FAQ

What is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist?

Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDN) are food and nutrition experts who have met the following criteria to earn the RDN credential:

Completed a minimum bachelor’s degree accredited or approved by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Completed an ACEND-accredited supervised practice program at a health-care facility, community agency, or a foodservice corporation. Typically, a practice program will run 6 to 12 months in length.
Passed a national examination administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR).
Completed continuing professional educational requirements to maintain registration.

What is a Registered Dietitian (RD) versus a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)?

Nothing. They are the same and the credentials can be used interchangeably.

Remember: Every Registered Dietitian is a nutritionist, but not every nutritionist is a Registered Dietitian.

Are you a personal trainer?

No. A personal trainer is someone who has earned a certification for creating exercise programs for individuals and groups. Some dietitians are also certified personal trainers, but I am not. It is recommended that you seek guidance from a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) as they have higher standards for certification.

Can I use a food logging app such as MyNetDiary or MyFitnessPal instead of a Registered Dietitian?

Apps can be great tools for providing general nutrition guidance and self-monitoring.

There are many considerations that affect your nutritional needs. Apps often underestimate actual macronutrient needs especially for athletes and active individuals. It is best to seek guidance for individualized recommendations based on your current health status and performance goals.

Self-monitoring and food intake awareness are important for long-term success, but this may or may not require food logging. You have the option to track food intake through your client portal allowing me to give you direct feedback and suggestions while we are working together.

Do you recommend supplements?

Supplement recommendations are individualized based on your dietary intake, nutrition needs, and performance goals. We will discuss supplement safety for choosing sport or dietary supplements. Always look for trusted 3rd party testing (USP Verified, NSF Certified for Sport, and Informed Sport) and purchase from a trusted source.

Athletes should choose NSF Certified for Sport or Informed Sport supplements to minimize the risk of positive drug testing to steroids or banned substances.

Tailored supplement recommendations are made through Fullscript, a professional-grade dispensary. Fullscript validates supplements for their potency in addition to 3rd party testing and follows Good Manufacturing Processes (GMP) to ensure product quality all the way to your front door.

Do you accept insurance?

I am not currently in network with insurance. I want to provide you with the most comprehensive assessment and planning that is appropriate for you and do not want to be limited to whom I can provide nutritional counseling based on diagnosis code and allowed time determined by an insurance company.

How does this process work?

The first step is booking a consultation!

Next, you will receive electronic documents to complete and sign. One of the documents you will receive is a detailed intake questionnaire. The more information you provide, the better I can help you when creating your plan and preparing for our consultation.

We will meet in-person or virtually to discuss your plan and answer your questions. It is recommended to schedule a follow-up within two to three weeks after our initial session to address challenges and barriers to implementing your plan.

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RD versus RDN

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Registered Dietitian Nutritionist

FAQ

Jena Brown RD, CSSD, LD

Jena Brown
RD, CSSD, LD