Not all nutrition information is created equal

A recent segment on Good Morning America is a hot topic of conversation among registered dietitians due to inaccurate information that was presented to the public by a self-proclaimed “nutritionist” during the interview. 

 

Hearing that someone is a “nutritionist” often makes the public think that they’re educated and trained in nutrition science and health issues. But in many states, titles like “nutritionist” and “diet counselor” are not regulated, so terms like these are used by people who are not qualified to give accurate nutrition advice. Many “nutritionists” have little if any actual nutrition training or just mail-order credentials. Even if a person holds degrees from accredited institutions, nutrition may not be his or her specialty.

 

So who is the qualified nutrition expert? When you need trusted, accurate, timely and practical advice, seek the advice of a registered dietitian.

 

With required college degrees in nutrition, dietetics, public health or related fields such as biochemistry, medicine or a nutrition specialty in family and consumer sciences, from accredited colleges and universities, RDs know the science of nutrition. And to earn the RD credential, they must perform a supervised internship, pass an extensive examination administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration and earn professional education credits throughout their careers to maintain registration.

 

With their education and experience, RDs have the skills and knowledge to translate nutrition science into practical meal planning. A registered dietitian can assist with eating disorders; work with your health-care team by helping you change your eating plan pre- or post-surgery; and help you set goals for athletic performance – whether you’re running a marathon or jogging with your dog.

 

The next time you hear nutrition advice on television, or see a diet book that looks like it might help you lose those last 10 pounds, take a closer look to make sure the information is coming from the qualified expert in food and nutrition science: a registered dietitian.

 

Visit ADA at http://www.eatright.org to locate a registered dietitian near you.

 

The American Dietetic Association is committed to improving the nation’s health and advancing the profession of dietetics through research, education and advocacy.

 

Jessie M. Pavlinac, MS, RD, CSR, LD

American Dietetic Association President

adapresident@eatright.org.

Comments

[beth]

There needs to be a Facebook button on here so RDs can post such stories to their Facebook pages.

[Taylor]

Just copy and paste the link at the top of this page (so it links to this specific story) into your facebook status. It will generate a nice preview for you to post onto your homepage on facebook.

[Sara]

Thank you for this post!

[Shelie Hartman-Gibbs R.D.]

Jessie,

Thanks for your beautifully phrased counterpoints to the misconceptions perpetuated by bites of value judgements used to sell TV instead of presenting clear messages of truth. I encourage the ADA standing for the nutrition reality not industry buy lines. Good work. Shelie from Oregon

[larry Ellingson]

I was pleased to see the dietetians actively involved at the AADE meeting in Atlanta and made connections with Dr Richard Roberts of Family Medicine , who presented The Medical Home concept on the role of the family physician.

[Lisa Nixon, RD, LD]

Thank you, thank you, thank you! Some people call this a "pet peeve" but it really is a matter of who is qualified to provide the most accurate information to our patients.

[beth]

Or someone with a 4 year nutrition degree who did not want to waste another year of their life in order to prescribe tube feeding. No offense RD's but we must evolve. UCD grad in clinical nutrition.

[Kelsey]

I agree Beth

[Kim]

I agree with some of your comments but you cannot just generalise that anyone who calls themselves a Nutritionist is not qualified!! I call myself a Nutritionist and have got a Masters in Nutritional Sciences from NYU!!!
Kim

[Stuart Katsh]

This is a good example of why the ADA should determine a way to do extensive public education about who is qualified to provide sound accurate scientific nutrition advice. We may have come a long way but,I hear this from female RDs quite a bit, many of us are still thought of as the food "lady".

Perhaps with health care reform, which has to happen eventually, the ADA can team with the government to educate people on nutrition and who is qualified to provide nutrition education.

[Kristine]

Beth -- if you had done an internship you would know that it's not another year of school to learn tube feeding. Ignorant.

[Kara]

Kim - Would you want a nurse who wasn't licensed taking care of you? How about a lawyer representing you who wasn't licensed to practice law? There's a reason for the RD credential and its distinction should be made very clear from those who have not earned it. The general public is receiving a lot of bad information from unqualified people. It's just not safe.

[Jeff]

The general public is getting bad information from the ADA. The concept of everything in moderation is ridiculous. Do you recommend smoking in moderation? Eating trans fats in moderation? What about eating red dye in moderation. Sugar? None of these are needed. All of them cause health problems. Instead of shilling for the food industry perhaps the ADA should try to change the culture in the United States by calling for a reduction of junk food consumption. Removing it from schools would be a good start. But, since the ADA is funded by the very same companies that produce the junk food, that will never happen.

[Bob]

OK, Jessie, I just saw the video. Can tell us specifically what misstatements were made in this video? The only comment she made that I could find any reliable information to dispute was the comment about the effect of soy protein isolate on the thyroid. Despite that, protein bars are not good for you. Neither are fruit snacks. Please list your sources from peer reviewed publications, including those not affiliated with the American Dietetic Association.

Also, if you could, can you please explain why it is inappropriate for the American Heart Association to give nutritional advice, specifically about their sugar intake recommendations.

Thank you for your time.

[Bob]

Sylvia Rowe is expending lot's of energy trying to justify how the ADA is funded. Basically, what Coke wants, the ADA publishes - even if it means our children will suffer. This has got to stop. The American Heart Association has published clear guidelines about sugar consumption. It is time for the ADA to call for the removal of all junk food from schools and for the elimination of all food advertising aimed at children. If dietitians really want to help people they will fight the industries that they are taking money from instead of giving them a platform to sell their products.

[Term papers]

Nice blog !!! I'm sure you had fun writing this article. Excellent entry! I'm been looking for topics as interesting as this. Looking forward to your next post...

[george]

Very informative blog. In response to degrees and actual on the job training, I'll take the on the job one. There is no subsitute for life experiences. This article is worthy of reading.

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2353632/the_absorption_factor_for_vitamins.html?cat=8

[Soft Cialis]

hello fellas, I just want to emphasize the good work on this blog, has excellent views and a clear vision of what you are looking for.

[Term papers]

I really enjoyed reading this article, this is a fantastic presentation...

[Term Papers]

Thanks for share this information, i just know about that,and will get advantage from this,Thanks for share this.