Between what you hear on TV and read online, nutrition can seem confusing. Deciding what to eat, how much to eat, and when to eat can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be.
A registered dietitian (RD), or registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN), can help. During National Nutrition Month®, we introduce the Mom’s Meals RDN team and share some of the reasons individuals seek the expert, science-backed guidance and support of an RDN. Read on for more information about RDN education, training, and all the interesting aspects of this career.
What is a Registered Dietitian?
Registered dietitians or registered dietitian nutritionists are experts in the disciplines of food and nutrition. They translate the complex science of nutrition into healthy, real-world solutions for clients.
An RDN can work with you and support you in developing a realistic and sound eating plan that you can stick with for the long haul. An RDN will partner with you to identify creative and out-of-the-box strategies for meal planning, grocery shopping and mindful eating. Offering nutrition information to help you manage chronic health conditions such as high blood pressure, food allergies, heart disease, celiac disease, and diabetes is an important role that RDNs play.
Registered dietitian nutritionists draw on their science-based education and experience to provide vital food and nutrition services while helping individuals make positive lifestyle changes tailored to their unique needs.
What is Their Education?
Registered dietitian nutritionists work in many different employment settings and roughly half have advanced degrees. Some RDNs maintain certifications in specialized practice areas, such as nutrition support, pediatric nutrition and diabetes education. Some are trained chefs, so they combine culinary expertise with nutrition to present delicious and nutritious recipes.
Anyone can call themselves a nutritionist, but only an RDN has completed education and training established by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics. All RDNs must:
- Earn a four-year degree in an approved and accredited nutrition curriculum.
- Complete an extensive supervised program of practice in an internship or program of practice.
- Pass a rigorous registration exam.
- Maintain continuing education credits related to their practice throughout their career.
- What is the Role of the RD/RDN at Mom’s Meals?
What Is the Role of the RD/RDN at Mom's Meals?
At Mom’s Meals, RDNs work in the Research and Development department to calculate the nutrient content of meals, as well as provide nutrition and ingredient information to clients and staff. RD/RDNs conduct nutrition counseling telephonically with clients and assist individuals in making nutrition changes to better manage health conditions. RDNs also are part of the Sales and Marketing Department, working with agencies to establish Mom’s Meals as their home-delivered meal provider.
Where Can I Find an RDN in My Community?
Registered dietitian nutritionists work in a variety of settings including hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities, as well as school foodservice and the college environment. Some work in the retail supermarket setting or as part of research and development in manufacturing and food companies. Others have their own practice, working with clients to address eating issues, overall wellness, or specific dietary concerns. Look for cookbooks and nutrition resources authored by an RDN as a source of credible nutrition information. Possibilities for RDNs are endless as consumers become more interested in food and how it affects their health and wellbeing.
Meet the RDN team at Mom’s Meals. We love being RDNs!
At Mom’s Meals, our dietitians come from a variety of professional experiences and enjoy the opportunities to share the nutrition services of our company with clients nationwide.
Click on a photo to read valuable tips from each of the Registered Dietitians at Mom's Meals.
Amanda Daines
Mary Mahoney
Samantha Mosbrucker
Tanya Heartgrave-Klein
Jenny Norgaard
Catherine Macpherson
Brian PetKoff
Colleen Miller
Julie Gieseman
Sources
“10 Reasons to Visit an RDN”, https://www.eatright.org/food/resources/learn-more-about-rdns/10-reasons-to-visit-an-rdn, published February 18, 2020.
“Qualifications of a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist”, https://www.eatright.org/food/resources/learn-more-about-rdns/qualifications-of-a-registered-dietitian-nutritionist, published March 9, 2020.
“10 Ways An RDN Can Improve the Health of Americans”, https://www.eatright.org/food/resources/learn-more-about-rdns/10-ways-rdns-can-improve-the-health-of-americans, March 11, 2020.