Choosing a Nutrition Practitioner
When you are looking for responsible nutrition advice, seek out a certified professional. Always bear in mind that the simple title “nutritionist,” although used by many qualified nutrition and dietetics professionals, is a moniker that can also be adopted by virtually anyone who wants to hang up a shingle.
Be wary of bogus qualifications, as well as of what seems to be extreme dietary advice. Because irresponsible information on nutrition can be dangerous to your health, be very careful to ask specific questions and verify the practitioner’s education, training, and professional credentials.
Although most states require a license for professional dietitians, the situation is murkier for nutritionists. This is why it’s important to be sure any nutritionist you consult has one of the credentials listed above. These assure you of consistent standards of education, training, and professionalism.
If a nutritionist practices in a state that does not regulate their qualifications, you should still look for one of the above certifications, which are granted for C.C.N.s by the Clinical Nutrition Certification Board (CNCN), and for C.N.s by the National Institute of Nutritional Education.
It is also a good sign if the nutritionist is a current member of the Society of Certified Nutritionists (SCN), which is working to establish national standards of practice while promoting continuing education in the field.
Keywords: Nutrition, Food Nutrition, Diet Nutrition, Health Nutrition
