To Be an RD, or Not To Be An RD, That Is The Question

I’m not a registered dietician.   I enrolled in a Master’s program to earn the title but was so appalled by the curriculum that I had to extricate myself before completion.

The internship I was to have would have consisted of me counseling obese, diabetic patients to follow the recommendations of the USDA including (per the National Diabetes Education Program’s site): 

• Choose foods that are lower in calories, saturated fat, trans fat, sugar, and salt.
• Eat foods with more fiber, such as whole grain cereals, breads, crackers, rice, or pasta.
• Choose foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, bread and cereals, and low-fat or skim milk and cheese.
• Drink water instead of juice and regular soda.
• When eating a meal, fill half of your plate with fruits and vegetables, one quarter with a lean protein, such as beans, or chicken or turkey without the skin, and one quarter with a whole grain, such as brown rice or whole wheat pasta.

While there are a few points I agree with, such as cutting trans fat, sugar, salt and juice, the rest is so far off base, I cannot even begin to tell you.

So, I opted out.  Was that the wise choice?   Maybe, maybe not.  And to date, I still toy with the idea of going back.  One could argue that earning the title would thus facilitate my ability to make a bigger difference the the core of the problem- the USDA itself.  Stand by… decision still in progress!

I’ve been contacted by many people over the years, asking my advice on whether or not to pursue this course of education, given that the teachings are so, so far off Paleo.

What I always suggest is that one can never go wrong with more education.  I greatly admire those who’ve withstood the program and have seen it through to completion in order to then be able to teach the principles of True Paleo to those who may need it most- those who have a medical diagnosis and desperately need a complete (Paleo) overhaul of their eating regime.

I case you’d like some funny reading material which will further illustrate this point, why not have a look at an article written by an RD which outlines her typical daily regime, which includes her favorites: “peanut butter, bread, fiber rich cereal and low fat yogurt”?

Sounds like a perfectly pleasing piece for some of the sponsors of the USDA such as the dairy council and the cereal manufacturers!   

Who cares if people’s health is at stake?  As long as sales of milk and bread are up, we’re in great shape, right?  

Click here to read it for yourself.