Dietitians: Champions of Nutrition Month
There’s a lot of information out there about food and health. It can be hard to find nutrition information that you can count on. March is National Nutrition Month and this year the focus is on how Dietitians can help you.
One of the best ways you can get nutrition information is from a Registered Dietitian. Registered dietitians are experts in food and nutrition, and they are trained to support healthy eating for people and communities. They can help you learn about the connection between the food that you eat and your health.
Registered dietitians can give you nutrition information you can trust because they have specific training and schooling. The title “registered dietitian” is protected by law in Canada and only certain people can have this title. This is different from the title ‘nutritionist’ which may not have as much schooling, training and cannot work with children, elders or people living with a disease.
There are many reasons you might talk with a dietitian such as:
- You want to trust what you learn when it comes to eating and feeling better. Dietitians can help you look beyond fad diets and false information and give you information that you can count on. They can help you gain skills in reading food labels, planning meals and grocery shopping. They can also help you learn to eat more plant-based foods, save money on food costs, cook at home, and eat more environmentally friendly foods.
- You want to make some changes to your eating habits to help prevent or improve certain health issues like diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure or gut issues. A dietitian can help you make healthy changes by teaching you about important nutrients, processed foods and how to pick out the best foods to eat.
- You want to learn how to manage a food allergy or intolerance. A dietitian can help you find what foods are safe to eat and what healthy food swaps you can make.
- You want help feeding a picky eater at home. It can be very frustrating trying to get your kids to try or eat different foods. Dietitians can help by giving you ways and ideas that can get your kids more interested in trying new foods. This can make mealtimes much easier.
- You want to include more country foods in yours and your family’s diet. These foods can bring you closer to your roots, nourish your body, inspire your kids, and bring people together. For example, in Nunavut, many people have a lack of vitamin D. A dietitian can show you some great traditional sources of vitamin D, such as seal liver, lake trout, white fish, Arctic char, beluga blubber.
These are just a few of the things you can talk to a dietitian about. They will work with you to give you the information that you need, while keeping in mind your traditions, culture, and personal needs. If you want to meet with a dietitian in Nunavut, ask your doctor or nurse. There are dietitians that serve each community and there may be some dietitians that can be accessed down south too.
If you are not able to see a dietitian, there are many dietitians that give you nutrition information that you can see online, like these blog articles. If you’re getting your information online or on social media, look for people with the initials “RD” or “PDt” at the end of their name. These are registered dietitians. You can also look for information from the government, educational institutions, or professional organizations. These two health authorities offer up-to-date nutrition information on many health conditions.
Next time you’re looking for healthy eating information, take a moment to look at who is putting out this information.
References
Alberta Health Services. (n.d.). Nutrition Education.
Brown, B. (2018, March 7). Country food key to nutrition in Nunavut, dietitian says.
Dietitians of Canada. (2023, February 1). Top 5 reasons to see a dietitian.