet and lifestyle changes. Nutrition counseling is a process to set nutrition priorities, establish goals, and foster self-care. Nutrition counseling helps individuals overcome barriers and work within their lifestyle, concerns, culture, and challenges to improve their health outcomes.
How can a Dietitian Help Me?
Nutrition counseling and MNT together have been shown to be effective in wellness, disease prevention, and disease management. Before you meet with your dietitian, think about what your health goals might be. Do you want to lose weight, have more energy, improve your blood sugar or cholesterol numbers, live longer, or prevent the progression of chronic conditions?
An initial visit with your dietitian will take about 45 minutes. They will review your current eating habits and nutritional health, and work with you to set a specific plan to meet your goals. As you continue to work with your dietitian, they can answer specific questions that you may have about diet and nutrition. Your dietitian can work with you to build skills such as reading food labels, healthy grocery shopping on a budget, meal planning, and cooking.
Nutrition counseling is useful in the management of many health conditions, such as:
- Type 1 and type 2 diabetes
- Prediabetes
- High cholesterol
- High blood pressure and other cardiac conditions
- Kidney disease
- Weight loss or weight gain
- Gastrointestinal issues, such as IBS or GERD
- Diverticulosis and diverticulitis
- Celiac disease or other gluten intolerances
- Steatosis or other liver conditions
- Food allergies
- Nutrition during pregnancy
- Undernutrition
- Wound healing
How do I get started?
CHAS Health encourages open communication with all our providers to develop the best plan of care for our patients. Patients may be referred to a dietitian by their provider, or they may self-refer to the dietitian, but they must be under the care of a primary care provider at CHAS Health to be seen by an RDN. Dietitians at CHAS Health can provide care in-office or via telehealth.
Visit chas.org or call us today at 509.444.8200 to learn more and schedule an appointment.
