Blog for all health-conscious: Fooducate Blog - Everyone Needs 3 Ds: Doctor, Dentist, and Dietitian

Thursday, 1 March 2012

Fooducate Blog - Everyone Needs 3 Ds: Doctor, Dentist, and Dietitian

Everyone Needs 3 Ds: Doctor, Dentist, and Dietitian

Posted: 01 Mar 2012 06:15 AM PST

get your plate in shape March is National Nutrition Month (NNM) . The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (formerly known as the American Dietetic Association), created this holiday month to:

.. focus attention on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits. NNM also promotes the Academy and its members to the public and the media as the most valuable and credible source of timely, scientifically based food and nutrition information.

While we don’t think that nutrition needs a certain month to be celebrated, we can definitely understand the need to promote the dietetic profession.

While doctors and dentists command the respect of the general public – and very high salaries too – dietitians are, unfortunately, not considered in the same league by most Americans.

Maybe it’s because we consider a physician a life saver . After all, we go to the doctor when we are sick or need an operation, and then presto, we get better. When we have a toothache, only the Dentist can help. And it better be RIGHT AWAY!

But what can a dietitian do for us?

Most people do not see the value in meeting with a dietitian to work on a prevention plan. It sucks to prevent weight gain. It requires discipline, exercise, more effort in the kitchen. A doctor doesn’t ask us for any of this. And since most people see a dietitian after gaining too many pounds, losing weight sucks even more…

Also, doctor bills are covered by health insurance. Unlike visits to a dietitian. Only people with severe health conditions can get reimbursed for visits to a dietitian.

But if you think about it, everyone should have access to advice from a personal dietitian. The overall cost to individuals, as well as to the American taxpayer will be much lower than surgery or expensive drugs to manage diabetes or coronary disease as a result of poor eating choices over many years.

As Ben Franklin once said “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”.

So hug your family dietitian today. And tell your friends to find one for their family too.

For some free nutrition advice, follow our twitter list of registered dietitians.

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