Many Americans struggle with finding the right source for help about nutrition and weight loss. A lot of people rely on weight loss celebrities, personal trainers or health and fitness magazines and websites. But the most accurate and science-based information can only come from registered dietitians or RDs.

Anyone can call himself or herself a nutritionist but RDs are the nutrition professionals with the right credentials. RDs are licensed by the Commission on Dietetic Registration of the American Dietetic Association. They can legally practice medical nutrition therapy and are highly trained in multiple forms of nutrition counseling such as cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, and dialectical behavioral therapy.

A good RD should have received a bachelor's or advanced degree from an accredited college or university, should have completed an extensive internship program that includes supervised clinical experience and should have passed a national licensing exam.

If you are looking for a nutrition professional to help you with weight loss or a health-related nutritional need, we highly recommend that you work with a registered dietitian. RDs base all their work on sound science. For example, here at Nutrition for You, the meal plans are created by a highly experienced RD in weight loss and weight management. In addition, the nutrition coaches that give one-on-one counseling in Nutrition for You are RDs or work closely with an RD and are on their way to becoming RDs themselves.

Information from: http://www.news-press.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/200909080110/HEALTH/909080310