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cells react to each type of food, and how to create food combi- nations that make the most of their biology. Assessment may include reading a doctor’s chart, talking to patients about their eating habits, reading a food journal they have kept, and talk- ing to them about their medical history. Creating a Meal Plan Creating a meal plan is not as simple as it seems. A meal plan has to fulfill all of a person’s vitamin and calorie needs, and it has to be constructed to get the most out of the patient’s med- ication, exercise, and daily routine. RDNs must be familiar with basic metabolism as well as how metabolism is affected by an individual’s habits, age, and activity level. For instance, the metabolism of marathon runners consulting an RDN to get help creating a meal plan for their training runs will be very different from that of an obese person seeing an RDN for help in losing weight. The RDN must be able to create meal plans that will meet each individual’s needs, rather than taking a one-plan-fits-all approach.

Did You Know?

One of the biggest differences between nutritionists and Dietitian Nutritionists is that a Dietitian Nutritionist can help diagnose eating disor- ders and help create meal plans that manage symptoms of diseases and address health issues. Nutritionists can offer support in these areas, but are not qualified in the same way as Dietitian Nutritionists.

What Do Dietitian Nutritionists Do?

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