FAQS

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WHAT IS A REGISTERED DIETITIAN-NUTRITIONIST?

According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND), "Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) are food and nutrition experts who have completed a minimum of a bachelor’s degree at a US regionally accredited university or college and course work 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 or combined with undergraduate or graduate studies (typically, a practice program will run six to 12 months in length); passed a national examination administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR); and completed continuing professional educational requirements to maintain registration."

HOW IS A REGISTERED DIETITIAN-NUTRITIONIST DIFFERENT FROM A NUTRITIONIST, HEALTH COACH, OR PERSONAL TRAINER?

A registered dietitian must meet all the qualifications listed above. In the state of Alabama, a dietitian must also be licensed with the state to ensure you are receiving safe and reliable nutrition information. Anyone can call themselves a nutritionist, health coach, or personal trainer. They may have taken a thirty-minute course online and have a certificate stating they are a nutritionist, health coach, or personal trainer. While these individuals have good intentions, they do not have the vast nutrition knowledge the registered dietitian-nutritionist have from the many years of schooling, internship, and continuing educations that are required of registered dietitian-nutritionist. They are also not legally able to provide medical nutrition therapy which is the key to long term success with dietary lifestyle changes and management of many diseases.

WILL MY HEALTH INSURANCE COVER DIETITIAN-NUTRITIONIST SERVICES?

Some health insurances will cover dietitian services. Prior to booking an appointment, we will review your insurance plan to see if services are covered. We are currently in-network with Blue Cross Blue Shield and Medicare.

WHAT FORMS OF PAYMENT DOES ESSENTIAL LIVING, LLC TAKE?

Essential Living, LLC must have a credit or debit card on file prior to booking an appointment. If you do not wish to use that card as payment, we also accept cash at the time of service.