Dominique
What would be the daily life of a vegan registered dietitian?
I want to become a registered dietitian when I finish college but my diet is different from the majority of the population: I am a vegan. Would I have to conform to give advice and counseling to clients who follow the standard american diet? Or could I give them advice based on studies that show a shift towards a plant based diet? #career #science #jobs #job-search #career-development #nutrition #food
4 answers
Kim Igleheart
Kim’s Answer
If you are very strongly committed to your beliefs for moral reasons, and not just for health reasons, you will need to find an employer who supports you, or be self-employed. Either way, you should divulge this to your clients ahead of time. If I was to come to you looking for advice, and you did not include meats in the recommended diet, I would be upset. So the question is, are you so committed to this lifestyle that you think it is wrong for others to not be committed to it, and you have a "calling" to try to change them, or can you be okay with the idea that they want an occasional hamburger?
It is possible to be your own boss, own your own practice, and market towards those who believe in healthy lifestyle choices, not eating animal products, etc. If you are in the right city, marketing towards the right populations, you could be successful. You would need to know a lot about business in addition to just being a dietician.
I don't know if this will help explain it. I used to be a cop. It did not make a difference what I thought about the legalization of marijuana, or of the rights of the people to peaceably protest. If someone had marijuana, I was expected to arrest them. If they were protesting without a permit, I was expected to arrest them. There is often a down side to every job. You just have to ask yourself if you can live with yourself doing something that is in conflict with your personal beliefs.
Tough dilemma to be in. I wish you the best!
Susan Castillo
Susan’s Answer
Heathy eating choices cover a wide range of preferences. As long as you can give medically sound advice without your own bias, you should be able to build a solid reputation as a qualified dietician. The added bonus is that those who share you eating preferences will be doubly blessed.
Make sure you round out your education being solid on the benefits of all dietary styles.
Rosie Romo
Rosie’s Answer
Hello Dominique,
The role of a dietician is to help people understand how to eat a balanced healthy diet. Eating the right foods ensures your body can get the right nutrients for health. Regardless of how you choose to eat education should be the focus. Food is life enjoy the journey and remember do what you love!
Hope I helped!
R
James Constantine Frangos
James Constantine’s Answer
The Role of a Vegan Registered Dietitian
As a vegan registered dietitian, you'll be guiding clients on their nutritional journey, focusing on the advantages of plant-based diets. You'll need a solid understanding of both vegan and non-vegan nutrition, as well as the most recent research on plant-based diets.
Here's what a typical day might look like:
- Keeping up-to-date with the latest research and developments in plant-based diets and nutrition. This could involve reading scholarly articles, attending conferences, and connecting with other experts in the field.
- Consulting with clients to understand their unique nutritional needs, goals, and worries. This could include people who follow a traditional American diet, as well as those transitioning to or already following a vegan lifestyle.
- Creating custom meal plans and advising on how to include more plant-based foods in their diet, while ensuring they get all the necessary nutrients.
- Reviewing clients' food logs and offering feedback on their current eating habits, suggesting improvements, and discussing potential hurdles in adopting a plant-based diet.
- Teaming up with other healthcare professionals like doctors and personal trainers to provide clients with holistic and coordinated care.
- Engaging in public speaking, writing articles, or developing educational content to spread awareness about the benefits of plant-based diets and debunk common myths.
- Continually developing professionally by attending workshops, webinars, and conferences to stay current with new research and best practices in nutrition.
In your role as a vegan registered dietitian, you'll have the chance to guide clients in making informed dietary and lifestyle choices, while advocating for the benefits of plant-based eating. You'll need to be well-informed about both vegan and non-vegan nutrition, and be able to tailor your advice to each client's individual needs.
Recommended Reference Titles:
- American Dietetic Association (ADA): As a leading organization for dietitians and nutritionists, the ADA's position statements on plant-based diets offer authoritative guidance.
- The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (AJCN): This peer-reviewed journal features original research, reviews, and editorials on various aspects of human nutrition, including plant-based diets.
- The British Journal of Nutrition (BJN): Similar to AJCN, BJN publishes research on nutrition, including studies on plant-based diets.
These references offer a thorough understanding of the daily life of a vegan registered dietitian and the importance of being well-versed in both vegan and non-vegan nutrition.
Don't forget to check out my autobiography to learn more about which foods provide the nutrients needed for optimal academic performance. Thank you.
Wishing You All the Best,
James Constantine.