02 Mar Where do YOU get YOUR nutrition information?

March is National Nutrition Month. Sure, I could list a slew of common nutrition tid bids such as healthy snacking, feeding a picky eater, mercury in fish, how to cut 1o0 calories a day, etc. etc. But, I want to know-what do YOU want to know?

Clearly, people are getting their nutrition information from the Internet and I’d like to do my part to make sure that the information you are getting is credible, reliable and science based information. As a point of reference, someone sent me information today on the burrito diet. Yep, the burrito diet. I could even be a distributor for the burrito diet and make thousands each month…..

A 2009 study from the National Grocers Association Consumer Panel Survey, conducted by SupermarketGuru.com, found that when consumers were asked where they learn about nutrition issues on a regular basis, the top source was…drum roll please……

The Internet (70%)

Following that were:
Television-67%
Newspapers-40%
Supermarkets-32%
Books-32%
Friends and Family-31%
Doctors 24%
NUTRITIONIST/DIETITIANS-14%

Consumers were also asked which sources they TRUSTED the most.
Again, the Internet ranked highest at 26%
Followed by:
Doctors 17%
NUTRITIONISTS/DIETITIANS 12%
tied with
Magazines 12%
Friends and Family 8%
Books 6%
Newspapers 5%
Grocery stores 3%
Other 4%
Online Communities 3%

Certainly, some of the information people get from the internet is credible, science based, reliable information. Dietitians are interviewed daily for TV shows, articles, blogs, podcasts, news stories, consumer and professional publications and books. Many dietitians have their own websites, blogs, podcasts, books and have substantial internet followings as well.

Folks, let me just ask you this—does your mom, dad, brother, aunt, niece, sister, mother-in law or grandfather have this education to support their nutrition recommendations?

Registered dietitians (RDs) are food and nutrition experts who have met the following criteria to earn the RD credential:

• Complete a minimum of a bachelor’s degree at a U.S. regionally accredited university or college and course work approved by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education (CADE) of the American Dietetic Association (ADA).
• Complete a CADE-accredited supervised practice program at a healthcare facility, community agency, or a foodservice corporation, or combined with undergraduate or graduate studies. Typically, a practice program will run six to twelve months in length.
• Pass a national examination administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR).
• 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/or other medical and nutrition organizations and are recognized within the profession, but are not required.

In addition to RD credentialing, many states have regulatory laws for dietitians and nutrition practitioners. Frequently these state requirements are met through the same education and training required to become an RD.

For YOUR health and well being, its imperative that the sources you go to for nutrition are from credible, reliable and science based sources. If you need help finding that, let me know and I will find you the information you need from a vast array of nutrition professionals from around the country. Go to www.eatright.org to find a dietitian in your area.