Best Dietitian Nutritionists in Ahmedabad
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What is Dietitian?
A Dietitian is a health professional who has a Bachelor’s degree or a Masters degree specialising in food and nutrition, as well as a period of practical training in a hospital and a community setting. It takes at least four years of full-time study at a university to qualify as a Dietitian at an undergraduate level. There are also now a number of fulltime Masters programmes (2 yrs) which allow those with a suitable primary degree to qualify as a Dietitian. Many Dietitians go on to further their knowledge by pursuing a Master’s or Doctoral degree. Dietitians apply the science of nutrition to promote health, treat and prevent malnutrition and provide therapeutic dietary guidelines for patients, clients and the public in health and illness.
Dietitians are the only qualified and regulated health professionals who assess, diagnose and treat dietary and nutritional problems at an individual and wider public health level. The title “Registered Dietitian” and “Dietitian/Dietician” is protected by law so that only qualified practitioners who have met the required education qualifications and continue to maintain their knowledge and skills through continuing professional development, can use that title.
What does a dietitian do?
Dietitians study and implement the science of nutrition to meet the health needs of populations, communities or individuals. They work in a variety of settings, from clinical healthcare facilities to community institutions to the private sector. They research and educate people on nutrition and food science, and they design and direct eating plans for individuals or groups with various health needs.
Some specific types of dietitians include:
- Clinical dietitians: These RDs work in clinical healthcare settings, like hospitals and nursing homes, as part of a team of healthcare providers. They oversee nutrition for people receiving care in their facility, considering their health conditions and needs.
- Community dietitians: Community dietitians promote general health and wellness through nutrition and food planning. They work for government and nonprofit agencies, corporate wellness programs, health maintenance organizations and community fitness centers.
- Management dietitians: Management dietitians oversee meal planning and food service programs for organizations, like school cafeterias, prisons and restaurant chains. They design menus, supervise staff and ensure organizations meet quality, safety and nutritional standards.
- Consultant dietitians: Consultant RDs work as individual contractors or in private practice. They help clients design eating plans for their specific needs and goals. Sometimes, they specialize in certain types of needs and goals, like sports nutrition and weight management.
- Research dietitians: Some dietitians work as researchers for a university, pharmaceutical lab or health services agency. They investigate ways that diets affect populations. Some might specialize in a particular topic, like food allergies and intolerances or diet and genetics.
How could a dietitian help me?
If you ever need hospital care, a registered dietitian might be an important part of your healthcare team. Whether you’re recovering from surgery or critical illness, a gastrointestinal disease or a type of malnutrition, you’ll need specific nutrition to support and sustain you. A dietitian will assess and determine your needs, develop a formula and deliver it, either by mouth, by tube or through an IV.
Alternatively, you might choose to visit a dietitian on your own to help you develop a personalized nutrition plan. Maybe you’ve been diagnosed with a chronic health condition that requires you to change your eating habits, and you’re not sure where to start. Or you might want professional advice on how best to lose weight or gain weight, enhance your physical performance or feed your family.
What are the different specialties a registered dietitian can have?
A registered dietitian may choose to specialize in nutrition and diet planning for a particular community or particular health requirements. For example, they might want to focus on nutrition for children, seniors or athletes, or for people with specific health conditions that affect their dietary needs. A registered dietitian can go on to earn additional certifications in various specialties, including:
- Geriatric nutrition: A Board-Certified Specialist in Gerontological Nutrition (CSG) specializes in the nutrition needs of older adults. They create nutrition plans to help prevent and treat some of the common conditions that can affect this population, from osteoporosis to malnutrition.
- Pediatric nutrition: A Board-Certified Specialist in Pediatric Nutrition (CSP) specializes in the nutrition needs of children from birth to age 21. They design nutrition plans to meet children’s general growth and development needs while also addressing special needs and conditions.
- Pediatric critical care nutrition: A Board-Certified Specialist in Pediatric Critical Care Nutrition (CSPCC) is a clinical dietitian who works with a team of healthcare providers caring for children in intensive care. They provide medical nutrition therapy critical to these children’s recovery.
- Obesity and weight management: A Board-Certified Specialist in Obesity and Weight Management (CSOWM) offers holistic support for people trying to manage their weight to prevent or treat obesity, including education, dietary planning and other interventions. Sports nutrition. A Board-Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics (CSSD) specializes in nutrition for athletes and other highly active professionals, like police, military and rescue forces. They work with individuals and teams to help maximize their overall fitness and performance in the field.
- Renal nutrition: A Board-Certified Specialist in Renal Nutrition (CSR) designs personalized renal diets for people with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and kidney failure. They offer nutritional assessment, monitoring, education and planning to support your kidneys at all disease stages.
- Oncology nutrition: A Board-Certified Specialist in Oncology Nutrition (CSO) specializes in the nutrition needs of people in treatment for or recovering from cancer. They work with your healthcare team to help reinforce your health and address common nutritional challenges. Eating disorders. A Certified Eating Disorders Registered Dietitian (CEDRD) specializes in nutritional rehabilitation for people with eating disorders. A registered dietitian can earn this credential from the International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals (IAEDP).
- Diabetes nutrition and care: A Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES) helps people prevent and manage diabetes through diet and education. A registered dietitian can earn this credential from the U.S. Certification Board for Diabetes Care and Education (CBDCE).
- Functional nutrition: An Integrative and Functional Nutrition Certified Practitioner (IFNCP) specializes in nutrition from the perspective of functional medicine, a science-based, whole systems approach to identifying the treating the root causes of chronic disease. A registered dietitian can earn this credential from the Integrative and Functional Nutrition Academy.
