Healthy Living Newsletter
Nutrition Checkups
March is National Nutrition Month. Have you met with a Registered Dietitian?
 A penny saved is a penny earned is a theme all children are taught to help them on the road to financial health. What small contribution are you making to your good health bank each day?
You know who your doctor is, but who is your registered dietitian?
“In the same way you have a physician whom you see regularly to manage your medical needs, everyone should also see a registered dietitian (RD) routinely for help in managing your nutritional needs,” explains Joan Salge Blake, RD, and spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association (ADA).
March is National Nutrition Month and the first annual Registered Dietitian Day is March 10, 2008. The ADA is recommending all Americans mark the month and day by establishing an ongoing relationship with a food and nutrition expert, your local RD.
Mercy Hospital and its Nutrition Services offers four registered dietitians on staff. Sue Colarossi, RD, CDE, Manager of Nutrition Services comments that her patients — and their family and friends — are amazed to discover how small lifestyle changes, such as adding more vegetables to their daily eating plans, quickly adds up, and over time, pays big dividends.
Registered dietitians use their nutritional expertise to help individuals make just these types of unique, positive lifestyle changes.
“Through an annual visit to a registered dietitian for a nutrition checkup, individuals can obtain dietary advice, tips and guidance based on their changing health needs,” explains Sue. “These checkups enable you to not only address nutrition and health problems as they occur, but most importantly, prevent problems that are potentially looming down the road.”
Do you have high cholesterol or high blood pressure? Are you dangerously overweight or have just a few pounds to lose? Don’t wait until you have a stroke or heart attack. The RD’s role is to take their expertise based on the current nutrition science and personalize it to fit your individual lifestyle.
“People often are not aware that many health insurance plans now cover visits to an RD,” continues Sue. “You may need a referral from your physician, but some plans don’t require one. Check with your health insurance company.”
In 2002, Medicare began reimbursing for medical nutrition therapy provided by an RD for people with diabetes and kidney disease; and private insurers increasingly are covering visits to registered dietitians for treatment of obesity, high blood pressure and high blood cholesterol levels.
Insurance coverage is only one of the benefits of choosing a registered dietitian over someone calling him- or herself a nutritionist, who could be anyone from a personal trainer to a health food store employee.
“Nutritionists may have little or no qualifications for dispensing nutrition advice,” continues Sue. “Only an RD has the education, certification and experience to give you personalized information based on solid scientific evidence.”
With more than 67,000 members, the ADA is the nation’s largest organization of food and nutrition professionals. The ADA serves the public by promoting optimal nutrition, health and well-being.
To find out more, or schedule an appointment with a Mercy registered dietitian, call (810) 985-1479; or visit the Nutrition Services Section of this website.
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