Definition: A nutritional professional who has:
- received at least a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university (or foreign equivalent)
- met academic requirements for a Didactic Program in Dietetics (a program approved by the American Dietetic Association's accreditation commission)
- completed at least 900 supervised practice hours of approved, preprofessional experience
- passed the Registration Examination for Dietitians
- completed 75 hours of approved continuing professional education every five years
A registered dietitian differs from a nutritionist in that anyone can call himself or herself a nutritionist, even if the person has received no formal training.
Pronunciation: DIE-uh-TISH-en
Also Known As: RD
Common Misspellings: dietician
Examples: Miriam had a friend who knew a lot about nutrition, but she knew she needed to consult a registered dietitian when she learned she had an eating disorder so that she could get expert, professional advice.
