What is a RD?!?!

So what is a RD??

Registered Dietitians (RDs) are food and nutrition experts who have met the following criteria to earn the RD credential:

• 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 of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
• Completed a supervised practice program (Internship) at a health-care facility, community agency, or a food-service 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.
• Completed continuing professional educational requirements to maintain registration.

Some RDs hold additional certifications in specialized areas of practice. These are awarded through CDR, the credentialing agency for the Academy, and/or other medical and nutrition organizations and are recognized within the profession, but are not required.
Some of the certifications include pediatric, renal nutrition, sports dietetics, nutrition support and diabetes education.
In addition to RD credentialing, many states have regulatory laws for dietitians and nutrition practitioners.(AND, eatright.org)

In O-chem!

Aww..graduation!

To sum up the above description: 
It takes, at least, 4 long years to get a Bachelors Degree (including suffering through Organic chemistry, Microbiology, and many many many more science classes!)

At least 7 months of surviving an internship (basically working for free).

Finally, studying AND passing a nationally certified exam.

Also, RDs have to maintain a Code of Ethics, which includes evidenced based practice. For example, nutritional education and therapies must be backed by scientific research.
We just don't make this stuff up! 

Now everyone knows what RD stands for and represents! Phew!