As 2021 marks 30 years of being an RDN, I thought Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) Day would be a good time to reminisce. I decided on a degree in Dietetics when I was in college, because it was at that time that I started working out and eating right and I wanted to share that with others. If I was going to do something every day for the rest of my life, I wanted to do something I enjoyed. I am fortunate to have a career I am passionate about.
In the last 30 years I have seen the field of nutrition, health and wellness grow to a place where I never imagined it would go. Health and nutrition are mainstream today. Everyone wants to be involved in the field in some way or another. Social media has changed how that information is delivered.
However, please remind yourself that just because it is on the Internet doesn’t make it true. Before you jump on the next diet craze, ask questions! Where is this person getting their information? How qualified is this person to give nutrition information?
A registered dietitian (RD) or registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) has completed multiple layers of education and training established by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND).
All RDs or RDNs must:
- Get a four-year Bachelors degree in Dietetics or Nutrition from a university or college that offers an accredited nutrition curriculum.
- Complete an extensive supervised internship/clinical program at a health care facility, food service organization or community agency.
- Pass a rigorous board exam.
- Complete fifteen mandatory continuing education hours each year to stay accredited.
I continue to learn, to read, and to take courses to keep up with the changes that take place in the field. Not because I have to (which I do), but because I have a passion for it. I keep an open mind about the latest and greatest, and in the end, I will provide my clients with the most accurate information to fit their personal life and goals.
Yes, 30 years later, I continue to love what I do.