RD = Nutritionist = Nutrition expert ?

If you read my profile, you may have noticed that I have some letters after my name.

I am an MS RD. But what does that mean? And why does it matter?

MS means that I have a Master of Science in Nutrition (in addition to the coursework equivalent of a second undergraduate degree in nutrition and dietetics.)

RD means that I am a registered dietitian.

Now, who can tell me what an RD is or what the credential means? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?

Is an RD just another way of saying "Nutritionist"? Is there a difference?

A RD is a health professional who has completed at least an undergraduate degree in nutrition, including a rigorous course of study in the areas of biochemistry, anatomy and physiology, medical nutrition therapy, and food science. We must also complete an internship, much like a medical doctor, which includes at least 1200 hours of supervised practice. Mine was a full-time job for 9 months. Then, to officially become an RD we must pass a national board examination, kinda like the bar exam. It tests us on basically every piece of information we ever learned during our education and training and requires months of study and preparation. Then, to keep our registration current we must complete continuing education courses regularly.

By the time we get to be an RD, we have specialized knowledge in nutrition, beyond most medical doctors or other healthcare professionals.

Many people call themselves a "nutritionist" or "nutrition expert" or "nutrition counselor" but do not have the RD credential. These people may have no educational background or supervised practice in the field. Their advice may not only be inaccurate or outdated, it could also be medically dangerous.

Have you read a diet book lately?

Take a look at the author. Is it a RD? Probably not.
It's probably a journalist (ex. Good Calories, Bad Calories), a medical doctor who may or may not have specific nutrition expertise (ex. You On A Diet), a personal trainer with absolutely no formal nutrition education or training (ex. Making the Cut), someone with just enough nutrition background to be dangerous but not a legal practitioner (ex. Fat Flush Plan), or just an average person who decided to publish their thoughts (ex. Skinny Bitch.)

I'm not saying some such books cannot be helpful and that they are all full of inaccurate information. I even endorse some books that have valuable information that were written by people outside of the field. But how does the average person know the difference?

One last thought and then I will conclude my lecture and step down from the soap box.

If you enjoy watching TV shows that follow people losing a significant amount of weight in a very short period of time (which is not healthy), please take note of who is giving the nutritional advice to the contestants before trying it at home.