Seeing a Nutritionist or Nutrition Consultant? Check out their credentials

These days just about anyone can call themselves a “nutritionist!” But what does this really mean?

There is no nationally recognized list of standards for the education, training and continuing education requirements of nutrition experts except for the registered dietitian (RD). So each state must decide what to do and many have made no decisions. To date, only the “Registered Dietitian” credential requires undergraduate or graduate education in nutritional sciences from an accredited college or university, completion of an accredited professional internship (usually 900-1000+ hours), successful completion and passing of a national registration exam - similar to that of a registered nurse (RN) - and completion of continuing professional education units every 5 years - currently set at 75 hours for registered dietitians.

So how can you protect yourself? Read more