What is a Registered Dietitian? How does one differ from a nutritionist?

• A Registered Dietitian (RD) is the most reliable source of evidenced based nutrition information.  Registered Dietitians are required to hold a Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree, complete 1200 hours of supervised practice, and pass a National Dietetic Registration examination. Many dietitians continue their education to specialize in areas such as sports nutrition, diabetes, renal, and pediatric nutrition. The title of Registered Dietitian is protected by law in many countries including the United States.
• A nutritionist is a non-accredited title that may apply to somebody who has done a short course in nutrition or who has given themselves this title. The term Nutritionist is not protected by law in almost all countries so people with different levels of and knowledge can call themselves a “Nutritionist”.

How can working with a Registered Dietitian help me meet my fitness goals?

• There are no one size fits all diets. To see results and reach your goals, it’s important to follow a diet that meets your individual needs. 
• A registered Dietitian collects information on each client’s lifestyle, food preferences, food allergies/ intolerances, and current dietary and fitness patterns.
• Based on a nutrition assessment, a dietitian will work with athletes to develop and prioritize their nutrition goals and design a customized nutrition plan.
• A Dietitian can provide information regarding supplementation for athletes.

Juana Acosta

Registered Dietitian

My passion for health and nutrition began as a young competitive athlete. I found that sports helped me reach my health and personal goals. During college I discovered that my passion for fitness was unfulfilled with sports alone, so I pursued a Master’s of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics. Now I have a comprehensive understanding of nutrition, performance and health. Upon discovering CrossFit, I instantly fell in love with the sport. I found a desire to progress the athlete’s performance by using holistic and integrated approach to design individualized meal plans that work for the athlete’s unique situation and goals.

I believe that there is no such thing as a one size fits all approach; rather there is an infinite amount of ways to approach diet to accomplish them. I place an emphasis on transitioning the client into a new and improved lifestyle filled with more energy, strength and endurance.

Whether you are looking for fat loss, sport performance, correcting digestive issues, managing diabetes or you are looking to understand proper nutrition that can work for you, feel free to contact me.

Caitlin McKee

Registered Dietitian

 I was a competitive gymnast and gymnastics coach for several years. I gradually realized how critically nutrition impacts sports performance and how much misinformation is available to athletes regarding proper nutrition. After having completed my Bachelor’s degree in Exercise and Sports Science and having worked in the field of Corporate Health and Wellness, I returned to school for my Master’s of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics to better understand the Science of Nutrition and share it with other experienced or novice athletes who want to improve their performance.

Athletes and non-athletes alike are bombarded with information regarding a myriad of diets supposedly designed to target weight loss, sports performance, health and disease management without any parameters for deciding what route is appropriate for their individual lifestyle and abilities. My goal is to assist you in assessing how your nutrition is impacting your goals, (whether they be in the realm of performance, weight loss, or health management) and working with you to create a personal, unique plan for your success.

Check the BLOCK Crossfit website regularly for information related to sports nutrition, recipes, and tips on how to eat healthier and perform at your best. We are also available for one on one consultations.

For more information contact: Juana at juanaacostard@gmail.com and Caitlin at caitlinmckeerd@gmail.com