Knoxville Diets | Knoxville Weight Loss | Knoxville Registered Dietitian

Registered Dietitian (RD)

· a "food and nutrition expert who has met the minimum academic and professional requirements to qualify for the credential RD" as defined by the American Dietetic Association

· a professional who provides scientific evidence based, objective nutrition information. The nutritional information you are given by an RD is not subject to current fads and wild claims.

Registered Dietitian's must meet the following criteria to earn the RD credentials:

· Complete a minimum of bachelor’s degree in nutrition / dietetics at an accredited college or university

· Complete a post graduate accredited supervised practice program that typically runs six to twelve month in length

· Pass a national examination administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR)

· Complete continuing professional educational requirements to maintain registration status

Many RD's hold Masters Degrees and specialized certifications.

Now….something to consider…if dietitians are the “food and nutrition experts” what exactly is a nutritionist? What requirements do they fulfill to gain the title of nutritionist?

There is no legal definition for the term nutritionist. For this reason, anyone can call himself or herself by that title. A nutritionist however, is commonly defined as a person who advises people on dietary matters relating to health, wellbeing and optimal nutrition. “Self-identified” nutritionists may have varying levels of education, and can be someone with little education or someone who may have the equivalent of a master’s degree in Physiology, Biology, or even a non health related concentration such as History. Needless to say, these individuals have not received the same specialized, formally accredited education and training as a registered dietitian.

Why do some RD’s refer to themselves as “nutritionists”? Most likely it is because the general population can identify with this term more easily. The most important credential to look for is RD.

What is an RD?