JOURNEY TO RD: Lacing up for Third Year

A little background on dietetics and why I chose this as a career

I have always loved science. And learning about the intricacies of the human body and its interaction with nutrients. That’s why I decided to go into a career in dietetics.

What exactly is a dietitian?

Someone who has a minimum four year Bachelor of Dietetics OR Bachelor of Science in Dietetics OR a two year post graduate Nutrition and Dietetics degree

Someone who has training in ALL aspects and fields of nutrition therapy

Dietitians are the ONLY qualified health professionals that assess, diagnose and treat problems in diet and nutrition, when it comes to both individual and public health.

Using the most up-to date evidence on health, nutrition and disease, they have the ability to translate science into practical guidelines to empower individuals to make lifestyle and food choices that are appropriate to them as individuals.

Dietitians have to register at the HPCSA (Health Profession’s Council of South Africa) and maintain their registration by earning a certain amount of CPD points (Continual Professional Development points) by doing research, attending conferences etc. that keeps them up to date with the newest science in nutrition.

That is why, using the most up-to date evidence on health, nutrition and disease, they have the ability to translate science into practical guidelines to empower individuals to make lifestyle and food choices that are appropriate to them as individuals.

For more information on the profession of dietetics and great resources regarding nutrition, visit the Dietetics Association Of South Africa’s website and blog (www.adsa.org.za).

What studying to be a dietitian is like for me:

Most days, I can’t believe that this will be my actual career one day. Of course, there are days were the course load can get rough. Studying to become a dietitian is hard work. But seeing the difference that nutrition can make in someone’s life – from pregnancy, through the different life cycles, ending at the elderly, makes the hard work worth it. Of course, my personal interest is in sports nutrition, and seeing the impact nutrition can make in performance – both trough experience and by observing and speaking to athletes – makes me very passionate to learn as much as I can in order to help my future clients in the best, most effective way possible.

Learning about the science of nutrition is a bit like gathering tools for a toolbox. The knowledge of different physiological systems, biochemistry of reactions of reactions, how nutrients work and the interplay between our daily activities, our energy output and daily intake is necessary in order to know which tools – the nutritional interventions and strategies to be used for individuals – to select.

This semester, I have an exciting variety of subjects, including Biochemistry, two different physiology subjects, Clinical Nutrition to name a few, including my favourite – Nutrition in Practice, where we get to apply our knowledge of science and nutrition in real-world situations.

Where can you find a dietitian in South Africa?

When visiting www.adsa.org.za, click on the link on the homepage that says “find a registered ADSA dietitian in your area”. You can then type in where you live, and find a list of dietitians that practise nearby.

Whatever you do, I hope that you feel the same way about it as I do about dietetics. That you wake up every day, with a smile on your face and passion burning in your heart. As the saying goes, if you love what you do, you truly won’t have to work a day in your life.

Resources:

http://www.adsa.org.za/Portals/14/Documents/2017/ADSA%20leaflet%202016%20Updated%20final.pdf. Date of access: 2019