Dear Readers: This piece from Kristin is an important read for everyone and anyone who cares about their nutrition and health, and wants to have an edge up on vetting a practitioner for nutrition guidance. And even if you think you don’t care all that much, I bet you’ll walk away with a new knowledge bomb. —Dina
[~4 minute read]
Twenty-one years ago, my husband and I divorced. It wasn’t a contentious dissolution, and I filed all the necessary paperwork myself. I was also training for my first marathon during that time and doing a lot of shorter-course racing--mostly 5 and 10ks. Occasionally, I won.
Despite having raced and won a fair bit over those years, I wouldn’t say it qualified me to be an athletic coach, any more than going through a divorce qualified me to give legal advice. And yet....
...and yet, in the field of nutrition, where I’ve worked for over fifteen years, there are countless numbers of people claiming to be nutrition experts, with impressive-sounding titles, and without any formal higher education, training, or expertise. I’ve seen Certified Nutrition Counselors, Certified Fitness Nutritionists, Metabolic Coaches, Master Certified Sports Nutrition Coaches, Board Certified Nutrition Coaches, Certified Nutrition Therapists, and Certified Holistic Nutrition Counselors, just to name a few. It’s enough to make your head spin.
These accomplished-sounding “experts” look good on paper, and they certainly convince a lot of people to pay good money for their services, but the reality is that most “certifications'' can be purchased--either by taking a few unaccredited courses, or by simply joining an organization. Regrettably, there is no professional regulation of these terms in some states, including my own state of Colorado, where anybody can string together a bunch of fancy-schmancy “credentials”--even if they’re self-taught and professionally uncertified, and hang a proverbial shingle. Yes, it’s a big problem.
Sadly, these individuals exploit your trust by holding themselves out as nutrition experts, without any actual formal education, training, or professional credentialing. And yes, their biographies are sometimes compelling--stories about regained health and vitality after years of disease and misdiagnosis through clean eating and avoiding gluten, for example. But...but, personal experience alone is not a professional qualification, and reputable nutritional counseling and nutrition therapy are far more complex and nuanced than the one-size-fits-all approach I often see from unqualified and self-taught practitioners.
What should you do and why does it matter?
Start by clicking here to see what the regulations are in your state. Some US states regulate the profession, others do not. Then, look for a “Registered Dietitian” or “Registered Dietitian Nutritionist” (RDN) who specializes in your area of concern, whether it's sports nutrition, irritable bowel syndrome, or an auto-immune disease. Why? Because working with an RDN ensures you are getting up-to-date expert advice and guidance. Using this database also ensures that,
“...consumers are able to identify...qualified professionals who demonstrate the knowledge, skill and competency necessary to provide safe and ethical nutrition therapy.” Furthermore, licencing laws “help consumers identify who is a qualified practitioner. Some individuals are not qualified...because they lack the objective accredited education, experience and examination demonstrating their competency…” (eatright.org)
Registered Dietitians are actual nutrition experts, with extensive education and rigorous training. I will never forget the day in January, 2006 when I took the hours-long RD board exam and passed. I cried. Years and years of hard work, dedication, and perseverance had come to fruition, Finally, I had earned the right to call myself a “Registered Dietitian”.
For the athletes, you amazing athletes who work so hard and put in hour after hour after hour of training, who hire coaches and pay for massage therapists, and PTs, and gear, and gym memberships, and entry fees, and travel, and the myriad other ways you invest in getting the most out of your training, recovery, and competition, YOUR. NUTRITION. MATTERS.
Recovery matters. Solid training days matter. Having a sound competition-day nutrition plan matters. Managing a health condition matters. And hiring a Registered Dietitian who will work to carefully understand your unique goals and challenges matters. It bears repeating: Your nutrition matters.
Get the facts, latest research, best practices, and evidence-based solutions from the Registered Dietitians at The Nutrition Mechanic.
See ya on the road,
Kristin