Every week I get two or three emails from Paleo advocates saying they want to, are in the process of, or are thinking about pursuing a degree in nutrition. Each email starts basically the same way – “My name is (insert name) and I want to be a Paleo RD like you, but…” Yep, there’s always a ‘but’. Okay, let’s continue… “But… I don’t want to listen to, learn about, go along with the traditional ‘healthy’ diet guidelines and teachings.” “Do you have any suggestions for me to get my degree, and become an RD without having to sit through these classes?”
So, a little background – when I was in college paleo wasn’t as popular as it is now (it’s been awhile – yes, I’m getting old…). I was your typical endurance athlete and prescribed to a low fat, high carb, and for a while vegetarian diet. Yep, I was batting for the other team… Of course, time has passed (quite a bit of time…) and I’ve changed my philosophy – we’ve all got to start somewhere and rock bottom is as good a place as any… I was not faced with the same dilemma as the individuals sending the emails, but I can definitely see where they are coming from.
As far as suggestions and ways to ‘get around’ the Food Plate – let’s consider a couple scenarios… Think about your car – it needs gas to run, right? Now, the price of gas is a little ridiculous; and you (if you’re like me) probably don’t agree with or want to pay the high price – but… Yep, there’s that ‘but’ again – But, without gas your car is going nowhere fast. So, you’ve got a couple choices. Do you have to fill the tank? Nope, it’s totally up to you – but (there it is AGAIN), if you choose not to you better be ready to break out the two-wheeler and/or your walking shoes. Odds are you’re going to suck it up, fill the tank and pay the bill. Okay, next scenario (in case that one didn’t apply to you) – We are taking a trip to my hometown (also known as – ‘map dot’), we’re cruising down main street (all three blocks of it…) and notice the sign that says “Speed Limit – 10 mph” (no lie…). Considering we are the ONLY car driving down the street and we can see the end of the street, just past the railroad tracks where the U-Turn sign is; the 10 mph limit seems downright RIDICULOUS!!! But… (yep, again), being from this town you know that there is a very ‘delightful’ town police officer that likes to sit at the end of the street (gas station parking lot) and ‘kindly remind’ you to obey the sign. So, although you don’t agree with the exceptionally SLOW speed given the length of and traffic ‘flow’ on main street you go 10 (or park at the other end and walk – it’s just about as fast), to avoid a lengthy conversation about ‘what could have happened if’ you had been going 11 and cat, dog, or person ran out into the street.
Alright, enough ‘scenarios’ – I think you get the point. If a degree in nutrition and becoming an RD are truly your goals; you will suck it up, learn the material that’s taught and pass the exam. This is not to say that you can’t bring up alternative ideas in class or privately to your professors – you may be very surprised as to how open they are to other ideas. Understand that they are in much the same situation as you – there are certain things that they must teach as part of their job requirements. That doesn’t mean they don’t agree with what they are teaching, but they too are open to new ideas. Also, contrary to what many people think; a degree in Nutrition, Dietetics and Food Science entails MUCH more than just learning the ‘Food Plate’ – in fact, there is VERY little of that at all. College nutrition courses are much deeper than junior high health class. Courses in Nutrition and Metabolism, Nutritional Biochemistry, Organic Chemistry, Medical Nutrition Therapy, Counseling Techniques, Community Nutrition, Food Microbiology, Food Chemistry, etc. are extremely valuable and very light on ‘healthy whole grains’. The education you receive prepares you for the situations you will encounter with clients and on the job. You will be ready to explain your recommendations backed by science, understand and ‘decode’ research and statistics, and as an added bonus (post internship and exam), be an RD.
Next up on the professional block we’ll talk about working in a field, where paleo isn’t cool – yet.
Highly relevant discussion going on at Richard Nikoley’s on the topic of paleo nurses:
http://freetheanimal.com/2011/12/what-youre-up-against-update.html
And suck it up I will continue to do as I still have 2 years to go. Thankfully I put quite a bit of thought into where I was going to study as my professors and lecturers are quite open to alternative methods as long as it can be backed by science.
It does mean I have to pick which lecturers I challenge with my alternative thoughts and I have to find better quality references than my fellow students but I’m also respected a lot more for it by all.
In the end the hard work will pay off.
Thanks for the post Amy, it just confirmed I was on the right track.
Mykal
Totally meant Amy. My bad!
Stick with it Mykal! You’ll be SO glad you did! 🙂
Hi Amy,
Thanks for the post.
I’m starting my degree in nutrition in March and I’ve had the mental back-and-forth that you posted about.
Looking forward to learning heaps, helping people and using critical analysis and scientific principles to make a difference.
All the best,
Tim Brown
Hang in there Tim!! It’ll all be worth it in the end and we’ll have another team member!! 🙂
This is a great article! My undergrad degree is in nutrition and I think it is important to learn everything that is in the curriculum, even the Food Plate. How can you argue against it if you do not even understand it? I actually got turned onto Paleo by one of my professors that was actually a naturopathic doctor. With that being said you never know who you will meet. Do what you have to in school and the change a person at a time afterwards.
AWESOME Kevin! And you are SPOT ON!! How can you argue against it if you don’t know what it’s about? We’re going to get the message out eventually – we’re working on it! 🙂
Hi, thanks for the timely post! I’m just wondering if it’s ok to suck
It up and learn what’s being taught and then go out there and give paleo advice so different to what’s been taught.
Is that not a problem at all?
Aloka, paleo is a very sound approach to nutrition – it’s real food. There are not too many people that can argue the validity of that. And if you consider a vegan diet – food groups are eliminated there as well – they choose to eliminate meat and we choose grains. We are not selling anything, nor are we going against the idea that real food is the best option. Recommendations are evidence based and backed by many research professionals. I feel much better about recommending a paleo eating style than I do a regimen of low-fat processed foods and I believe that it would be very hard to argue that! 🙂
So glad you posted this but where to study to get the Paleo emphasis? I wouldn’t want to take courses teaching me more about the government’s food pyramid without consideration of alternatives.
Kelly, like I said in the post – there isn’t a lot of teaching about the USDA’s food plate and guidelines. The material is MUCH deeper than that! There are a few schools that offer a more holistic approach – Bastyr is one option and there is another in San Diego I believe.
While I don’t recall learning Paleo principle or studying the research in any classes at Bastyr, I do know that the instructors there are extremely open to exploring new topics, and with Paleo becoming more “popular/mainstream” I wouldn’t be surprised if it ends up in the curriculum. If anything, Bastyr is super integrative and you get to learn other holistic mmodalities of care (naturopathic medicine, oriental medicine, herbal sciences, etc). Plus, it’s whole foods based and you actually get to take culinary/therapeutic cooking classes!
FYI– the cafeteria is vegetarian (at least it still was when I graduated in 2010) and lots of tofu/tempeh is served, though they do have a knack for making it taste pretty good:)
I do find it valuable to have learned “traditional nutrition wisdom;” without this, how are we to understand where our clients are coming from and have an informed, balanced view of why people are SO confused about what to eat? Even though it can seem like a waste of time for people on the Paleo RD track, thinking of it this way might make it easier to swallow:)
I’ve heard great things about that program. Having instructors that are open to exploring new topics will definitely make the education more tolerable! 🙂
When I attended Bastyr it was the most closed, Orwellian-Newspeak experience of my life. The University of Washington med school was more open to evolutionary principles. Hopefully, things have changed…
When I attended Bastyr it was the most closed, Orwellian-Newspeak experience of my life. The University of Washington med school was more open to evolutionary principles. Hopefully, things have changed…
Good to know!! Thanks Robb!
For Canadians, there is also the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition (CSSN).
Bastyr is opening a campus in San Diego in 2012; the San Diego location will be its first campus outside of WA State. Initially the program offerings will be limited to training Naturopathic doctors, but it is expected that in 2013 or 2014 that they will commence with a Master’s/R.D. program in Nutrition. Not only is it a holistic approach, but an emphasis in research as well.
Thanks….do you know of anything on the East coast?
Hi Amy, great post! I really feel for those already into a paleo lifestyle and just starting a nutrition degree but you are right.. Many of the classes don’t focus too much on the “healthy plate” propaganda. The cool thing is that after you have the credential you can take your career in any direction you want. Not to mention the fact that after all of those science classes you are well prepared to continue to underdtand new concepts developing within the nutrition and health world. I’m looking forward to your next post as my current working situation isn’t too palo friendly (i am planting seeds here and there however). 🙂
Keep planting seeds Chelsea! Soon we’re going to have a bumper crop!!! 🙂
thanks! great post! I’m currently in the process of getting my RD from UConn, and while I do disagree with much of what I’m taught in school, I’m sort of surprised by how much I agree on some topics. Their ideas ARE based on science, they’re just stuck in the wrong paradigm in my opinion. Plus, I’m not the only paleo-oriented person in my program, thankfully!
AWESOME!!! Keep learning and we’ll see you on the ‘other side’ soon!!! 🙂
That’s so good to hear you aren’t the only paleo-oriented person in your program too!! Word is getting out! Best of luck finishing up the rest of your training!
You should look up Dr. Volek in the Neag School of Education. I was recently at the American College of Nutrition annual meeting where he spoke about high carb vs. high fat diets for endurance athletes and alluded to the fact that he supported animal fats.
For everyone else, the American College of Nutrition certification (through the CBNS), might be a viable option. I’m currently working on my certification which requires an advanced degree in a nutrition related field, 1,000 hrs of supervised practice and passing a comprehensive exam. The Certified Nutrition Specialist is a protected certification.
This is something I have considered. I haven’t pursued it yet, because I am 42 and am only at a sophomore level in college. After reading this, I think the best thing to do is to learn what is being taught so you can be better prepared to debunk that bad info.
Now, I just need to figure out how I can afford to get back into school working full time.
Right on Todd and Good Luck on the ‘back to school’ project!
Hi Amy! I can definitely relate…I’m in my last semester to become a Registered Holistic Nutritionist. It’s not a RD program, so the curriculum is different than the food guide. That being said, there is still a heavy focus on vegetarian protocols. Everyone knows I’m the Paleo girl in the school and often i get a lot of questions from people about it. There have been plenty of times where I’ve had to bite my tongue in class and want to scream. But you’ve got to just get through it and know that you’ll have ultimate control in the end. Even though I think some of the protocols are horrendous, I’ve learned so much and would recommend the program to anyone.
One thing to note is that in Canada, I believe if you become a RD you are bound to the Canada Food Guide. If you make recommendations contrary to what the government is telling people, you risk losing your license. I don’t have proof of this, but I have heard this from multiple people.
Hi Summer! I am an RHN in Alberta, and I have been led to believe the same as you… I have had RD’s here tell me that they have to advise patients as per Government recommendations, or be in danger of having their membership in the Dieticians of Canada revoked (bye bye certification).
This is the reason that I chose the holistic path… I did not agree with everything that they taught, but it enabled me to get the designation and move my career in whatever direction that I wanted without fear of recrimination.
What part of Canada are you in?
Hi Barb! I’m in Toronto. Did you go to IHN as well? I would love to keep in touch with you. I have not found any other RHN’s in Canada who practise Paleo nutrition, so it would be great to have a contact.
I am ready to accept learning what may not toe the Paleo line in order to earn my credentials, but my question is where do I get my Paleolithic education? Am I supposed to be simply self taught through my own personal research and application? Can we hope for some formal Paleolithic classes to be offered with some type of certification?
Sarah, at this point there are no paleo certification courses – but we’re working on that. For right now educate yourself – books, research articles, self-study, attend some of the paleo events and conferences if you can!!
Hmmm. I like the sound of that. I’m seriously considering this, and I’m spending the next year or so reading everything I can get my hands on while waiting for my youngest to be old enough to make a return to school possible. Any chance the program you’re working on will be ready by then? And will it have a distance learning component? Pleeeeeaaaasssseeee?
Shannon – the program that we develop won’t be a degree. It will be more of a continuing education program. I can’t make guarantees as to when it will be ready to launch or what the venue will be! Sorry!!!
Yes, exactly what Sarah says — I am very interested, but I have no idea where to turn! Where is a girl to start? Any suggestions, input, etc, are greatly welcomed!
Marci, start thinking about where you want to go – look into nutrition programs and get an idea of what each offers and requires. Make the decision based on what you’re looking for and where you’re geographic location is. Just jump in and get started!!
From one ancestral/real food, low carb RD to another, thank you very much for this post, Amy 🙂
You are so welcome!! 🙂
Thanks for this post. I, too, have just started toward an MS in Nutrition (my BA is in Communication). A related question for me, since I’m starting late (I’m 37) and I’m well past the point where I can be without a salary for the 10 month RD internship, is the RD designation necessary with an MS? Is there another way to get an appropriate credential for nutritional counseling? I’ll definitely be getting the MS no matter what.
There are some jobs where an RD is required, so it depends on what kind of job you are looking for. Anything in the clinical setting will require an RD, but if you wanted to branch out into community nutrition or other arenas, you may be okay with the MS. 10 months without pay and having to pay for the internship is definitely a huge undertaking, so figure out what your desired position in the field of nutrition will be first!
Jenn, I’m in the same boat – just starting my MSc in Nutrition with a BHltSci in Psychology (I’m 40). I’m in NZ, and becoming an RD is not an option for me where I live.
The Dietician vs. Nutritionist issue is quite hot right now, but the main difference is that a Dietician can work in a hospital and a Nutritionist generally can’t, even with a Masters degree.
As for having a more ‘paleo’ mindset, I am not finding this a problem in my studies, apart from when I have to spout the dietary guidelines as regards public health papers. In the ‘sports nutrition paper’ I anticipate rolling my eyes.. silently. The biochemistry, functions of macro and micronutrients, role of nutrients in disease, biometrics and statistical analysis, research skills, all of that is highly relevant and worth knowing, even for a paleo.
I just completed my internship last week (all that’s left is passing the ADA exam and then I’m an RD!).I had a distinctly paleo mindset during my entire nutrition education. To be honest, it wasn’t that bad. Yes there are bits of conventional wisdom, but it truly is what you make it. I chose to make the most of it, and I learned a lot. Loren Cordain gave me advice while I was a student. He said that even though my teachers more or less believed “conventional wisdom”, that doesn’t mean they don’t have a lot to teach me. I took this advice and it allowed me to brush off the conventional and focus on the other things they had to teach me. He was right. They still had a LOT to offer. This goes for my internship as well.
During my internship ALL my preceptors were very receptive to my ideas. At the Reno VA I even gave a full summary presentation of the Ancestral Health Symposium to the clinical dietitians and they loved it!
There is hope for this profession! Thanks for spreading the word and congrats on being done with the internship. It sounds like you had a very successful experience and I am so proud of the professors and clinical dietitians for accepting a different view.
Amy,
What do you recommend for those of us who have already complete Bachelors degree in a non-science related field?
I believe I would have to get caught up on all the graduate programs’ prerequisites. Then I would have to apply for a graduate program… would it be best to consider another Bachelors or does the field really prefer graduate degrees?
And what are some top notch school recommendations, if you have some with you? 🙂
Thanks for the great information!
Tyler, what is your current bachelors degree in? If it’s in a completely different non-science based area I would start with the Bachelors! The field doesn’t require a Masters degree – and you can always get that later too! Go for the Bachelors, complete the internship and get the RD credentials! Unless you only have a few pre-reqs to complete! That’s my thinking. Hope that helps!! 🙂
Tyler, I was in the same position that you are now. I have a bachelor’s in economics and then decided to switch gears and study nutrition. Because the certification that I wanted required an advanced degree, I had to spend a couple of years studying the prerequisites for the nutrition program. These included a year of biology, a year of chemistry, a year of anatomy and physiology, and a semester each of microbiology and organic chemistry. I was able to do these at a local community college to save money and that helped a lot.
There are other degrees out there besides the RD, so you might want to look around and find the one that you think is going to be best for you. Many are bunk, but some are, I think, superior.
Just to comment on this… I am currently getting what I need to complete my undergrad science courses I didn’t take with my art degree. Like Steven, I have to do all my Chem/Bio/Anatomy courses and then am able to apply to a program. It’s a lot of work but I really believe in the long run, it will be well worth the extra work and time and at a community college, the $ is very doable.
My Health Science degree is in Psychology. I had to do a Graduate Certificate as a bridging course into Masters in Human Nutrition.
In NZ you can practice as a Nutritionist with either a Bachelors Degree, Masters degree or Bachelors+Postgrad Diploma, BUT having a postgrad degree speeds up registration by three years. The rule is Bachelors + 5 years experience or advanced degree/diploma + 2 years experience for registration. You don’t have to be registered to practice but it’s a good way to weed out the university graduates from the ‘weekend course’ nutritionists.
maybe look at it from a different perspective.
If you actually learn and understand the theory in depth it is much easier to understand and explain whats wrong about it.
I am pretty sure that most people who are so convinced about the paleo diet will have a bit of trouble explaining when questioned on metabolism, pathologies etc. in depth.
View it as a chance to question what you already believe and learn what is true and what is not.
Great Advice!! 🙂
I was in another clinical allied health profession and woke up to the fact that a lot of the truisms in the profession were not borne out by scientific evidence, but most of the profession is too hide-bound to make changes. Meanwhile, the real practice of my profession was being eviscerated by the need to follow the dictates of third party payers who could care less if the treatment provided was of any benefit to the patient whatsoever, as long as it met their reimbursement guidelines. I got out–I could not live like that any more.
People entering the profession with some knowledge beyond the conventional wisdom have some hope of making a change, or at least steering clear of careers that demand they toe the conventional wisdome line. I feel for dieticians who realize that everything they were taught and everything they practiced is really bunk. Clinical dieticians in hospitals and outpatient programs are in the most difficult position, because they are not free to stray from the conventional wisdom. It must be excruciating when they wake up to the fact that grains, excess carbs, and PUFA’s are harmful and that saturated fats are healthful, yet they must still prescribe the old dietary approaches to patients who are harmed by them.
It really is difficult working in a conventional setting and having to adhere to their rules – but this can be said for any profession. You may not always agree with what you have to do at work or with what your place of work is doing – but ultimately if you want to get paid and keep your job, you comply. Now, this does not mean that you can’t voice your opinion (respectfully), and offer ideas for change. Having worked in management for a number of years, I had a rule with my employees – they could not come to me with a problem or complaint unless they also brought an alternative or a solution that was REASONABLE and in line with our mission and goals. I was Food Service Director in several hospitals and for an organization that used the National School Lunch Program and yes, I had to ‘go with the flow’ – BUT, I was able to tailor menus and counseling to focus on ‘real foods’ and did everything I could to make the recommendations I made the most favorable possible given my constraints.
If you are in such a situation – bound by a paycheck, do the VERY best that you can. If you are fortunate enough to be able to leave – great, but for many that is not the reality. It’s the small things that the people that are ‘stuck’ do to change to systems and status quo that in the end will ultimately make the difference!
This post is perfect timing for me!! I live in Australia and have just started my Adv Dip in Nutritional Medicine, and once that’s dine I will probably continue on to get my degree.
I’m already struggling with the grains and high carb recommendations, but have accepted the fact that I need to have that piece of paper, if people are ever going to take me seriously, or give me credit for my recommendations.
Paleo is still in the process of taking off over here, and I plan to be at the front of the pack, leading the way as best as I can! Thanks so much for putting it all back in perspective – looking forward to getting into the real nitty gritty sciencey stuff!! Cheers!!
Hang in there Gemma! It’s worth it!! 🙂
Thanks for the post Amy. What I don’t thing many people realize, and that you touched on, is that a significant portion of being an RD has nothing to do with food, counseling, or what your nutrition “perspective” is. I was very surprised by this when I started school. I really thought I would learn basic nutrition stuff (eat more vegetables, eat this/not that, etc), and was totally taken aback by all the chemistry, food service, etc that I needed to learn.
My job as a clinical dietitian at a hospital does not really require much counseling of patients and is more focused on nutrition assessments, calculating calories, and prescribing tube feedings/TPN. Although the formulas we use for that probably could be made of real food (and the pts would have better outcomes), that is not standard practice in a hospital. There are too many patients, who have too many different needs, with too many complicating factors to actually do that. A canned formula is the easiest, most hygenic, and safest route for them.
I was not aware of any of this when I started. I wanted to do nutrition counseling (glad I didn’t now). I think if people want to do more counseling or help people change their health-related behaviors they should go for a program to become a nutritionist (like the one I believe Diane from Balanced Bites attended), not the RD program. There are several of these around the country.
You can be an RD and believe in Paleo, but just be aware that your education is going to require you to learn A LOT more than just trying to help people be healthier. I wish someone had told me that from the beginning…thanks again Amy!
Ana, you’re so right! We learn so much more in college than just diet guidelines and counseling techniques – but it’s all the extra things (biochem, metabolism, medical nutrition therapy, etc) that qualify us to make the recommendations that we do when dealing with clients. We were taught how to read,and interpret research, and learned all about what food does in our bodies. Our in depth education qualifies us to make the recommendations that we do and understand why we are doing so. An RD program – while in-depth and all encompassing prepares us far better for the situations and clients we see and counsel than the education a ‘nutritionist’ receives. Be glad you did the work – you earned the letters!!! 🙂
What a helpful perspective Ana, thank you!
Western states university just started an online masters degree program in ‘clinical nutrition and functional medicine’. The predominantly online program will be headed by Dr. Alex Vasquez, DC.DO.NpD. , a well known functional medicine dr who preaches paleolithic nutrition. May be a good program to look into for those concerned about dealing with the non paleo approaches.
Good to know! Thanks Trevor! 🙂
Trevor,
Thanks for information! That will be good to keep track of. For now, however, their website (http://www.uws.edu/Academic_Programs/MS_Nutrition_and_Functional_Medicine/FAQ.aspx) says the following:
“We are not currently seeking to provide registration for the title of “dietician” for our graduates. “Nutritionist” is a general term that can be used without specific credentialing in most states; therefore the term is not very meaningful. We are working with various organizations to provide credit toward the certification programs they offer.”
Good article Amy. I did not read all of the above comments, but here are my thoughts:
I graduated from university with a degree in nutrition, and was trained to become a clinical dietitian. I nearly changed majors half way through when I realized what I was actually getting myself into. I only finished the degree to get the degree. I did not continue on to the internship since I decided I did not want to be a clinical dietitian working with half dead people in the hospital. I planned on going onto graduate school for something of interest, however recently I am reconsidering this and may in fact do the internship and become an RD. It’s the “out of the box, alternative thinking” RDs like Amy and others who motivate me to get the RD. Plus doing so will be quicker and less expensive than going to grad school.
As others have mentioned above, the training to become an RD does not involve as much nutrition as one would think. My grades truly suffered due to my lack of interest in learning about how to run a food service or how to feed someone through a tube. You would be surprised how little most dietitians know about nutrition.
I kept my mouth shut while listening to the recommended guidelines put forth by my professors. Not worth my time to argue. I bet only a few them are even aware of “paleo nutrition” or Michael Pollan, or so many of the other non standard USDA diet thinkers out there.
If anyone has any questions about the schooling or anything, hit me up on facebook.com/kjkranz
Thanks Kyle! 🙂
This post is so nice! I’ve been really struggling with the idea of continuing on with my nutrition program prereqs b/c I’m worried about my beliefs with the Paleo diet. All of these posts make so much sense! Thank you all!
Thanks Jamie!! Stick with it – it’s worth it!! 🙂
Fantastic post, and wonderful follow-up comments.
I’m a full-time working mom right now, but I’m squeezing in the reading of pre-requisite books (nutrition therapy, biology refreshers, etc), in hopes of eventually pursuing some type of formal education in this area.
So glad to see so many others who are also passionate about Paleo, and want to help others, too 🙂
Thanks for the support! Nice job squeezing in your own personal studies. It’s extremely important to investigate these topics and be proactive in your health. Good luck!
Thanks Faye! Educate yourself and then take it to the streets!! Helping others get healthy is so rewarding!!! Share your passion! 🙂
Amy, as an RD for the WIC program I am one of those people who is obligated to push whole grains, and the Myplate for that matter. (not sure how dairy got in that cup and not water??). Anyway, in the future it will be more of a possibility for me to leave this job. At said time, do you have any advice for a career path that would allow me to teach a paleo lifestyle?
Laura! I feel your pain – I’ve worked in hospitals and with the National School Lunch program – not exactly ‘paleo friendly’… I’m actually going to be doing a post on this exact topic so stay tuned!! And hang in there!!
Hi, this is very interesting although causes some cognitive dissonance because after researching various programs and career paths in dietetics, along with some informational interviewing, I decided to simply apply to a graduate program for something interesting, noncontroversial and with plenty of jobs available after graduating, and I’m now one semester into the 3-year program. While I feel fairly set on this trajectory I’m still torn between my passion for paleo nutrition and a related career, but I can’t wrap my mind around what _employment_ there is for a “paleo” RD. I see that many of them do consulting and write books – as for example those of you at this website. That’s wonderful, but I wonder if others without the visibility could make a viable living consulting – especially when most people really do reject these ideas. I don’t know if the fringe world of people who accept or entertain paleo principles is big enough to go into private practice or something in such a way that uninformed-yet-paleo-inclined people will pay for the nutrition services. In other words, the “paleo” people I’ve met were already highly self-motivated, well-informed and pretty self-directed; they didn’t really want a nutritionist by the point that they’d figured out Paleoism and decided to undertake it. Yet, I’m still so drawn to the idea of trying to swim upstream and pursue my passion that I keep coming back to this. But I really need to pay my bills, and soon.
Completely true, Shan. I have been ’employed’ as a non-paleo RD and was until just this June. I did paleo on the side for two years along with my full-time job, in order to get established. It’s a lot of hard work and by no means can you expect to graduate and go right into a paleo practice and if you do get that opportunity you are extremely fortunate! I worked hard and saved my money to be able to finally ‘cut the ties’ of the full-time job and go it as a Paleo RD, but I assure you it was worth all the blood, sweat and tears!!! Hang in there and work hard – you’ll get there!
Any new information on other Paleo-friendly RD, M.S. programs?
Bastyr?
http://www.uws.edu?
thanks,
Henry
I was looking into Berardi Vs Poliquin for a nutrition certification. Any feedback to offer on the two programs?
I am currently in my Dietetic Internship at Simmons College. is there a way to subscribe to Robb’s paleo rd network? I would love to connect with the other RD’s while becoming more educated on the paleo diet myself.
Shelby, there isn’t a ‘Network’ at this point but when there is we’ll let you know!
This is a great post. I enjoyed reading the comments and realzing that others are going through the smae issues as I am!
My undergrad is a BS in Human Health and Physiology and I want to pursue a career in the field of nutrition. My issue is I don’t know where I will be working in the future! I’m currently in the Air Force and will either be taking another assignment after this or getting out to be an Air Force spouse. I know there are a lot of different requirements from state to state and job to job. And I’m having trouble zeroing in on a degree program I feel is versitile enough to support my ambitions where ever the AIr Force may take me.
I’m wondering if anyone out there has some input or lessons learned on the subject!
I always tend to lean toward the private practice side of the job market. Ideally, I’d like to partner with a gym (or a few) and eventually branch out on my own from there. But the idea of teaching is very attractive to me as well. My highschool and college nutrtion classes (which I started out extremely excited for) turned out to be complete duds and I would like to give students a better experience.
If anyone has degree programs or pathways they could reccomend I look into I would GREATLY appreciate it. I know I probably won’t be able to find something that will guarentee credentials to do whatever where ever, but I can try! Good luck to all of you in your endeavours!!
Any online certification you recommend? What do you think about the Institute for Integrative Nutrition?
Thanks
I think they are very good.
What do you think of Afpa holistic nutritionist program? I just ordered all the books and dvds. They had Mark Sisson in their website as an example