Nutritionist. Food Coach. How Good Is Their Diet Advice?

Reader Comments
Back to article

Thanks for the great article. You did a good job of explainingg the issue...I always ask my clients if they would go to a doctor who was not licensed or certified? Of course you would not.. and nutrition information has just as much impact on your health.. Asking questions and doing your homework is really good advice..
Thanks again

Cynthia the dietitian of IL 10:13PM February 06, 2010

As a registered dietitian and a specialist in diabetes and sports dietetics, I want to thank you for your article. Consumers should always about credentials and training. Testimonials are no substitute. In the current climate of health care reform, science demonstrates that visits with a registered dietitian in many instances can save health care dollars. Nutrition is an applied science and RD and are uniquely qualified and trained to translate the science of nutrition to the plate for those who are healthy and for those who have a chronic illness or condition. No other discipline can do this.
As for athletes, consider the football player with Crohn's disease or the marathoner with diabetes. How would a nutritionist with little scientific or practical experience ever be able to integrate the principles of medical nutrition therapy with athletic performance. Athletes and consumers deserve the best. Visit the website of the Sports, Cardiovascular and Wellness Nutrition- a practice group of the American Dietetic Association; www.scandpg.org to find an expert in sports, cardiovasuclar and wellness nutriton in your area. The American Dietetic Association has food and nutrition experts in all areas and for a RD to meet your needs go to eatright.org.
Thank you!!

Roberta, MS,RD/LD, CSSD, CDE of TX 4:24PM February 06, 2010

I am a Registered Dietitian and a Licensed Dietitian/Nutritionist in Florida. I get this question all the time. After describing what it takes to become a Registered Dietitian, the distinction becomes very clear. Licensure in the state of Florida was specifically enacted to protect the public from people who want to hang out the "Nutritionist" shingle.
Thanks again for the article.

Linda of FL 1:18PM February 06, 2010

Thanks for the article explaining the differences between those who have a solid educational background in nutrition and those offering nutrition advice/counseling who may not.

Penny of TX 11:52AM February 06, 2010

Thank you for this article!! In looking for the letters of RD (REGISTERED DIETITIAN) behind their name, as you said, the consumer is assured then that the person has a degree, all the hours of experience, as well as passing that national exam....
You want your nurse to have RN behind their name too, not just someone who says they are a nurse, right??
For athletes, the specialty letters to look for to be sure your dietitian is board certified in sports nutrition is CSSD. You can find a sports dietitian in your area by looking at www.scandpg.org--this is a nationwide listing of sports dietitians. They must have several years of experience, over 1000 hours of experience and sit for specific sports nutrition exam.
You can look for an RD in your area by going to www.eatright.org

Tracy of NC 11:43AM February 06, 2010

A diabetic diet guide on how to manage different type of diabetes http://DiabetesMeal.info

andrewjase of CA 5:34AM February 06, 2010

Free Diabetes Meal Plan http://DiabetesMeal.info

andrewjase of CA 5:32AM February 06, 2010

As a chef, I am glad to see an article like this and plan on sharing it....when giving nutritional advice I always make it perfectly clear that I am not a dietitian or certified nutritionist, I am just some guy that happens to know a lot about food and always recommend consulting a professional if the change in diet is going to be anything drastic...
Great article,
Chef Michael Hayes
Greenville, SC

Michael of SC 9:08PM February 05, 2010