“Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.” ~ Hippocrates
Registered Dietitian Nutritionist - RDN
RDNs are food and nutrition experts who can translate the science of nutrition into practical solutions for healthy living. They are nationally credentialed and are an integral part of health care and food service management teams.
Differences between RDN and Nutritionist
- RDNs work with healthy and sick people while nutritionists are limited to healthy individuals only.
- The term “dietitian” is regulated while “nutritionist” is not meaning anyone can call themselves a nutritionist.
- Both study similar subjects at the start but RDNs must study more in-depth and science related topics.
- Many times RDNs and Nutritionists work in different work settings.
To learn more about these differences read the article below:
To have a better understanding of what an RDN must know and understand we will take a look at a few basic concepts and practices used in the field of nutrition. Once you have reviewed this content you will take a few online quizzes and complete two self-assessments to develop your own personal health goal.
The Basics of Nutrition - The 5 Food Groups
Fruits
Fruits provide nutrients vital for health and maintenance of your body and are naturally low in fat, sodium and calories and all are free of cholesterol.
The amount of fruit you need to eat depends on age, sex, and level of physical activity. The amount each person needs can vary between 1 and 2 cups each day.
Nutrients and their Benefits:
- Potassium helps maintain healthy blood pressure
- Dietary fiber helps reduce cholesterol levels and keeps you feeling full longer
- Vitamin C important for growth and repair of all body tissues
- Folate helps the body form red blood cells and can reduce birth defects
Vegetables
Eating vegetables as part of an overall healthy diet can reduce risks of some chronic diseases and provides nutrients vital for health and maintenance of your body. Vegetables are also naturally low in fat and calories.
The amount of vegetables you need to eat depends on your age, sex, and level of physical activity. The amount each person needs can vary between 1 and 3 cups each day.
Nutrients and their benefits:
- Vitamin A keeps eyes and skin healthy and provides protection from infections
- Potassium helps maintain healthy blood pressure
- Dietary fiber helps reduce cholesterol levels and keeps you feeling full longer
- Vitamin C important for growth and repair of all body tissues
- Folate helps the body form red blood cells and can reduce birth defects
Grains
Eating grains, especially whole grains, provides health benefits. People who eat whole grains as part of a healthy diet have a reduced risk of some chronic diseases. Grains provide many nutrients that are vital for the health and maintenance of our bodies.
The amount of grain foods you need to eat depends on your age, sex, and level of physical activity. The amount each person needs can vary between 3 and 8 ounce-equivalents each day -- at least half of the grains you eat should be whole grains.
Nutrients and their benefits:
- B Vitamins (thiamin, riboflavin, and niacin) important to metabolism by helping the body release energy from protein, fat, and carbohydrates and helps maintain a healthy nervous system
- Folate helps the body form red blood cells and can reduce birth defects
- Iron carries oxygen in the blood
- Magnesium is used to build bones and releasing energy from muscles
- Selenium protects cells from oxidation and supports a health immune system
Protein
Foods in the meat, poultry, fish, eggs, nuts, and seed group provide nutrients that are vital for health and maintenance of your body. However, choosing foods from this group that are high in saturated fat and cholesterol may have health implications.
The amount of protein foods you need to eat depends on age, sex, and level of physical activity. The amount each person needs can vary between 2 and 6½ ounce-equivalents each day.
Nutrients and their benefits:
- B Vitamins (thiamin, riboflavin, and niacin) important to metabolism by helping the body release energy from protein, fat, and carbohydrates and helps maintain a healthy nervous system
- Iron carries oxygen in the blood
- Magnesium is used to build bones and releasing energy from muscles
- Cholesterol is only found in foods from animal sources limit your intake of egg yolks and organ meats to keep cholesterol at a healthy level
Dairy
Consuming dairy products is important for building and maintaining strong bones. Foods in the Dairy Group provide nutrients that are vital for health and maintenance of your body.
The amount of dairy foods you need each day depends on your age and can vary between 1 ½ to 2 cups for toddlers, 2 ½ cups for children under 10 and 3 cups for older children through adults.
Nutrients and their benefits:
- Calcium builds strong bones and teeth and helps maintain bone strength as you grow older
- Potassium helps maintain healthy blood pressure
- Vitamin D helps the body maintain proper levels of calcium and phosphorous
Assessing Eating Habits
RDNs survey patients to determine how they can help them improve their health, manage a chronic condition, or to build healthy habits. Take the three assessment below, read the results and identify two to three areas you can improve in. The last assessment will assist you in setting a SMART goal.
Additional Careers in Nutrition
There are many career options available in the exciting and rewarding field of nutrition. You may choose a career in nutrition after experiencing the way healthy food makes you feel. Or you may want to learn how to help people lose weight through responsible eating habits, or help others manage a chronic medical condition with appropriate dietary choices.
A career in nutrition can take place in many different work settings, like offices, labs, hospitals, schools, corporations, restaurants and other places where food exists in some form.
Click the links below to learn more about these career opportunities:
Explore the K12 Career Education Navigator
The K12 Career Technical Education (CTE) Navigator helps you explore high school courses and career pathways offered across San Bernardino and Riverside Counties. Browse by industry sector, county, school district, and more to find options that match your interests and career goals and see how these pathways can prepare you for college, certifications, apprenticeships, or the workforce.
Credits:
Created with images by Unknown - "Photo gratuite: Légumes, Végétalien, En Bonne Santé ..." • TeeFarm - "cook healthy food" • blende12 - "eat food remove" • silviarita - "fruit watermelon fruits" • Unknown - "Variety Of Vegetables On Display · Free Stock Photo" • shixugang - "cereals cup muesli" • RitaE - "ham smoke bacon" • Daria-Yakovleva - "milk dairy products pitcher" • silviarita - "salad fruits berries" • JillWellington - "radishes veggies vegetables" • Engin_Akyurt - "woman book read"