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All about the role of a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist

healthy food
Need some guidance on healthy eating? Meeting with Registered Dietitian Nutritionist can help.
By Ashley McCartney, MOVE Coordinator, Clinical Dietitian

You may have heard about dietitians on the news or in popular culture, but what can meeting with a dietitian do for you? Read on to find out!

What is an RDN?

  • RDN is an acronym for Registered Dietitian Nutritionist
  • An RDN is a food and nutrition expert with a degree from an accredited dietetics program, who completed a supervised practice requirement, passed a national exam and continue professional development throughout their careers
  • An RDN may also hold specialty credentials in sports dietetics, pediatric nutrition, renal nutrition, oncology nutrition, gerontological nutrition
  • Board-certified specialists are credentialed by the Commission on Dietetic Registration, the credentialing agency for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

 

 Where can an RDN work?

  • Hospitals, HMOs or other healthcare facilities
  • Foodservice industry
  • Private practice
  • Under contract with certain food companies
  • Community and public health settings
  • Sports nutrition and corporate wellness companies
  • Universities and medical centers
  • Research areas in  food and pharmaceutical companies=

 

Benefits of Consulting with an RDN

  • To learn about healthy eating
  • Develop a healthy relationship with food
  • Medical Nutrition Therapy for disease states such as diabetes, weight management, cardiovascular, food allergies and intolerances, GI, renal, oncology, eating disorders
  • Understand how adequate, nutrition impacts  other, functions of the body

Ashley R. McCartney, MS, RDN, LDN, is a clinical dietitian at VA Illiana Health Care System.

Reach out to your dietitian for more information! Call 217-554-4676 for an appointment.

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