Registered Dietitian

Registered dietitians, or nutritionists, assess and provide for the nutritional needs of the patient with a disability. They assist the physician and provide a treatment plan which may include the following:

• Ideal body weight, caloric, and dietary needs

• Foods that help facilitate swallowing

• Special diets

• Dietary modifications that need to be made as a result of the disability

• Tube feeding formulas and schedules for patients who are unable to swallow

• Patient and family education on nutrition topics related to diseases (i.e., diabetes)

Registered dietitians may practice in a variety of settings, including the following:

• Hospitals

• Inpatient rehabilitation centers

• Home health settings

• Private practice

Registered dietitians hold an undergraduate degree, and many have earned a master's degree in dietetics or nutrition science, and may be certified by the American Dietetic Association.