As obesity continues to skyrocket in the United States for both children and adults, people often wonder what they should be eating and what’s good for them. Conflicting information about diets (protein, protein-free, ‘good’ carbs, ‘bad’ carbs, trans fat, etc.) continues to confuse most media listeners. Nutritionists can help decipher the facts and myths of 21st century nutrition and food, and help determine the best foods to eat.
Nutritionists are health care specialists who help answer questions about nutrition, health, and diet. Based on their knowledge and experience, they can give advice on what to eat for preventative nutrition or certain illnesses and healthy foods, establish healthy eating guidelines, and help with meal and menu planning.
As the population continues to age, more and more people seek the advice of nutritionists for solid information on what to eat. Many diseases, such as digestive problems, diabetes, heart disease, osteoporosis, and obesity, can be improved or controlled through healthy eating. Athletes and children also see nutritionists on a regular basis so they can improve sports performance or address health issues at a younger age.
The terms nutritionists and dieticians are sometimes used interchangeably, which can cause confusion; A registered dietitian is a licensed health care worker who has completed a bachelor’s degree and has passed a national exam administered by the American Dietetic Association (ADA). A dietitian does the same duties as a nutritionist, but may be more involved with meal planning aspects in hospitals, nursing homes, and schools.
Registered dietitians are certified by the American Board of Nutrition or the Board for Certification of Nutrition Specialists and have advanced degrees in nutrition or medicine. If a person is not certified, they may not have the proper credentials in terms of formal education or training. If you are consulting a nutritionist, ask to see her credentials. There are certificate programs that people can take that will provide formal education, but may not be recognized by the state.
For those struggling with weight or health issues, a visit to a nutritionist is a must. They can give good advice and develop guidelines and meal plans based on a person’s health and lifestyle. Individual nutritional advice can be much more effective than general suggestions, as it is designed specifically for an individual. It is especially important to involve children with nutritionists if they have health or weight problems, as habits can be more easily reformed at a younger age.
Nutritional information in the 21st century is a confusing mass of information where conflicting ideas, diets and advice abound. It is extremely difficult to distinguish what is right and what is wrong. Talk to trained nutritionists to find out which foods are right for you and how you can become healthier through what you eat.
