True or False: Every Nutritionist is a Dietitian

True or False: Every Nutritionist is a Dietitian 

Written by Arielle Kestenbaum | Reviewed by Adiana Castro, RD, MS,CDN, RDN

Every Nutritionist is a Dietitian. This is False.

 Although many dietitians will refer to themselves as nutritionist, not all who refer to themselves as nutritionists are dietitians. The main difference between a nutritionist and a dietitian is the level of education and medical nutrition therapy clinical exposure. Anyone that studies wellness and nutrition can call themselves a “nutritionist”, but to become a dietitian, one must obtain certain certifications and licensures, and therefore the role of a dietitian is more regulated than that of a nutritionist.

After earning a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university, as well as having completed many nutrition science courses, a dietitian usually must first complete a dietetic internship or practice program rotating many different areas within the scope of practice of a dietitian. For example, interns are required to rotate within healthcare facilities, food service companies and community settings, where they can be monitored and supervised. After completing the internship, an intern is required to take the national examination before obtaining the Registered Dietitian (RD) credential.

Once registered as a dietitian, they are able to organize food and nutrition plans and promote healthy eating habits to prevent and treat illnesses. They can also work within schools to teach nutrition education, as well as conduct research on many public health issues. There are so many different roads for a dietitian to go that falls under their scope of practice, that would not necessarily be OK for a nutritionist.

The term “nutritionist” is much broader, as it is not as regulated in the United States. Nutritionists typically do not have any professional training, and therefore should not be involved in the diagnosis or treatment of any disease. They definitely can be present for any type of support, as well as promotion of healthy lifestyles, but they cannot partake in the medical nutrition therapy aspect of nutrition (the therapeutic approach to treating medical conditions and their symptoms through specific diets).

Registered Dietitians and nutritionists both want to help people eat better and be healthier, but the education and practical training dietitians receive make them the true experts. This is something to keep in mind whether wanting to enter the field of nutrition or seeking expert nutrition advice! 

Main Article: "Put Your Best Fork Forward"

Main Article: "Put Your Best Fork Forward"

Written by Desireeh Chevere | Reviewed by Adiana Castro MS, RDN, CDN, CLT

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics has created a campaign, called National Nutrition Month, for the month of March to advertise nutrition education and the importance of it. It is focused on helping people make informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits. What’s great about the Academy is that they have professionals that can help guide the public on gradually shifting toward a healthy lifestyle instead of doing it all on your own. The Academy is able to help the public by promoting National Nutrition Month activities and messages throughout the month. They make sure to promote the most valuable and credible source of timely, scientifically-based food and nutrition information, so be sure to be on the lookout for that!

This year the theme is “Put Your Best Fork Forward,” which serves as a reminder that all of us have the necessary tool to make healthier food choices. This month is dedicated to helping people feel empowered to making small changes in their daily lives to help improve health now and also in the long run. A healthier lifestyle doesn’t always happen overnight, so that is why this month is for helping people making small changes over time. The Academy encourages people to balance food and beverages within an individual’s energy needs, rather than focusing on a specific type of food or meal. This month is important because it will help people realize that making healthier eating choices requires a long-term commitment, which will in turn lead to a healthier and more enjoyable life. Below you will get a taste of what the Academy is promoting:

1. Think Nutrient-Rich  

Think nutrient-rich rather than “good” or “bad” foods. The majority of your food choices should be packed with vitamins, minerals, fiber and other nutrients. Making smart food choices can help you stay healthy, manage your weight and be physically active.

2. Focus on Variety

Eat a variety of foods from all the food groups to get the nutrients your body needs. Fruits and vegetables can be fresh, frozen or canned. Eat more dark green vegetables such as leafy greens and broccoli and orange vegetables including carrots and sweet potatoes. Vary your protein choices with more fish, beans, nuts and seeds. Try to choose whole-grains when eating cereals, breads, crackers, rice or pasta.

3. Cook More, Eat Out Less

Convenience food isn’t as convenient as we would like, they often cost us more! Try to switch out the frozen dinners and fast food for foods that are prepared at home. Go back to the basics and find simple, inexpensive and healthy recipes to make with your family.

4. Frozen Food

Don’t let all frozen food go, especially not frozen vegetables. At certain times of the year frozen vegetables will not only help save some money but it will also last longer than fresh. For instance, you can try cooking frozen broccoli with a side of rice or pasta and chicken.

5. Plan Ahead

Planning ahead can be quite beneficial, especially when you’re busy throughout the week and don’t have much time to do things. A helpful suggestion is to plan what you would like to eat for the week before going to the grocery store. You can plan by reviewing your favorite recipes and see what kind of ingredients you will need. Also, be sure to see what foods you already have and make a list of what you are missing. This list will help avoid buying any extra items.

References:

Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

http://www.eatright.org/resource/food/resources/national-nutrition-month/national-nutrition-month 

Seasonal Recipe: Clementines

Seasonal Recipe:  Clementines

Written by Kelli Baker | Reviewed by Adiana Castro MS, RDN, CDN, CLT

During the month of March Clementines can give us a refreshing break from some of the more heavier dishes we were enjoying during the winter months.  A citrus fruit somewhere between an orange and a tangerine, Clementines are juicy, sweet, and less acidic than an orange.  They are typically easy to peel and divide into 7-14 segments.  Clementines are high in vitamin C and folate and are not only are they great to throw in your bag for a quick snack but can also be incorporated into some lovely dishes such as the ones below. 

Roasted Chicken With Clementines

Prep Time:  10 Min

Cook Time:  55 Mins.

Total Time:  1 hour

Serves 6-8

INGREDIENTS:

6 ½ tablespoons Arak (or Ouzo or Pernod)

¼ cup olive oil

3 tablespoons freshly squeezed clementine juice

3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice

2 tablespoons grainy mustard

3 tablespoons light brown sugar or honey

2 teaspoons kosher salt

Freshly ground pepper

8 bone-in chicken pieces (a mix of thighs and drumsticks is nice)

4 clementines, unpeeled, sliced thin

A few sprigs of thyme

2-3 medium onions cut lengthwise then into quarters

2 ½ teaspoons fennel seeds, lightly crushed

INSTRUCTIONS:

1.     In a large mixing bowl, whisk together arak, oil, clementine and lemon juices, mustard, brown sugar and salt.  Season with pepper to taste.

2.     Marinate chicken with mixture, clementine slices, thyme sprigs, onion pieces, and crushed fennel seeds in a large mixing bowl or zip lock back.  Turn several times to coat.  Marinate chicken for several hours or overnight.

3.     Preheat oven to 475 degrees F.  After 30 minutes, check on the chicken.  If the skin is browning too quickly, turn the oven down to 400 degrees F and continue roasting until the skin is brown and crisp, 20-25 minutes longer.

4.     Transfer chicken and Clementines and onion pieces with juices to a serving platter.  Let rest 5-10 minutes before serving.

Recipe by:  alexandracooks.com

Effortless Clementine, Carrot and Mint Salad

Serves 6

INGREDIENTS:

12 clementines, peeled

2 large carrots, peeled

1 teaspoon red onion, finely chopped

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

½ teaspoon coarse kosher salt

1 handful fresh mint leaves, torn

INSTRUCTIONS:

1.     Once the clementines are peeled slice them horizontally, like the equator.  You should be able to get about 5-6 slices from each clementine.  Arrange them on a large platter, overlapping slightly.

2.     Using a vegetable peeler, shave the carrots directly on top of the clementine slices.  They will create loose curly cues on top.

3.     Sprinkle chopped red onion over the salad.

4.     Pick fresh mint leaves off their stems.  When you have a good handful, give them a rough tear, arrange on top of the salad anywhere that needs color.

5.     Drizzle with a healthy dose of olive oil, and coarse salt. 

Recipe by:  Food 52.com

Clementine Granita

Prep:  30 mins.

Total Time: 3 Hours 40 mins.

Servings: 4

Yield:  Makes 12

INGREDIENTS:

12 clementines, plus 12 more for juicing

½ cup sugar

1 slice (½ inch) peeled fresh ginger

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

DIRECTIONS:

1.     Slice the top ½ inch off each clementine; reserve.  Cut around flesh and scoop out into a sieve set over a bowl; reserve skins and be careful not to tear them.  Press flesh to extract juice.  Squeeze in juice from tops. (You’ll have about 1 cup.)  Juice more clementines to yield 2 cups.

2.     Moisten clementine skins with some juice or water.  Roll skins in ¼ cup sugar to coat.  Freeze until solid, about 2 hours.

3.     Bring remaining ¼ cup sugar, ¼ cup water, and ginger to a boil in a saucepan, stirring, until sugar dissolves.  Remove from heat.  Let stand for 30 minutes; discard ginger.  Stir in 2 cups juice and the lemon juice; transfer to a nonreactive 8-inch square-baking dish.  Freeze until solid, about 3 hours.

4.     Scrape granite with a fork to fluff.  Spoon granita into clementine “cups.”  Freeze for 10 minutes before serving.

Recipe by:  Marthastewart.com

Nutrition Trend: The Farm-to-Table Movement

Written by Cheyenne Watts | Reviewed by Adiana Castro MS, RDN, CDN, CLT

Recently you may have gone out for a nice, sit-down meal at a trendy New York City restaurant.  The menu is made of recycled cardboard, the ink used to print the meal options is eco-friendly, and the furniture upon which you sit and dine is made of reclaimed materials collected from ship wreckage.  You begin to consider the options, but are overwhelmed by the options-  Do you want free-range chicken from Upstate New York?  Or would you prefer grass-fed beef that roamed on a 50-acre pasture?  Or, perhaps, you’d like to order the goat that was raised by a traditional two-parent family with a steady income, and went to a private school for gifted goats?  That last option is a silly exaggeration, but it brings us to the point that the Farm-to-Table trend has gotten a bit out of hand.  The line between serving food that is truly local and telling utter lie to keep up the establishments’ appearances has become blurred, but this does not mean fresh foods are impossible to find.  

Farm-to-table is a social movement which promotes serving local food at restaurants and school cafeterias, preferably through direct acquisition from the producer.  Farm-to-table often incorporates a form of food traceability, or knowing where your food comes from, where the farm or garden the food originates is made known.  

The farm-to-table movement has arisen more or less concurrently with changes in attitudes about food safety, food freshness, food seasonality, and small-farm economics.  Alice Waters, restauranteur of Chez Panisse and mother of the Slow Food movement, began listing the farms on her restaurant menus to “remind people that food really did grow on farms,” (Vanity Fair, 2015).  

Restaurants, schools, and hotels alike want to source locally and follow a farm-to-table method because locally sourced food is more frequently organic (meaning it doesn’t use GMOs), tastes better (because it hasn’t been picked early and shipped in a truck), it comes from small family farms, and there are more unique types varieties of fruits and vegetables.

Recently, farm-to-table eating has become more available to the general public through farmers markets and monthly food box subscriptions.  Families can visit the farmers market on the weekend to pick out organic produce, fresh baked goods, homemade jams, and grass fed meat to cook for a wholesome dinner.  Also, some subscription food boxes source locally when possible and only buy their product from organic, small farms.  

New York City is home to many farm-to-table restaurants.  You can find a comprehensive list of some of the most famous ones here.  In addition, you can find all of your local farmers markets on this site.

If you want to support local farmers, eat healthier and more delicious food, and reduce your carbon footprint, please try out a new farm-to-table restaurant, or cook a meal with your family using produce you purchased at a local NYC Farmers Market.  Happy Eating!