A registered dietitian (RD) would most likely be your best bet. Anyone can call themselves a nutritionist. An RD has to have a nutrition degree (bachelor's or master's) plus has undergone a post-graduate internship and has passed a registration exam. Not to mention, RDs have to complete 75 continuing education units every 5 years to keep current on nutrition topics. RDs also use evidence-based information and adhere to practice guidelines set forth by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
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The best way to do this is to look up registered dietitians in your area. They have been through accredited schooling programs and had to pass a test to be certified. They will be the best experts when it comes to nutrition. Most doctors won't have the nutrition knowledge that a registered dietitian will.
A dietitian is someone who has at least a 4 year degree in the field of dietetics or nutrition. They are also required to complete an internship and pass certain tests. A nutritionist is a more broad term that can cover any array of persons who have received a degree, or even people who just have learned a large amount about nutrition. So basically, a dietitian typically has more schooling and knowledge than a nutritionist.
who is qualified to make evaluations of the nutritional health of people
There are various types of nutritionist and dietitians with many different areas of practice.Some of the titles under dietitian and nutritionist are as follows.Sports NutritionistRegistered DietitianLicensed NutritionistBariatric NutritionistCancer NutritionistClinical Dietitian & NutritionistCommunity NutritionistChildrens NutritionistCulinary Arts / NutritionFamily NutritionistHolistic Nutritionist / HomoeopathistNaturopathic NutritionistNutrition ConsultantNutrition CounselorNutrition CoachPersonal Trainer / Fitness NutritionistPrenatal NutritionistNutritionist or Dietitian AssistantThe most common areas of practice within the nutrition field are as follows:Private PracticeHospitalsOutpatient clinicsCommunity clinicsLong and short-term care facilitiesCommunity support agenciesResearch institutesRetail nutrition and wellness centersPrivate communitiesEducational institutionsHospitality including hotels and resortsConsulting companies and agenciesGovernment agencies
A nutritionist is an expert in nutrition. That is to say, what you eat or don't eat.
Dietitians are health professionals who specialize in human nutrition, meal planning, Economics and preparation. Nutritionist is an accepted title but less so than a Dietitian.
I recommend using a book that has been written by a registered dietitian. They are the nutrition specialists and would have the most credible information to give.
The short answer is yes. A registered dietitian (the official term for "nutritionist") has completed a 4 year bachelor's degree from an accredited university and fulfilled the requirements (an internship) to take a national registration exam. A 4 year nutrition degree has the basic core sciences as well as advanced sciences like anatomy and biochemistry.
To become a dietitian, one must be enrolled in a university that is accredited by the American Dietetic Association (ADA), complete the curriculum for the university and the ADA, upon graduation they can obtain a master's degree in the health field and then they must sit for the exam. Once they pass the exam then they will be a registered dietitian. Most states require a nutritionist or dietitian to be licensed to practice in their state by joining the local dietitian association. This usually take 5-6 years to complete. A nutritionist can obtain their knowledge by reading up on their own to gain information or they can take a short course in nutrition. These are not usually accredited and tend to be biased or used to sell products to the consumer. however, there is a course to become a certified clinical nutritionist(CCN) which requires 2 years of schooling and 1 year of clinical work, which is a very intense course work.
There are a number of places you can get more information about fitness nutrition. One would be from a registered dietitian. Another great resource would be someone who works at a place like GNC. http://www.4fitnessnutrition.com/
CSR is Certified Specialist in Renal Nutrition. It is acheived by studying and passing a specialty exam through the Commission on Dietetic Registration, the credentialing agency for Registered Dietitians and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics(formerly known as the American Dietetic Association).CD is Certified Dietitian which is used by some states to indicate a Registered Dietitian. Other states use LD (Licensed Dietitian).