How do you pronounce your name?

Stay-sha (like shut without the t).

What type of issues would generate a referral to a Dietitian?

Nutrition consultations are appropriate for those who would benefit from individualization of diet recommendations. People usually see a dietitian for nutritional wellness information, weight management assistance, or to learn how to manage their medical conditions with nutrition. Anyone who would benefit from an individualized approach to meal planning would benefit from a dietitian visit.

How can I benefit from working with a Registered Dietitian?

• For diabetes, cardiovascular problems or high blood pressure, an RD serves as an integral part of your health-care team by helping you safely change your eating plan without compromising taste or nutrition.

• Fewer doctor visits and decreased pharmaceutical costs.

• Improved regulation of blood sugar and cholesterol.

• To manage or decrease through nutrition, side effects associated with specific medical conditions.

• Greater control of eating behaviors to increase or decrease weight.

• If you need to gain or lose weight, a registered dietitian can suggest additional calorie sources for healthy weight gain or a restricted-calorie eating plan plus regular physical activity for weight loss while still eating all your favorite foods.

• If you want to eat smarter, a registered dietitian can help you sort through misinformation; learn how to read labels at the supermarket; discover that healthy cooking is inexpensive, learn how to eat out without ruining your eating plan and how to resist workplace temptations.

What is an RD?

A registered dietitian is a food and nutrition expert who has met the minimum academic and professional requirements to qualify for the credential “RD.” In addition to RD credentialing, many states have regulatory laws for dietitians and nutrition practitioners. State requirements frequently are met through the same education and training required to become an RD.

Registered dietitians must meet the following criteria to earn the RD credential:

-Receive a bachelor’s degree from a U.S. regionally accredited university or college and course work approved by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education of the American Dietetic Association

-Complete a CADE-accredited supervised practice program at a health-care facility, community agency or a foodservice corporation or combined with undergraduate or graduate studies. Typically, a practice program will run six to 12 months in length.

-Pass a national examination administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration

-Complete continuing professional educational requirements to maintain registration.

Some RDs hold additional certifications in specialized areas of practice, such as pediatric or renal nutrition, nutrition support and diabetes education. These certifications are awarded through CDR, the credentialing agency for ADA and other medical and nutrition organizations and are recognized within the profession but are not required. Students wishing to become registered dietitians study subjects including food and nutrition sciences, foodservice systems management, business, economics, computer science, culinary arts, sociology, communications, biochemistry, physiology, microbiology, anatomy and chemistry.

Adapted from www.EatRight.org. American Dietetic Association. Registered Dietitian Information Sheet.

Why is it important to choose a Licensed Dietitian?

Licensed Dietitians in Texas have met strict standards to become licensed. Those standards include a minimum of a Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university, post graduate supervised training of at least 900 hours, and the passing of a national registration examination. Since Licensed Dietitians are required to complete continuing education classes annually, the public can be assured that Licensed Dietitians are maintaining and upgrading their skills and knowledge in order to provide quality services and products. In Texas, the Texas State Board of Examiners of Dietitians licenses and regulates Licensed Dietitians and Provisional Licensed Dietitians. Unless the person holds an appropriate license, a person may not use the title or represent that the person has the title Licensed Dietitian or use a facsimile of that title.