Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Day is March 14

March 2, 2018

March is National Nutrition Month, and this month we’re putting the spotlight on our nutrition education team. Second Harvest dietitians Mindy and Christina help bring dietetic expertise to Kitchen classes, food pantry setup, meal planning and more.  

"Registered dietitian nutritionists are committed to improving the health of their patients, clients and communities through food and nutrition," says registered dietitian nutritionist and Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics spokesperson Rahaf Al Bochi.

"Consumers need to know whom to trust when seeking timely, accurate and science-based nutrition advice," Al Bochi says. "When you consult a registered dietitian nutritionist, you know you are receiving guidance from the educated, trained and trusted expert."

Mindy joined the nutrition team in 2016 to help create and implement nutrition education plans for partner agencies. She also supervises Second Harvest’s Washington Service Corps team and the school Mobile Market program. Mindy is a registered dietician and earned her Bachelors of Science in exercise physiology and nutrition from Washington State University in 2009.

Christina has been with Second Harvest since May 2017. She has been working with rural food pantries in our region promoting the Healthy Pantry Initiative and implementation of healthy nudging and providing nutrition education. Christina attended Washington State University-Spokane where she completed her Master of Science Degree in the Coordinated Program in Dietetics, Nutrition, and Exercise Physiology and is a registered dietitian.

Registered dietitian nutritionists must meet strict academic and professional requirements, including earning at least a bachelor's degree, completing a supervised practice program and passing a registration examination.

The majority of RDNs work in the treatment and prevention of disease, often in hospitals, HMOs, public health clinics, nursing homes or other health care facilities. Additionally, RDNs work throughout the community in schools, fitness centers, food management, food industry, universities, research and private practice.

Learn more about what a registered dietitian nutritionist can do for you at eatright.org.