Today is National Registered Dietitian Day, yay! Every March I look forward to this day because as a Dietitian I feel as though we don’t receive enough credit. A lot of times in the hospital we are called dietary, food service, or nutritionists and if you are a fellow RD reading this you know how deep those names cut. We worked so hard for the title “Registered Dietitian” just to be referred to as dietary. Ugh! 

Now that I am working outside of the hospital setting, I see how under-valued we are in the “real world.” Oftentimes, people will listen to or follow influencers or nutritionists' advice over a dietitian. It’s easy to get online and google a nutrition-related question and an influencer's blog has the answer. In school, we discussed how we have to advocate for our profession because of the rise of non-credentialed people offering their advice. More often than not, influencers have their platform based on their personal experience. They provide advice that worked for them, however, that doesn’t always fit everyone. An example could be an influencer promoting the keto diet because they lost 20 lbs on it, however, promoting the keto diet to someone with diabetes is a major health concern.

In addition to influencers, nutritionists often undermine the dietetics profession. Anyone can be a nutritionist, self-proclaimed or not in some states. So, that is how influencers and nutritionists are intertwined. Some states require licensing for practicing nutritionists, like Alabama, but most don’t. There is a broad variety of different certifications you can get to become a nutritionist. So, the difference between dietitians and nutritionists is that all dietitians are nutritionists, but not all nutritionists are dietitians. So, why is that?

According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, dietitians are considered nutrition experts. To be a dietitian you have to hold a minimum of a bachelor’s degree, completed a 1200 hour supervised practice internship program, and have passed a national exam to be credentialed as an RD (registered dietitian) or RDN (registered dietitian nutritionist). Many continue their education and receive a master’s or doctorate in nutrition science. 

Dietitians evaluate your health and nutritional needs and then provide an individualized nutrition plan to obtain your optimal health. Dietitians can determine your energy and nutrient needs. They can provide one-on-one private counseling. They can help create menus and healthy food choices based on your current health status. They can provide the education needed to better control your blood pressure, cholesterol, or diabetes through your diet. 

Dietitians are amazing in my opinion! Our background prepares us to work almost anywhere in the community, public health, research, education, food service, or health care. Many specialize and receive specialized credentials in sports nutrition, diabetes, nutrition support, pediatrics, or renal nutrition. 

Recently, it was announced that to become a dietitian was going to require a master's in addition to the bachelor’s degree, the 1200 hour internship program, and passing the RD exam. Becoming an RD is hard work! I spent hours upon hours studying, working unpaid, cleaning up kitchens, taking care of patients, and being at the Kentucky Football practice field at 7am to provide nutrition before and after practice. A lot of effort goes into getting those credentials and to toot our own horns, the majority of us know what we are doing. We know how to provide individualized nutrition to fit YOUR genetic blueprint. You can follow influencers and nutritionists that promote detox teas or disordered eating, but in the end you will not get the same results. We are all different and working with a dietitian to achieve your health goals is one way to find what works best for you! We aren’t the scary food police you’ve heard about.