What is a Registered Dietitian?

A registered dietician (RD) is a health professional who specializes in food and nutrition. RDs have earned nationally recognized credentials, including a bachelor’s degree in food and nutrition and/or a master’s degree in nutrition, or an American dietetic internship. All registered dieticians must also pass the National Registration Exam and complete continuing education credit hours each year.

Registered dieticians are not the same as nutritionists. No specific credentials are required to be called a nutritionist. Registered or licensed dieticians are the only health professionals permitted to counsel patients on medically-necessary dietary intervention.

Health insurance often covers medical nutrition therapy (appointments with a registered dietician) when it is determined medically necessary for certain conditions. These conditions frequently include: diabetes, hypertension (high blood pressure), sleep apnea, food allergies, unexplained weight loss/gain, hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol), gastrointestinal problems, eating disorders, kidney disease, and some others. Please contact your health insurance provider to find out if they will cover our services.