faq's

what is the difference between a nutritionist and a registered dietitian (rd)?

all dietitians are nutritionists but the vice versa is not the same, not all nutritionists are dietitians. a dietitian is a registered dietitian, which means that the person has a degree, hence the initials rd after their name. rd's are the only health professionals that have the training and the knowledge necessary to give you expert and personalized guidance on how to navigate through the most current evidence based nutrition research. the rd title is used by practitioners who are authorized by the commission on dietetic registration (cade) of the academy of nutrition and dietetics.

registered dietitians are the food and nutrition experts who have to abide by very specific educational and professional requirements to attain their credentials. this includes attaining a bachelor's degree, completing a cade program, which includes intensive science classes as well as nutrition classes, and a dietetic internship. the rd credentials require passing a standardized national exam. continuing education credits are required to uphold the title.

a cdn is a certified dietitian-nutritionist. it is a state licensed title which also requires specific educational and professional requirements. it is a required certification in the state of new york.

how can a registered dietitian help me?

we can help you manage a medical condition with a specific diet, control your weight, and provide the most recent evidence based research to help you interpret the truth from the enormous amount of nutrition information circulating in the media. we also assist you in incorporating behavior modifications and lifestyle changes to help facilitate your weight management goals.

will my health insurance plan cover weight management?

health insurance coverage for nutrition counseling varies from provider to provider as well as from plan to plan. coverage is often dependent on a medical diagnosis. the diagnosis can range from diabetes or renal disease to underweight, overweight or obesity. some providers/plans will only cover for medical nutrition therapy related to diabetes and renal disease, but many offer coverage for weight management nutrition counseling.

our office recommends that clients contact their insurance provider prior to scheduling an initial consultation to inquire regarding their nutrition benefits as well as to any precertification, referral or copayments which may be required.

i have tried so many weight loss plans and fad diets, what can you tell me that hasn't already been said and done before?

we will work together to create a program that is personalized to suit your needs and that targets your individual obstacles and barriers to change. most weight loss programs and all fad diets are generic and do not take into account the individuality of each and every client. these generic programs/diets are often not developed by nutrition experts and are not medically supervised. they can be detrimental to your health. we aim to provide you with a safe and realistic diet and physical activity pattern that will become your lifestyle. it's not a diet, it's a way of life!