You have most likely heard of the terms, “dietitian” or “nutritionist” but what really do they do?

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics defines registered dietitian as a food and nutrition expert who has met the minimum academic and professional requirements to qualify for the RD credential. They are highly educated in the field of nutrition and dietetics — the science of food, nutrition, and their impact on human health. Overall, a dietitian is a board-certified food and nutrition expert.

Dietitians can apply their knowledge across a range of settings, such as hospitals, research institutions, and sports teams. They may prescribe nutrition therapy to help treat or prevent acute and chronic illnesses. Food and nutrition are they key factors dietitians use. It allows them to help people of all ages manage their weight, medical conditions, food allergies, and wellness.

You’re probably aware that common seeds such as sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds offer health benefits. Seeds are a good source of plant-based omega-3s and minerals like magnesium and zinc as well as cell-protective antioxidants. These seeds are so nutritious that they’re sometimes referred to as “super seeds.”

Flaxseed, chia seeds, and hemp seeds are commonly referred to as “super seeds”. When you eat seeds, you absorb the nutrients and put them to use.  Hemp, flax, and chia all embody the nutrient-dense power of seeds.

Flaxseeds are special due to being a good source of short-chain omega-3 fatty acids. Long-chain omega-3s, from fatty fish, are often praised for their anti-inflammatory benefits. Flaxseed contains a short-chain, plant-based version of omega-3s. Unfortunately, only a portion of the short-chain omega-3s you take in through diet can be converted to long-chain omega-3s, the form that potentially offers the most health benefits – but you do get some conversion. Flaxseed is a good alternative source of omega-3s for anyone who doesn’t consume fish. This super seed is also high in fiber, something most people do not get enough of!

Chia seeds are a rich source of short-chain omega-3s and are high in fiber, similar to flaxseeds. A single tablespoon boasts 4 grams of heart-healthy fiber. Unlike flaxseed, you don’t have to grind chia seeds to get the health benefits.

Hemp seeds are known for them being higher in protein than other super seeds and you still get the benefits of the short-chain omega-3s in hemp. Hemp seeds are also a good source of minerals, including magnesium.

A clinical dietitian’s main role is to design nutrition programs to improve or maintain the health of patients. These programs may be short-term or long-term, depending on the patient. A short-term example could be to ensure that proper nutrition is delivered to an accident victim until full healing has occurred. Or they may be long-term for patients with diabetes, kidney disease or old age conditions that affect proper nutrition.  The programs designed may be preventive, for heart disease or obesity, or therapeutic to help a patient with heart disease maintain a baseline health and nutrition state.

Dietitians will asses the persons’s nutritional and health needs.

For the nutritional aspect, the dietitian will counsel the patient on any nutrition issues and healthy eating habits. Creating meal plans that are nutritious, enjoyable, and affordable all are apart of a dietitians process.

As well as improving the patients health, the dietitian will promote better health by talking about diet, nutrition, and preventing or managing diseases.

As mentioned in another question,”What are the best immune support vitamins?”, vitamin C was listed as the first. We all hear how essential vitamin C is for our health but what are the added benefits with zinc?

Vitamin C and zinc play important roles in providing adequate nutrition and immune defense. It’s used as a dietary supplement to provide vitamins and minerals that your body doesn’t take in through foods alone.

• If you’re trying to get over a cold or avoid one, vitamin C with zinc is your best bet. People who take vitamin C plus zinc to lessen the duration of a cold typically report fewer symptoms, such as a runny nose, over five days of treatment. Studies show that using zinc lozenges within 24 hours of catching a cold can reduce the length and severity of cold symptoms.
• Wounds can be healed through the vitamin and mineral also. Vitamin C is needed for the body to form collagen, part of the skin’s connective tissue that plays a vital role in the healing of wounds, such as cuts. Zinc is needed for the formation and maintenance of the skin and mucous membranes.

Eating nourishing foods rich in certain vitamins can help your immune system fight off illness. The top three best vitamins

Vitamin C-

Daily intake of vitamin C is essential for good health because your body doesn’t produce or store it.  You can find vitamin C in oranges, grapefruits, tangerines, strawberries, bell peppers, spinach, kale and broccoli.

Vitamin B6-

Vitamin B6 is vital to supporting biochemical reactions in the immune system. You can find vitamin B6 in chicken, cold-water fish such as salmon and tuna, green vegetables, and in chickpeas.

Vitamin E-

Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that helps the body fight off infection. You can find vitamin E in nuts, seeds and spinach.

Medical Nutrition Therapy,(MNT), is an evidence-based medical approach to treating certain chronic conditions through the use of a nutrition plan. MNT can be defined as “a nutrition diagnosis as well as therapeutic and counseling services to help manage diabetes.” It is a key component of diabetes education and management. The nutrition plan created is ordered and approved by a primary care physician and implemented by a Registered Dietitian. The plan is carefully made for any certain needs of the patient.

At a MNT visit, dietitians counsel patients on behavioral and lifestyle changes required to positively affect long-term eating habits and health. Every dietitian visit includes both an assessment and an education portion. During an assessment, the dietitian evaluates the patient’s physical state, and assess overall nutritional needs.

Dietitians will take the information they’ve gathered in the assessment and provide patient-centered goals and individualized nutrition recommendations.