We’ve compiled nine motivating, inspiring, and fun videos from future dietitians across the country so you can learn, laugh, and stay on track to become an R.D.!
This past fall, we held the most epic America’s Next Top Dietitian contest! Here are the top 10 finalists and their inspiration-filled videos. Trust me; these are WELL worth the watch. And ICYMI, Rebecca Yellin, was our winner, and we featured her story here!
Narrowing it down to only 20 puns we’re NUTS about wasn’t easy. Use these Registered Dietitian-approved puns with your RD2BE friends!
We’re NUTS about food puns here at All Access Dietetics. Narrowing it down to only 20 favorites was sure a challenge but these food puns are sure to hit the spot. So, lettuce not delay, and get this punny party started!
After a year of long work, every future dietitian deserves a new gift. We’ve compiled our favorites below so you can treat the RD2be in your life!
Happy Holidays from the All Access Dietetics team! We put together the ultimate gift guide sure to please any future dietitian. Share this list with your friends, family, and co-workers, or treat yourself!
Any college student will tell you that coffee is the key to a successful semester. For rd2be’s, it’s that and so much more! Driftway is a subscription service that will keep your mornings and late nights fueled all year round.
Go green with this cute, reusable foodie tote! Take it with you to the grocery store and farmers market, use it as a bookbag, even take it with you as a carry-on while traveling! Brought to you by rachaelsgoodeats.com
ClassPass is a subscription service that connects you to hundreds of fitness studios in your area. What better way to treat your nutrition best friend than giving the gift of morning yoga sessions, gym memberships, and so much more!
McKel Hill, MS, RDN has captured the hearts of millions, including future dietitians. From her incredibly creative recipes to Instagram-worthy photos – we can’t get enough! Luckily for us, her cookbook is out, and it is everything.
Yup, you read that correctly. Nonstick shoes are a must in kitchens to prevent falls and are a practical gift that any dietetic student or intern would appreciate. Because who wants to buy themselves ugly shoes?
A planner is a MUST when you are a nutrition major. Passion Planner sets itself apart as being more than just a planner, but a to-do, goal-setting guide, sketchbook, and more, too.
Whether you are in the early stages of your dietetics degree or while preparing internship applications, All Access Dietetics has you covered. What better gift to receive than the gift of endless resources, confidence, and the support you need to get matched to a dietetic internship!
Krause’s textbook is THE nutrition bible, and every rd2be, intern, and RD uses it as a resource. Although the editions go out of style, the need for this textbook does not. Two thumbs up to gifting the newest edition.
O.M.G., how cute is this badge reel? The seller on etsy.com has several different food-related reels to choose from. Perfect for a school or hospital badge.
Take the time to investigate your options and think about what you want to get out of your dietetic internship. Follow these tips to help you decide.
What do you want out of an internship? This is a big question that can help you find your best path to becoming a Registered Dietitian. In this post, I will go through some ways to help you make that decision.
What do YOU want out of your dietetic internship? We all know by now that there is a great possibility we might not get matched with our first choice, but do you want to sit back and wonder what if? I have heard of students who decided not to apply somewhere because they thought it was too tough to get in, even though it may have been their dream internship.
Keep in mind that this is a time in your life where you can afford to be a little selfish. I realize that many people are not in a situation where they can move around the country, but if you are, embrace it! Be sure that you are choosing internships that are right for you based on your needs and wants, not based on convenience or the desires of others. If your top choice happens to be across the street or happens to be the same one that your best friend is ranking first, then that’s great! If not, listen to your gut– it’s usually right.
Many factors differentiate each internship program from the other. Consider what you can realistically afford to do and choose from programs that match your interests and experiences. I was willing to look across the country for internships.
I knew I wanted a general emphasis, was attracted to teaching hospitals, did not want a graduate degree yet, and wanted the option to do an elective rotation in Chicago (my hometown). Massachusetts General Hospital offered all of that to me, and that is where I got matched. When you apply to programs that match what you are interested in, your genuine enthusiasm for the program will shine through to the selection committee and reflect well on your application. The match works two ways—both you and the program should fit well with each other. Proving you are the perfect fit is what the application is for! Let’s dive deeper into defining what you want in an internship.
Deciding Factors
Location
Cost
Emphasis
Grad School
Electives
Affiliation
Rotation Sites
Final Thoughts
Have an open mind, and don’t be limited by the internship location, unless you desire to live in a particular area. Also, keep that open mind as you go through your internship; you could start with a passion for pediatrics and end with a passion for geriatrics!
Visit the internship program if it is logistically and financially possible. Meet the internship director; let the director put a face with your name! Also, observe the surrounding location of the internship and what that city has to offer. If you don’t like the site, it will make the internship that much harder. Contact previous interns and get their feedback about their experience beyond the workday. Past dietetic interns are more likely to tell you about how they de-stressed from the internship than directors. And again, have an open mind when applying and as you go through your internship program.
Make it Happen
Develop your list of deciding factors and define what you want out of an internship.
Keep these deciding factors in mind as your narrow down your list of worthy programs.
Start going through options early on! The earlier you start, the better off you will be.
Create a top-10 list, and narrow it down to your final 4-5 choices at least two months before the deadline.
Staying physically, mentally, and spiritually healthy when becoming a Registered Dietitian is difficult. Lisa Carrigg, MS, RD shares her advice to succeed!
Break Body Movement Time into Bite Size Pieces
Between moving to a new city, starting graduate school and trying to keep a part time job, I struggled to adjust from my previous rigorous work out routine into something that still fulfilled my need to move and work while not resulting in stretching myself too thin. As someone who also strongly dislikes sitting, I got creative and readjusted my view of what working out and fitness looked like.
When you know you are going to have a day of what I call extreme sitting, set yourself up so you can stand or stretch in the back of the classroom. I loved the “Daily” apps you can get for you smart phone because I could do 5, 8 or 10 minutes of shuffled moves for my arms or legs etc. right when I woke up or when I needed a break from studying. I also loved doing online barre3 classes and fitness blender videos with friends. Walk and talk meetings are a favorite of mine too. Redefine what getting moving looks like so it’s satisfying to you and fits your routine. Not everyone likes the gym and not everyone enjoys yoga. It’s all good.
Learn to Say No Thank You
With so many different and often equally wonderful opportunities in front of you to grow professionally and personally, it’s easy to slip into having a calendar with every minute, hour, day and weekend scheduled. Fairly quickly, this exciting packed schedule becomes stressful. Growing yourself professionally and seeking new opportunities and contacts is a part of your journey, but so is learning how to say no thank you. You do not have to do absolutely everything that comes your way and you do not have to feel bad for saying no to something. Even if you are saying no to something extra because you just need a moment of time just for you during which you have nothing you are suppose to be doing. Be thoughtful about your intentions behind choosing what to say yes to and that will help guide you in when to say no. How will this opportunity or experience help you grow? Why do I want to do this?
Take Time to Feed Yourself Well and in Good Company
I’m studying nutrition you say, I love food you say, I’m going to be an RDN you say. Of course I say, but you still need to nourish yourself so you can do all those awesome things. You are still human and probably a very busy one. All I am saying is to take time every now and then to share a meal with good company over good conversation. Conversation that is about the stuff that makes up life. It doesn’t need to be fancy food or in a fancy place, it should just be done with love. Nourishing others while they nourish you helps build everyone up (plus there might be leftovers!). Some of the best times I have had during the busiest seasons of my life are over lovingly made food accompanied by warm hugs, laughter and smiles. Feed your face and your soul.
It’s Okay to Cry Sometimes
When we are struggling, sometimes it’s easier to put on a good face, especially around friends or family who are on very different journeys (seemingly more successful or easy). Your journey is special and it’s not fair to compare it to anyone else’s, because it will never look or be like anyone else’s and that is something to cherish. It’s hard for those who love you to love on you more when you need it, however, if you don’t let them in. It’s okay to cry. In fact, it can be very therapeutic. We grow when we work through challenges. Finding a nurturing community to be a part of such as a church, a sports group, dance studio or perhaps even your school can help provide you additional emotional support. Who can you lean on when you need to? Do you tell yourself it’s okay to feel how you are feeling?
Practice Kindness and Thankfulness
Show kindness towards others as often as you can but especially towards yourself. Sometimes we expect so much of ourselves we get in the rut of only seeing what we think we did wrong. Stop yourself. Take time to re-set the thoughts you are feeding yourself and others about who you truly are. When you are feeling down take a few minutes to make a list of all the things you are thankful for or a list of all of the positive and unique things about who you are. Thank others often with hand written thank you notes or kind words. If you think something nice you should share it out loud. What can you be thankful for right now? What is one thing about you that you absolutely love (physical, emotional, skill wise, etc) ?
About the Author: Lisa Carrigg is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist with her Masters in Nutrition. She provides 1-on-1 virtual nutrition & wellness coaching at HealthyGroceryGirl.com & has an integrative, whole foods, plant based approach. She believes in meeting individuals where they are at and providing knowledge and guidance to empower them to meet their personal goals. Lisa is also a contributing expert to the Healthy Grocery Girl Membership & Community. To learn more & connect with Lisa visit HealthyGroceryGirl.com
Healthy Grocery Girl® is a wellness and video production company helping busy people and families enjoy real food and natural living. Healthy Grocery Girl keeps it simple and fun with weekly online videos & is the #1 Family Friendly Dietitian Channel on YouTube. Healthy Grocery Girl also provides an online wellness membership with meal plans, nutrition programs, video courses & shopping guides as well as video production services for brands looking to tell their story through digital content.
Spending time with yourself is a key to success in your DICAS journey. These tips can help you land the dietetic internship of your dreams!
When you schedule a date with someone you are interested in, you typically don’t cancel. You pick a meeting location that is comfortable, you put away your phone and minimize other distractions because, hey- you’re on a date. You want to spend some quality time with someone, right? Well, when was the last time you truly spent time like that with yourself?
Spending some serious solo time as you begin to embark on all the craziness and moving parts that is the DICAS process could be your key to a smoother, more successful journey, and the sooner you start, the better. A lot of what is being asked of you in this process is accomplished from you knowing yourself well. Now I’m not saying you don’t know yourself per say, but you really need to know what you want and don’t want career-wise and in your personal life and be able to express that in a sincere and concise way (personal statement, resume, interviews…oh yeah, all of them). Grades of course count, extracurricular activities, job experience – all of those good things. What can set you up for greater success comes from spending time getting to know yourself truthfully as you are right now and making plans for what you need. I could not be more thankful for fellow students and staff in my program at Bastyr whom invested in helping me on my journey and I hope to pass on some of what I consider the most helpful tips I picked up along the way to you.
So turn off your phones, pick a time and a place where you are comfortable and won’t be interrupted, get yourself a beverage of choice and settle in for some quality date time. I would recommend the following four self-date activities.
1. Create a Self Care Plan
DICAS is like a new acquaintance you are desperate to impress and with whom you hope above all else every interaction goes smoothly with. Something, whether big or small, is likely to go not quite as planned during this process though and already having a solid self-care plan in place will help you navigate these bumpy patches. While you’re busy pouring so much of yourself out into other things, it is key to be sure you are also pouring back into the amazing and gifted YOU.
To create your self-care plan to keep you sane and healthy, spend time thinking about the things that nourish you. What really lifts your spirits, makes you feel refreshed, relaxed, good about yourself, etc. How can you work these into your schedule? Is it a bubble bath? Hitting the dance floor? Cooking dinner with a good friend? Self-care time can look like anything as long as it nourishes and lifts you up. Make a list of at least ten things. Practicing self-care is taking time to value yourself and make sure you are getting what you need.
2. Practice STAR Statements
One of the things I worked on during the DICAS prep classes my advisor Dr. Harris led, which although I definitely tried to avoid doing, are what’s called a STAR. You should do these before you embark on revamping your resume or crafting your personal statement or essays. They will also help you feel more prepared later on for potential interviews. STAR stands for Situation, Task, Action, and Results. There are various resources online when you Google STAR statements that describe in detail how to craft them. It’s a specific exercise that helps you work on describing your unique skills and abilities succinctly and with specific examples or mini stories, so to say. It can be a little bit of a painful process, but trust me, it is well worth it.
3. Identify and Make Time for a Mentor
We all need people in our corner. The kind of people you can be completely honest and vulnerable with and whom you know will be honest but loving back to you. Who are these people going to be for you? Maybe it’s a counselor, a friend, a professor or a family member. Just know that those who haven’t been through and aren’t going through DICAS don’t completely understand what your experience is like. That’s okay, because sometimes you need to come up for a breath of fresh air and have a conversation that doesn’t include DICAS. Seriously, make it a point to have extended conversation that doesn’t somehow circle back to DICAS. Spend time thinking of at least two people you feel you can be vulnerable with and who you feel help remind you to be true to yourself and follow your heart as you work to do your best in all parts of your life. When can you plan a date with them?
4. Practice Shutting Down your Desire to Compare
You may be going through DICAS with a group of other people. If I haven’t hinted at this enough let me say it directly, this is YOUR unique journey. While commiserating is a common thing to gravitate towards in a group experience or during a challenging process, do your best to limit it. Practice shutting down self-comparison commentary both internally and externally which is easy to fall prey to in a group setting, even a supportive one.
You are different, your past and your future, from anyone else and this process is about YOU. Feed yourself true and honest, but positive things, about yourself as well as others. You have your own gifts and talents, focus on what you have and what makes you unique, and practice finding joy in celebrating those things in others. (Read more advice on this topic here.)
About the Author: Lisa Carrigg is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist with her Masters in Nutrition. She provides 1-on-1 virtual nutrition & wellness coaching at HealthyGroceryGirl.com & has an integrative, whole foods, plant based approach. She believes in meeting individuals where they are at and providing knowledge and guidance to empower them to meet their personal goals. Lisa is also a contributing expert to the Healthy Grocery Girl Membership & Community. To learn more & connect with Lisa visit HealthyGroceryGirl.com
Healthy Grocery Girl® is a wellness and video production company helping busy people and families enjoy real food and natural living. Healthy Grocery Girl keeps it simple and fun with weekly online videos & is the #1 Family Friendly Dietitian Channel on YouTube. Healthy Grocery Girl also provides an online wellness membership with meal plans, nutrition programs, video courses & shopping guides as well as video production services for brands looking to tell their story through digital content.
Studying for exams as a nutrition major can be difficult. These study strategies can help you succeed in becoming a Registered Dietitian.
P.N. and EN equations, Krebs cycle enzymes and intermediates, the steps in the Nutrition Care Process- there’s a lot of information that a future dietitian must know. Future RD’s must get good grades in classes and excel in the internship and then pass the R.D. exam. Gone are the days that you have only your textbook and pen and paper to study. Now there are so many online tools that are designed to help you get better grades. Here are five strategies that will help you be more focused and better prepared for your exams.
1. Use Flashcards
You can even save yourself the money you typically spend on 3X5 cards to make flashcards using Study Stack. You can search for flashcards that other students have already made, create your flashcards, and then practice and play games with your online flashcards. Flashcards are a great way to study for any exam.
2. Avoid Distractions
How many times have you clicked on Facebook when you should be studying for that next biochemistry exam? Use ways to help monitor your distractions, like StayFocusd. StayFocusd is an extension for Google Chrome that allows you to configure how much time you spend on specific pages. Once your allotted time has been used, the site will be inaccessible for the rest of the day. With nearly 5,000 reviews, this support tool has helped a lot of people stay focused.
3. Create Study Groups
If you live close to your classmates, form a regular study group with study goals set at the beginning of each session. If you would like to connect and study with students virtually, you can use StudyRoom. StudyRoom allows you to communicate with your classmates by setting up a dashboard and sharing materials or asking questions. You need your school email address, and then you click into specific classes.
4. Plan studying into your Calendar
Cramming for a test lowers your ability to retain information. Create a balanced study schedule to help your brain keep what you learn. GoConqr allows you to create a study schedule and manage and track tasks. It also allows you to develop other study tools to gain insight into which topics you are mastering and which ones you need to study more.
5. Take Breaks to Eat and Move During your Study Sessions
When you study, you are using energy, so take time to refuel. And take time to stretch and move your body. If you need a reminder, Stand Up! is a flexible work break timer that allows you to set timers within your schedule.
Finding the right study tools and techniques may be a trial and error process but find what works for you. Have you found an online study tool that has helped you master your nutrition classes?
P.S. The Study Smarter Method has helped hundreds of RD’s pass the exam. Learn more about Pass The Exam Prep.
Since 2008, we've made it easier to become a dietitian by coaching thousands of future dietitians to get accepted to dietetics programs, pass the RD exam, and become confident dietitians.
