Choose a Dietitian for Help, Information
Dear Eating Right: I have a specific diet problem and I’m not sure whom I should talk to. What is the difference between a nutritionist and a registered dietitian?
--CHRIS
Dear Chris: For many years, nutrition was considered the stepchild of medicine; physicians rarely took nutrition courses. Moreover, many who called themselves nutritionists had little nutrition background. Most dietitians worked in hospitals, in administration and in food service.
Today, things are different. Many medical students study nutrition education to keep up with frequently changing and often conflicting health statements. Dietitians have private consulting practices. Some are involved in public education programs; others are responsible for developing national nutrition policies.
Registered dietitians must complete undergraduate studies, including about 70 hours of food science and nutrition courses. They must serve a one-year internship or the equivalent, and they must pass a national examination administered by ADA. This is why aregistered dietitian should be your choice for diet and health information.
But you should know that the titles “dietitian” and “licensed nutritionist” do not guarantee that a person is registered; the initials “R.D.” usually indicate registration with the American Dietetic Assn.
One way you can be sure of the credentials of the person you are considering for consultation is to contact the California Dietetic Assn. or the ADA. Both offer telephone services that allow you to ask questions of trained registered dietitians.
Recently, during National Nutrition Month, ADA offered a toll-free hot-line. Registered dietitians even answered questions from seventh-grade students who wanted information about a new lean hamburger at McDonald’s. One caller inquired about the nutrient content of chicken gizzards. There also were calls from young mothers who requested information about feeding young children and selecting baby foods. How to reduce fat in the diet was another popular topic.
Though the toll-free hot-line is no longer available, the organization’s National Center for Nutrition and Dietetics, staffed by registered dietitians and librarians, will answer your telephone calls about food and nutrition. The center’s research library includes professional journals and medical and agricultural databases. To ask questions or request brochures, call (312) 899-4853.
The Los Angeles District of the California Dietetic Assn., offers a free brochure, “Reliable Nutrition Resources.” It lists telephone numbers for nutrition contacts at hospitals, federally funded and volunteer health organizations, schools and clinics. To ask a nutrition or food related question, call (213) 459-9343. A registered dietitian will return your call within a week. For professional nutrition counseling or to obtain a referral, call (800) 234-7348.
Only questions of general interest will be printed. Eating Right cannot respond to inquiries regarding therapy for a specific ailment, nor is this column designed to replace medical advice. Send diet and health questions to Eating Right, Food Section, The Times, Times Mirror Square, Los Angeles 90053.