DietitianBy Vienna Li

PerceptionDietitianLet food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.

– Hippocrates, Greek Physician

Many people want to achieve their health goals every day, whether it’s nourishing the body to become more energetic and radiant, properly

gaining or losing weight, or helping the body to fight off diseases – and I wanted to be the

person to assist them through proper nutrition.

OBJECTIVES

To clear misconceptions between a dietitian and

a nutritionist

To learn what it is like to be a dietitian

To research about what it takes to become a

dietitian

When I can actually love what I am doing

Dietitian?

Definition of a

“A translator of science of nutrition into the skill of furnishing optimal nourishment of people.” – the American Dietetics

Association (ADA)

Dietitian

Road to Dietetics

BACHELOR’S DEGREE4 years Nutrition/Dietetics Major Courses: physiology, chemistry,

biology, computer science, sociology, business, economics, nutrition, foodservice

EXAMINATION• the Principles of Dietetics • Nutrition Care for Individuals

and Groups • Management of Dood and

Nutrition Programs and Services • Foodservice Programs

INTERNSHIP1200 hours of Supervised Training Alternative: Coordinated Program with a Masters Degree

EMPLOYMENT• Clinical Dietetics • Food and Nutrition Management • Education and Research • Consultant/Private Practice • Business and Industry • Government/Organizations

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Duties and ExpectationsDietitians are expected to

• Explain nutrition issues and assess patients’ and clients’ dietary needs

• Develop individualized meal plans, evaluate the effects, and change accordingly

• Promote better nutrition and manage chronic diseases through community presentations

• Keep up with the latest nutritional science research

• Help navigate food allergies, sensitivities, and intolerances

Analytical

Disorganized

Approachable

Inarticulate

Motivated

My Strengths and Weaknesses

Loans and Salaries

Educational Funding

$7,000

$34,000

College (UC Davis, Financial Aid Included)Internship (National Average)

Wages in California, 2015

Hou

rly M

ean

Wag

e

$0.00$8.00

$16.00$24.00$32.00$40.00

$43.68$34.77

$17.56$12.84$10.00

Minimum WageLiving WageDietitan TechnitianRegistered DietitianRegistered Nurse

Annual Mean Salary of Dietitians in California, 2015:

$72, 320

Real Life DietitiansThe job of a registered dietitian is considerably low-stressed compared to other occupations

in the medical field. The hours are not too demanding, nor does it involve strenuous work

2FOOD MAGAZINE EDITOR

PLANT-BASED NUTRITION AUTHOR

SPEAKER

BLOGGER

SHARON PALMER, RDsharonpalmer.com

JESSIE ERWIN, RDthehappinessinhealth.com

YOUTH SUPERVISOR

CLINICAL DIETITIAN

CONSULTANT

BLOGGER

The Future of Dietitians

• being able to work at any time and hold multiple jobs

• having access to resources to increase knowledge in nutrition

• reaching clients in different regions

Increased Flexibility

• allowing dietitians to reach more patients

• providing patients with better access to healthcare because of convenience and lower costs

Expanded Coverage• saving time on commuting • increasing maximum client load

per day • easier information management • aving money on rent,

maintenance, utilities, paperwork

Streamlined Work

Realistically, no kind of technology will be able to replace the human aspect of treating patients in person, but computerizing some human-force is definitely a huge part of dietetics in the future.

The benefits of online counseling include:

Ways to Use Technology in Online Counseling • Update online health reports • Track diet and exercise progress • Meal, supplement, and exercise plans • Message boards and blogs

• E-mail newsletters • Online calculators • Customized profile • Wellness information

Thoughts on the Career

Is this job for me and do I still wish to pursue?

What to consider:

• fierce competition and challenges to meet and keep up with requirements • costly funding to get into the career

• lower salary compared to other similar occupations in the medical field

• minimal stress

• compliant working hours

• highly rewarding because of the impact on other people

YES ❑ NO ❑

Works CitedAccreditation and Education Programs Team. “Registered Dietitian Nutritionists

Educational and Professional Requirements.” Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Fact Sheet. Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 2013. Web. 20 Apr. 2016.

Aronson, Dina, RD. "High-Tech Counseling: An Untapped Market for Today's Dietitian?" Today's Dietitian 9.3 (2007): 46. Today's Dietitian. Great Valley Publishing Company. Web. 20 May 2016.

"Clinical Nutrition Major." UC Davis Department of Nutrition. Ed. Martha Amesquita. University of California, Davis, 2016. Web. 20 May 2016.

Erwin, Jessie. “A Day in the Life of a Registered Dietitian.” Web log post. The Happiness in Health. The Happiness in Health, 15 Mar. 2011. Web. 10 May 2016.

Garrity, Betty. "Dietetic Internship." UC San Diego Health. University of California, San Diego, 2016. Web. 20 May 2016.

Glasmeier, Amy K., Dr. “Living Wage Calculation for California.” Living Wage Calculator. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2016. Web. 10 May 2016.

Goldmarie, Stefanie. Strawberry Rhubarb Smoothie Jar. Digital image. Stefaniegoldmarie. Stephanie Goldmarie, 26 Apr. 2016. Web. 20 May 2016.

Kath, and Jade. Salad, Cake, Porridge, Smoothie. Digital image. Panaceas Pantry. Loving Earth, 28 Aug. 2015. Web. 20 May 2016.

Palmer, Sharon. “Plant-Based Dietitian Job Overview.” Personal interview. 24 Apr. 2016.

"Steps to Become a Registered Dietitian in California." Nutrition Education. NutritionED.org, 2016. Web. 20 May 2016.

Turner, Kristy. But I Could Never Go Vegan! New York: Experiment, 2014. Print. Warner, Ashlae. Banana Bread, Salad Bowls. Digital image. Oh, Ladycakes. Ashlae

Warner, 12 Apr. 2015. Web. 20 May 2016. Westerkamp, Jenny, RD. Dietetic Internships 101. All Access Internships, 2014.

Web. 10 May 2016. United States. Department of Labor. Dietitians and Nutritionists. U.S. Bureau of

Labor Statistics, 2016. Web. 10 May 2016.