Intermountain Health Registered Dietitian Nutritionists Provide Evidence-based Nutrition Facts

Understanding the power of nutrition can make a big difference in a person’s health. Understanding nutrition principles can help people make quality food and beverage choices. When many people do that, it can help a whole community healthier.

With all the nutrition advice circulating out there it can be difficult to separate what is fact and what is fiction. Registered dietitian nutritionists are the most qualified to provide evidence-based nutrition advice backed by research and science, and Intermountain Health experts are here to help.

A registered dietitian nutritionist:

• Has an undergraduate or graduate degree in nutrition
• Has completed a one-year internship
• Has passed a national exam
• Does continuing education to maintain their credentials

The title “dietitian” is only used by a person who meets these stringent requirements. The title “nutritionist” is not defined—anyone can call themselves a nutritionist.

Registered dietitians are respected across multiple industries and are hired to work in hospitals, clinics, public health, the food services, manufacturing, and restaurant industry, or to do nutrition research or teach at colleges and universities.

Registered dietitians consult with you to create a customized or individualized nutrition plan based on your age, medical history, health conditions, and desired health goals. They can help you know how to improve your health or chances for longevity by making lifestyle changes and forming new habits to improve your nutrition status.

Registered dietitian nutritionists can provide nutrition counseling for:

1. People with health conditions

Registered dietitians provide nutrition counseling to help people prevent or manage chronic disease or health conditions such as prediabetes, diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, gastrointestinal conditions, cancer, malnutrition, osteoporosis, eating disorders or concerns about body image.

Many registered dietitians have additional certifications to help people with common chronic diseases.

2. People who want to manage their weight

Registered dietitians provide body composition analysis and education. They can help you make lifestyle changes in your diet by helping you form good habits. They provide nutrition strategies to help if you’re taking GLP-1 medications for diabetes or weight loss. They can design meal plans for you.

3. People who want to optimize their nutrition for sports performance

Registered dietitians help everyday athletes know how to fuel their bodies for specific sports results and how to fuel for recovery afterward. They also provide hydration strategies and offer guidance about nutritional supplements.

4. People with unique nutrition needs

Registered dietitians help you understand your unique nutrition needs when you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or are going through fertility treatments or menopause. They also help to minimize risk and severity of food allergies or intolerances, or genetic or metabolic conditions.

Registered dietitians also help with the unique nutrition needs of children such as infant feeding and weaning questions, growth concerns, or strategies for picky eaters.

Look for nutrition experts who have the RDN credential

If you’re unsure about a person’s credential who is giving nutrition advice, ask them about their training or see if you can verify their credentials.

Insurance coverage for medical nutrition therapy depends on the insurance company and your medical diagnosis. Contact your insurance company and ask if they cover nutrition counseling. Most Select Health insurance plans will reimburse up to five nutrition counseling visits per year for most health conditions.

Intermountain Health offers in-person or virtual nutrition counseling appointments. For more information or to find a registered dietitian, visit the nutrition services page at intermountainhealth.org

About Intermountain Health

Headquartered in Utah with locations in six states and additional operations across the western U.S., Intermountain Health is a nonprofit system of 34 hospitals, approximately 400 clinics, medical groups with some 4,600 employed physicians and advanced care providers, a nonprofit health plan called Select Health with more than one million members, and other health services. Helping people live the healthiest lives possible, Intermountain is committed to improving community health and is widely recognized as a leader in transforming healthcare by using evidence-based best practices to consistently deliver high-quality outcomes at sustainable costs. For up-to-date information and announcements, please see the Intermountain Health newsroom at https://news.intermountainhealth.org/. For more information, see intermountainhealth.org/ or call 801-442-2000.