What is a Registered Dietitian or Dietitian?
An R.D. is a health professional who can provide extensive knowledge on healthy eating. A Registered Dietitian is trained to bring safe and reliable advice on food, diet, and nutrition issues that benefit individuals. They provide their services in hospitals, community based settings, health care facilities, foodservice companies, and private practices.
Registered Dietitians are your well educated trusted experts.
Educationally, a licensed R.D. requires having both a Bachelor of Science degree in Foods and Nutrition, plus a one-year dietetic internship program or a nutrition master’s degree. Law protects all the titles of “Registered Dietitian” and “Dietitian”. Only those who have met national standards can use these titles. The letters R.D. are the legal designations for qualified Registered Dietitians of Canada. R.D.’s must take ongoing continuing education classes to maintain their license each year.
Additionally, in every province, practicing dietitians are regulated, ensuring that you are receiving safe and ethical advice. A Registered Dietitian or Dietitian is the best professional consultant for any nutrition issue. Dietitians are also covered by most extended health plans. Why wait?! Call today to book your initial assessment so the Nutrition At Its Best Vancouver team can meet your nutritional goals!
Why Is Nutrition Important?
Nutrition plays an important role in growth and development, health promotion, disease prevention, and the treatment of illness.
According to Canada’s Food Guide to Healthy Eating (download PDF 1.9MB):
- Enjoy a variety of foods
- Emphasize whole grain cereals, breads and other grain products, vegetables and fruit
- Choose lower fat dairy products, leaner meats
- Limit salt, alcohol and caffeine
- Achieve and maintain a healthy body weight by regular physical activity and overall healthy eating
Food provides the energy needed for our daily activities and eating well helps maintains one’s health.
What is so important about vegetables, fruits, and grains?
These foods are high in vitamins, minerals, and dietary fibre and are low in fat.
How do I know how many calories I need?
It is important to follow Canada’s Food Guide. Yet, everyone has different caloric needs depending on their age, gender, physical activity level, and other factors. You may wish to consult with a Registered Dietitian for an individual meal plan that works for you.
What foods are especially important during pregnancy?
It is important to follow Canada’s Food Guide but at this time foods rich in iron, folate and calcium should be considered for your diet.
Do I really need fat in my diet?
Yes, because fat is an important source of energy and needed for the absorption of the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K. It is also used for heart function, body insulation, hormone production, cellular, and skin development.
Why are milk products important?
Milk is an excellent source of calcium and vitamin D. Calcium, along with regular exercise, helps build strong bones and protects against osteoporosis.
What is the difference between butter and margarine?
Butter is natural but it is 68% saturated (bad fat). Margarine such as Becel is made up of healthy fats such as canola oil, sunflower and safflower oil, which are then whipped together to form a soft spread. Be wary of margarines that are hydrogenated, which uses a process developed by the food service industry to create trans fatty acids (bad fat).
