Registered dietitian nutritionists from around the state gathered at the Capitol recently to celebrate National Nutrition Month® and Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Day. They handed out mandarin oranges (also known as “Cuties”) to remind people about healthy food choices and to educate them on what exactly a registered dietitian nutritionist can do for them. Approximately 100 dietitians then met with Gov. Asa Hutchinson as he declared March 14 as Registered Dietitian Day and the month of March as National Nutrition Month®.
National Nutrition Month ® is celebrated annually in March and encourages everyone to make healthful food choices and develop realistic and wholesome eating habits. National Nutrition Month ® also promotes the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and Registered Dietitians Nutritionists (RDN) as the most valuable and credible source of scientifically sound food and nutrition information. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is the world’s largest organization of food and nutrition professionals, with more than 100,000 credentialed members.
Registered dietitian nutritionists have fulfilled specific requirements to earn the RDN credential, which includes earning a bachelor’s degree, completing a supervised practice program, and passing a registration examination. To maintain the credential, continuing education requirements are required. .