The term "nutritionist" describes those who work in the areas of food preparation, patient care, weight loss counseling, alternative medicine therapy, private practice and nutrition program management. Professionals with the title of "nutritionist" can have a variety of educational backgrounds. If you are looking for a nutritionist to help you with anything from weight loss to performance, it is important to look for a qualified nutritionist.
Credentials
Some registered dietitians, or RDs, and dietetic technicians, registered, or DTRs, call themselves nutritionists. These professionals must have a bachelor's degree in dietetics, which provides them an extensive education in nutrition, chemistry and human physiology. They must also undergo an internship with accompanying coursework and must pass a comprehensive exam. The titles of RD and DTR can only be used by nutrition professionals licensed by the Commission on Dietetic Registration of the American Dietetic Association.
Red Flags
Unfortunately, the field of nutrition includes quackery, along with its responsible professionals. Individuals may call themselves nutritionists, but have no formal education to back it up. Protect yourself by watching out for red flags, such as quick fixes, claims that sound too good to be true, recommendations based on a single source of information, potential dangerous side effects of recommendations, cookie-cutter approaches or recommendations geared around supplement or food sales.
Questions to Ask
During your first visit to a nutritionist, ask plenty of questions so that you get a full picture of the practice as a whole. Ask about the nutritionist's credentials. From where did he graduate? Is he licensed by the American Dietetic Association? What other credentials does he have? Ask about the practice philosophies. How do they determine appropriate nutritional recommendations? What assessments do they use before making suggestions? Get a list of references to call. Is there a high level of customer satisfaction?
Services
A qualified nutritionist will teach you how to make proper food choices to attain your goals. Your first session or two most likely will consist of assessment. Your nutritionist will ask you to keep an accurate three-day food record. Your nutritionist may also perform a baseline assessment, including weight and circumference measurements. She may also ask for your latest blood workup. From there, based on your goals, your nutritionist will work with you to help you reach your goals. You can determine how often you would like to schedule an appointment, based on your budget.
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