Health News Blog

By eDiets Staff

When you’re not feeling well, you go to an expert: your doctor. When you have a toothache, you go to an expert: your dentist. When your car breaks down, you go to an expert: your car mechanic. When it comes to your weight, who should you turn to?

If you said "nutritionist" or "nutrition counselor," you could be putting your weight-loss goals – and perhaps even your health – at risk.

The terms "nutritionist" and "counselor" are not regulated. Your next door neighbors can put up a sign tomorrow announcing they are nutritionists. Nutrition companies can likewise put their employees through a program and, after just a few hours of coursework, proclaim they are nutrition professionals.

The right answers are Registered Dietitian (RD), Dietetic Technician, Registered (DTR) or Licensed Dietitian/Nutritionist (LD/N). Each of these disciplines requires many hours of study followed by rigorous examination to be permitted to work as a registered or licensed nutrition professional.

Why Training is Important
A registered and licensed nutrition professional is taught the science of nutrition and how to tailor this science to your everyday life.

For example, one of the most common problems people face is hitting a wall; after several weeks of losing weight, they may stop. This is called "reaching a plateau" and is one of the biggest reasons why people fall off their diets.

A registered, licensed nutrition professional understands the many factors that can cause you to reach a plateau and devise strategies to help you overcome it. It may not be as simple as just saying, “You can do it!” Encouragement is always a key factor, but only one piece of your weight-loss puzzle. An RD, LD/N or DTR understands how individual calorie needs, eating patterns, exercise and other lifestyle factors work together to help you break through that plateau or wall.

They can also guide you into understanding choices that may not be black and white. For example, you’re at home craving a sweet treat. Which is the better choice: a ½-cup of low-fat chocolate frozen yogurt or four chocolate kisses?

The answer goes beyond calories (they both have 100 calories). A registered, licensed professional can discuss with you what fits the best on your chosen meal plan, will satisfy your sweet tooth and will even be able to offer alternatives. Did you consider a cup of sliced strawberries with a tablespoon of chocolate sauce drizzled on top?

Becoming a Professional
If you chose to manage your weight with one of the meal plans at eDiets.com, you’re choosing to go to the expert. That’s because eDiets.com Nutrition Team consists of Registered Dietitians (RD), Dietetic Technicians, Registered (DTR) and Licensed Dietitian/Nutritionists (LD/N). eDiets.com takes your commitment to your health and reaching your healthy weight by only employing the best experts in the field of nutrition.

To become a registered dietitian, you must complete a 4-year bachelor degree in a nutrition-related field (including nutrition, dietetics, food science or public health). After earning the degree, an individual must complete an additional 900-hour intensive dietetic internship and pass a national, professional level exam. Once they’ve earned their Registered Dietitian credentials, they must maintain and continue to develop their knowledge by earning continuing education every year. A Licensed Nutritionist has completed these same requirements at the state level.

A Dietetic Technician is also a registered nutrition professional and goes through a similar education experience. They earn a 2-year associate degree in a nutrition related field and complete a 450-hour intensive internship. They also must pass a national, professional level exam and complete continuing education yearly. Dietetic Technicians work with Registered Dietitians in many settings including counseling.

They will use their education and experience to separate the facts from fiction. They understand that if something sounds too good to be true (like fast weight loss with no lifestyle change); usually it is too good to be true.

Pamela Ofstein, MS, RD, LD/N and eDiets.com Director of Nutrition Services, says "Our team of Nutrition Specialists are the experts, backed by their education and credentials, who can help you reach your goals. Whether it is weight loss, meal planning, a nutrition questions, or simply need some nutrition advice – we are here to lend our expertise and help you succeed.

Want to make eating right easier? Join eDiets now to get everything you need to lose weight! Sign up now and save 25%!

Labels: dieting, dieting help, Nutrition, nutrition team