Top Reasons Why It Is Important to Meet with a Registered Dietitian
What is a registered dietitian?
A registered dietitian is a health professional who has a degree in nutritional science, completed a supervised internship of at least 1200 hours, and passed the RD exam. Registered dietitians are food and nutrition experts who are qualified to relay nutritional science into real life strategies for those seeking guidance on nutrition and lifestyle.
What is the difference between a registered dietitian and a nutritionist?
Anyone can call themselves a nutritionist – in fact, many do. A registered dietitian (RD) has gone through extensive training and supervised practice in order to sit for the RD exam. After passing the RD exam, the RD receives his or her credential! An RD provides evidence-based nutrition advice grounded in nutritional science and research.
What is the role of a registered dietitian?
Personalized Nutrition Guidance
Registered dietitians provide personalized nutrition guidance based on an individual’s needs, health status and lifestyle. There is not a “one-size-fits-all” approach to one’s personal nutrition needs, so an RD can help tailor meal planning to fit certain conditions like diabetes, high cholesterol, weight management, digestive issues or gut health.
Nutrition Education and Support
Registered dietitians provide education on various topics. Whether you want to learn about what to eat for certain disease conditions or what the best diet is for weight loss. Maybe you want to learn how to read a food label or navigate health claims and diet trends. An RD will help you sort through all the noise and provide evidence to support certain claims.
Health Promotion Disease Prevention
Registered dietitians help individuals learn how to adjust their diets to prevent many lifestyle related diseases. Maybe you have relatives with a medical history of diabetes or heart disease or you want to know how to decrease your risk of preventing those diseases. Meeting with an RD can help set you on the right path.
Guidance for specialized populations
There are many transitions in our lifetime that can impact what we eat. For example, a registered dietitian is able to provide guidance to individuals who are pregnant or breastfeeding to meet their increased energy needs or perhaps if that individual develops gestational diabetes and needs a specific meal plan to lower blood sugars. As we get older, our nutrition needs change and an RD can help you make adjustments to your specific diet that will help you in your current life stage.
Are Registered Dietitians covered by insurance?
Yes! Under the Affordable Care Act, a registered dietitian’s services are covered as a preventative medical service. Most nutrition visits are fully covered by your insurance company, often with $0 in copays. Some coverage varies by plan and may need a referral. It is best to reach out to your insurance provider to determine your full benefits (coverage and how many visits are covered per year).
Can Registered Dietitians do Telehealth?
Yes, you can see a registered dietitian through telehealth. I use a HIPAA compliant telehealth platform where we will hold our nutrition counseling sessions. There, we will communicate securely through the portal, schedule sessions, and receive handouts and other personalized attachments.
Final Thoughts
There are many benefits to meeting with a registered dietitian including personalized nutrition recommendations, nutrition education and support, and guidance based on different life stages. These days, virtual visits make seeing a dietitian a no-brainer! You can log in from the comfort of your own home and you don’t have to waste time with travel and parking. Contact me if you are interested in learning more about my practice.
