DEAR ABBY: I'm writing in response to the recent letter by "Linda of Howell, Mich.," regarding her son who decided to become a vegetarian. In addition to your suggestion that she visit her pediatrician, I thought you might like to know of the services that can be provided by a registered dietitian.
The initials R.D. indicate that a person has completed at least a four-year degree in dietetics or nutrition, a 900-hour internship in the areas of clinical and community nutrition and management, and has passed a national credentialing exam. Registered dietitians are food and nutritional professionals who provide counseling in maternal and sports nutrition as well as for vegetarians and individuals with heart disease, diabetes, eating disorders, and a host of additional medical diagnoses that are affected by a person's eating habits.
The American Dietetic Association is the world's largest group of food and nutrition professionals serving the public. The ADA is currently active in trying to get states, insurance companies and the federal government to allow for reimbursable "medical nutritional therapy," so that the public may benefit from health-promoting counseling to prevent and cure disease.
Thank you for the opportunity to inform you of the work of these professionals. -- MARY M. BILZ, M.S., R.D., RUTLAND, VT.
DEAR MARY: I have mentioned the American Dietetic Association in my column in the past. Although it didn't occur to me that a registered dietitian might also be able to help the mother of the little boy who refused to eat meat because of the cartoon he saw on television, it makes sense that an R.D. could offer valuable input to mothers of picky eaters. Thank you for the timely reminder.