When it comes to Nutrition, RED Clinic has a team of Registered Dietitians (RDs) who are qualified to assess and treat the full spectrum of eating disorders. It is important to note that RDs are not nutritionists. In fact, anyone can call themselves a nutritionist.
RDs are regulated by a governing agency, and our RDs at the RED Clinic are credentialed in nutrition, have completed an accredited internship and passed a national exam. Their training includes familiarity and knowledge of biochemistry, physiology, anatomy, advanced nutrition science, and evidence-based research. Our expert RDs treat our clients via medical nutrition therapy and prescribe eating plans specific to their physical and psychological needs.
The chart below highlights the differences between Registered Dietitians and Nutritionists.
Registered Dietitian (RD)
The profession is regulated by a governing agency.
Requires formal education with a minimum of a BSc + MS in Dietetics / Nutrition + Accredited Internship + National Examination.
Familiar and trained in biochemistry, physiology, anatomy, advanced nutrition science, evidenced-based research.
Can advise and treat healthy and ill people via medical nutrition therapy. Can prescribe diets specific for illness.
An expert in settings with acutely ill people.
Nutritionist
The profession is NOT regulated by a governing agency.
Does not require formal education. There are multiple programs ranging from 1 week to years, but no formal education is required.
Familiar (but not necessarily trained) with public health and general nutrition information.
Cannot advise on specific diets for ill people. Can provide general nutrition advice.
Not allowed in settings with acutely ill people.
Our Overall Nutrition Philosophy
Discovering body trust is one of the fundamental philosophies of the RED Clinic. Establishing intuitive eating so that clients can honor their body cues and trust their body’s processes is the goal of our Registered Dietitians (RDs) on each client’s journey to mental and physical health. Working within the reality of each client, our RDs establish the standard of adequate nutrition with a variety of replenishment as we honor evidence-based food information. Because nutrition is a science, up-to-date knowledge of research is vital as we translate science into action. Food neutrality is established as we believe that ALL foods can fit in a healthy lifestyle. Our RDs address black & white thinking regarding food as well as the stigma of certain foods. Exploring each client’s relationship with food includes their emotional connection with food, social influences, dieting mentality, and family dynamics.
What Our Registered Dietitians Provide
Our Registered Dietitians provide a non-judgmental safe space for our RED Clinic clients. Their scope of treatment includes assessments, education, care, partnership, meal plans, follow-up and experientials.
Nutrition Assessments for:
Individual Adults, Adolescents and Children: Your RED Clinic Registered Dietitian (RD) completes an in-person or virtual intensive assessment to get to know you and your nutritional needs. Your RD will develop a Nutrition Treatment Plan in coordination with your Therapeutic Treatment Plan to use as a roadmap through treatment.
Family: Your RED Clinic Registered Dietitian (RD) includes close family members during the Nutrition Assessment to obtain insight from and to provide direction to family members who will be part of your treatment.
Our continuum of care includes treatment at the following levels:
- Intensive Outpatient
- Outpatient
Nutrition Follow-Up
Your RED Clinic Registered Dietitian (RD) guides consistent and individualized nutrition follow-up for your recovery needs. During regular appointments, your RED Clinic RD will collaborate with you and your therapy team to accomplish goals that work toward recovery from an eating disorder. When it comes to children and families, your RED Clinic RD will teach you how to support your child in his/her recovery and to understand and help to support the implementation of nutrition interventions.
Experientials
After initial and ongoing Nutrition Assessments and Care, our Registered Dietitians provide Experientials.
From grocery shopping to dining out to triggers experienced when en route to school or work, experientials are designed to have our expert clinicians walk through everyday challenges with you until there is confidence to move forward without the clinician.
Your RED Clinic Registered Dietitian guides consistent and individualized nutrition follow-up for your recovery needs. During regular appointments, your RED Clinic Registered Dietitian will collaborate with you and your therapy team to accomplish goals that work toward a life of full recovery from an eating disorder. When it comes to children and families, your RED Clinic Registered Dietician will teach you how to support your child in his/her recovery and to understand and help to support the implementation of nutrition interventions.
Beyond the Nutrition Assessments and Follow-up, our Registered Dietitians provide:
Meal Plans
There are no diets at RED Clinic. There is only a healthy plan to create and implement. Our Registered Dietitians (RDs) take an individualized approach with you because your health needs are unique to you. There is no such thing as a one-plan-fits-all at RED Clinic. Because you are unique, our meal plans are unique.
Grocery Shopping Experientials/Tours
Our RED Clinic RDs accompany you to the actual grocery store so together you can experience the entire shopping experience and discuss any issues, pitfalls, and victories. Grocery Shopping Tours personalized for you by our RD is like having an RD in your pocket outside office walls. After a thorough assessment of your goals and information you would like to discuss, your RD will join you and lead an individualized tour of the grocery store of your choice. Beyond the tour, RDs provide education, help you meet your nutritional needs within your budget, keep things practical and take the mystery out of grocery shopping so it isn’t overwhelming. For virtual clients or clients who have groceries delivered, this experiential can be adjusted to include creating virtual grocery carts together.
Meal/Restaurant Experientials
During the treatment process, our RED Clinic RDs will eat a meal with you so they are available to answer questions, address any issues that arise and provide support. Whether you eat a meal in the clinic or at a restaurant or cafe, RDs can also present “challenge” foods instead of whole meals depending on the client need. RED Clinic RDs know that dining out can be stressful even to the point of becoming traumatic. Those days can be in the past. Our restaurant experientials mean we are right there with you to guide and encourage as you conquer your ED.