<p>A Registered Dietitian is a health professional who has received the basic educational requirement of a bachelor's degree with a major in dietetics, foods and nutrition, and food service management systems from a regionally accredited university.&nbsp; Registered Dietitians undergo training in a supervised internship program that lasts approximately one year and then must successfully pass a board certification exam.</p>
<p>Individuals interested in nutrition education and health promotion, but not dietetics, have the option of completing bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees in nutrition programs which have no ADA affiliation. These individuals function independently of the ADA and disseminate nutrition information through methods such as consultation, research, and teaching. These individuals call themselves nutritionists and they are distinguished from Registered Dietitians.</p>
<p>Certification as a nutritionist is achieved through specific states of residence or through a national nutrition organization. In both cases, passing an exam and supervised training are usually requirements for certification.</p>
<p><em><strong>Sources:</strong></em></p>
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<li><em>The Nutrition Institute, University of Bridgeport&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br /></em>
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<li><em>Sheila G. Dean, DSc, RD, LD, CCN, CDE</em></li>
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</li>
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