Good nutrition is an important part of overall wellness; it fuels our bodies and supports a healthy lifestyle. Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) are in the business of food and have completed multiple layers of education and training that enables them to provide the highest level of nutrition counseling. RDNs have knowledge in a variety of topics relating to nutrition such as managing chronic diseases, food allergies, weight, and meal planning for example. If you visit with an RDN, you will receive personally tailored advice that fits your lifestyle. RDNs work in a variety of different settings including hospitals, schools, nursing homes, fitness centers, foodservice, food industry, community, universities, research and private practice for example. No matter the setting, all RDNs share the same goal of providing expert, science-based food and nutrition related advice.
Why Visit?
While there are many reasons to visit a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, here are some of the most common:
- Diabetes, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure: In a clinical setting, RDNs are an important part of the health care team. They can help you safely change your eating plan without having to compromise taste or nutrition.
- Gastric bypass surgery: Whether you are thinking of having or have already undergone gastric bypass surgery, RDNs can help you ensure that you are getting the right amount of nutrients your body needs. RDNs are there to assist and guide you with the challenge of managing a new eating plan fit for your needs before and after surgery.
- Digestive problems: RDNs work with the healthcare team to develop an eating plan that is individualized to your specific condition and lifestyle.
- Pregnancy: Proper nutrition before and during pregnancy and achieving a healthy weight gain will help to lower the risk of pregnancy complications and neural tube or spinal cord birth defects for the baby. A RDN can help make sure you get important nutrients like folate. They can also provide advice ways to achieve a healthy weight gain during pregnancy.
- Breastfeeding: An RDN can help you find ways to get enough iron, vitamin D, fluoride and B vitamins when breastfeeding.
- Eating disorders: RDNs work with a team of professionals to assist with eating disorders like anorexia, bulimia, and overweight issues.
- Needing to lose or gain weight: RDNs can help you find ways to include additional calorie sources for healthy weight gain or suggest ways to decrease calories along with regular physical activity for weight loss.
- Caring for an aging parent: RDNs can help inform you and your loved one about food and drug interactions, proper hydration, special diets for hypertension and changing taste buds.
- Wanting to eat smarter: There is plenty of nutrition advice out there and RDNs can help you sort through the misinformation. RDNs provide information on how to read food labels at supermarkets, help you discover that healthy cooking is inexpensive, learn how to eat out without ruining your eating plan, and how to resist unhealthy temptations at work, home, and special events.
- Sports performance: Along with a team of professionals, RDNs can help athletes set goals to achieve results though proper nutrition.
The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics would assist you in finding a dietitian in your area if you should have any questions about a particular dietary concern or like further information on Registered Dietitian Nutritionist’ services offered in your community. Your health care provider also may be a resource for dealing with specific health related issues related to dietary concerns.
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