Registered Dietitians: Healthcare Professionals Committed to your Nutrition Goals
posted by Jenna Jacobsen on Friday, March 18, 2022
Happy National Nutrition Month!
March is a month dedicated to bringing awareness to an important topic – our nutrition!
Every year the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics sets a theme for the month of March with this year’s theme being “Celebrate a World of Flavors”. March is also the month we celebrate dietitians with a national holiday of Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) Day on March 9, 2022.
Fun fact: Dietitians get to choose whether they prefer to be called Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) or Registered Dietitian (RD). The two titles are interchangeable and based on preference.
Many individuals would benefit from seeing a dietitian in their area, but may not understand the role dietitians play in their health, what their background entails, or how to start the process for a referral. Although the RDN title contains the word nutritionist, dietitians and nutritionists are different. RDNs have bachelor’s degrees in dietetics, nutrition, public health, or a related field from accredited universities. They must also match with an internship and pass an exam. Once they have passed the exam, they are eligible to be registered. Depending on the state, dietitians are required to obtain a license to practice. And, yes, Iowa currently requires RD/RDNs to have a license to practice in the state. RDNs are able to work for hospitals, public health clinics, nursing homes, fitness centers, schools, food management/food industry, universities, community health, and even their own private practice. All RDNs are required to maintain their credentials with continuing education yearly making them the real food and nutrition experts. Dietitians play an important role within the healthcare team and can help patients understand and utilize the science behind nutrition to create their own personalized goals.
How do I set up an appointment to see an RDN? Ask your physician! Primary care physicians have the tools to send referrals to dietitians for their patients. This could be for renal disease, diabetes, food intolerances/allergies, dysfunctional eating behaviors, or healthful eating to reach your own weight/fitness goals. It’s important to find an RDN that will suit your specific needs!
If you, or someone you know, are interested in becoming an RDN, please reach out to our Spencer Hospital dietitians! We would love to help future dietitians with questions and help them on the journey to becoming a food and nutrition expert!
- nutrition