Celebrating the First Annual Registered Dietitian’s Day

This March during National Nutrition Month, history will be made in the profession of dietetics. Since dietetics began in the early 1800s, there has never been a holiday to honor these health care professionals. All that will change this year as registered dietitians everywhere are honored on March 10, the first Registered Dietitian’s Day.

Few people know the history of the dietetics profession. By some accounts, Florence Nightingale, the founder of the nursing profession, laid a foundation for the dietetics profession through her efforts to feed injured soldiers during the Crimean War in 1854. She even wrote a book on dietetics in 1861. As a matter of fact, most of the very first dietitians were nurses.

Fast forward to today where dietetics is a profession with its own charter, separate from nursing. Currently there are over 67,000 dietitians in the United States alone. They serve in a variety of settings including hospitals; schools; businesses; health departments; food companies; professional athletics; spas and health clubs; zoos; senior living facilities; higher education; and research facilities to name a few. Dietitians operate with a clear understanding of the relationship between health and nutrition: good nutrition can promote good growth and development, prevent a variety of health conditions, manage many chronic diseases, and aid in the recovery from illness or injury.

“It’s a Matter of Fact” is this year’s slogan for National Nutrition Month. It is a matter of fact that registered dietitians are the “nutrition experts”. Registered dietitians are well educated and trained to help you to:

• manage chronic diseases and conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure,
• heal after surgery or injury,
• achieve and maintain a healthy weight,
• fuel up properly for competitive sports,
• meet healthy weight gain goals to support a healthy pregnancy,
• achieve healthy growth and development throughout your life cycle, and so much more.
Accept no substitutes! Registered dietitians are available to everyone.

How can you find a dietitian to help you with your specific health concerns? You can ask your health care provider for a referral or find a dietitian in your area through the American Dietetics Association’s website at www.eatright.org.

Health Department
City of St. Louis
Health Department web site