I narrowed down some of my favorite websites that provide some of the most up-to-date, scientific, evidence-based information. Check it out!
It’s that time of year again. Your professors are starting in with the research paper requests. Our advice? Pick a topic, research the case, ensure that your research is EVIDENCED-BASED, and don’t forget the citations page. My biggest worry when I was assigned a research paper was finding a topic where there was enough evidence-based research so that there was some truth to what I was saying. After many semesters of stress and panic, I’ve found these resources provide information that any nutrition student would geek out about.
If you’re not a student member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, you should be! As a member, you get the Food & Nutrition magazine sent to you physically or virtually every month. You also gain access to their database of research articles from various journals. All evidenced-based information, of course! An Academy membership is a win-win.
This website is specific to the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Throughout these pages, you will be able to obtain all the research articles and abstracts from the journal’s archives. There is always that one article you read three months ago that you wish you had now for that specific research topic.
The National Institute of Health has some great information on its website. If you click on the PubMed link, it will bring you to a database that allows you to search by whatever topics you choose. *Hint- if you are googling anything nutrition/science related, add NIH in the search bar, and it should bring you to evidence-based articles and information immediately so that you don’t have to weed through the information that we know isn’t true.
If you have any websites that you use for evidenced-based research information that I didn’t mention and you would like to share, please share the wealth in the comments section! Also, don’t forget that your school’s library usually has a lot of access to journal articles that you may have to pay for if you don’t log in as a student. The library is always overseen, but it has some great tricks on getting the information you want for free!
P.S. Subscribe to our Newsletter for more evidence-based articles sent right to your email!
Male dietitians are few and hard to come by. But, they are making an incredible impact in nutrition and dietetics. Learn about these rockstar R.D.s!
Where are all our male # RD2be’s at?! Dietetics is a great career path for both males and females alike. Although the field is currently female dominant, male dietitians are having great success in dietetics, doing exciting things, and making their mark on the area. While we couldn’t possibly give credit to ALL of the fantastic dietitians out there, we do want to give a special shout-out to a select few stand-out male dietitians.
David has been in the nutrition field for over 25 years. He has a wide range of experiences, including hosting a live radio show on health and nutrition, serving as a national media spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, and serving as the president and founder of a nutrition consulting firm in Chicago.
In 2012, Christopher was recognized by the New Jersey Dietetic Association and Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics as the 2012 Outstanding Dietetic Student for New Jersey. Since his recognition, Chris has continued to make a positive impact. He is currently the clinical nutritionist for the New Jersey Institute for Food, Nutrition, and Health and Rutgers Health Services.
Brett is a sports dietitian for Memorial Hermann Ironman Sports Medicine Institute, Houston Baptist University Athletics, and the Sugar Land Skeeters. He is a pioneer in bringing sports nutrition to high school athletics programs in the Houston area. Brett also spends time in the classroom educating graduate students on sports nutrition as an adjunct professor at the University of Houston.
Chris is an environmentally-focused R.D. and works as a clinical research associate for a Seattle-based biotech startup focused on nutrigenomics and scientific wellness. He was selected to be the first Agriculture, Nutrition, and Health Research Fellow with The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics in 2014. Chris was also awarded “Young Dietitian of the Year” by Washington State.
Angel is the lead dietitian in the Home Based Primary Care program at the Veterans Administration in Puget Sound, a Media Spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, and owner of private practice and consulting firm ACP Nutrition. In 2016, he was recognized by the Washington State Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics as Outstanding Dietitian of the Year.
In addition to being an RD, Jim is an ACSM Health Fitness Instructor. He is also an Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics National Spokesman and owner of Jim White Fitness and Nutrition Studios. He has received multiple prestigious awards, including the 2014 Young Entrepreneur Award and 2009 Virginia’s Young Dietitian of the Year.
Jonathan is very actively involved in the field of dietetics, serving many roles. He is a Registered Dietitian at Genki Nutrition, Diversity Leader for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Diversity Leaders Program, treasurer and secretary for the New York State Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, and Public Policy Coordinator Co-Chair for the Greater New York Dietetic Association.
Bonus
Bonus, check out this ‘Men in Dietetics’ video from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Submitting your DICAS application is an incredible feat! Here are some fun ways to celebrate before landing the dietetic internship of your dreams.
Congratulations on finally hitting the submit button on your DICAS application!
The All Access Dietetics team has put together a list of ways we think you should celebrate! Share your #DoneWithDICAS photo with us on social media (D.M. us if your account is private), and we will add it to our album!
Have a large glass (or two) of an adult beverage, but drink responsibly, people!
Sign up for an excellent fitness class and sweat out that stress.
Schedule a facial, massage, or another spa service.
Do a happy dance!
Eat a meal or snack that is NOT nutritious at all.
Sleeeeeeeep, then sleep some more… then take a nap.
Reset with a road trip somewhere nearby, but far, far away from your computer.
Hide all internship notes and don’t look at them (until you need to for the interviews).
Host a party with your dietetics friends!
Have a Netflix binge.
Take a trip to the grocery store and go crazy (doesn’t everyone like to spend time looking at new foods there or just us? LOL).
Try a new recipe for anything you are craving.
Bake some goodies and bring them to your dietetics class!
Spend a weekend at home with the family, significant other, or friends you have been completely ignoring the past few weeks.
Treat yourself to a much-deserved lazy day off from everything to completely disconnect.
Tell EVERYONE you’re done… tweet it, Instagram it, Facebook it, Snapchat it, blog it, even yell it.
Take yourself on a trip to the movies!
Have a night out on the town and dance your heart out.
Start reading a new book and cuddle up with a cup of tea.
Check DICAS off of your to-do list (even if you write it on your list and then immediately cross it off, it will feel amazing).
Share your trips with future applicants by making a video, posting to social media, blog, etc.
Start a blog with the free time you now have!
Go bowling with a group of friends, family, or fellow DICAS survivors.
Buy yourself a new outfit (but don’t go crazy… you will have an internship to pay for!).
Think of your online portfolio as an extension of your DICAS application. This tool could get you closer to landing the dietetic internship of your dreams.
If you haven’t created an online portfolio yet, now’s the time! Only some program applications require one, but you can still add the URL to your resume even if they don’t.
Opportunity to show directors examples of your best work
Remember to include projects or papers that you are passionate about to reference them in later interviews. Did you complete a unique project in your program? Feature it so internship programs can see it!
It makes you stand out from the competition.
No two applications are alike, similar to online portfolios. Your portfolio is distinctly yours and can be another way to stand out from the crowd and make a lasting impression.
Adds a visual element to your application
A dietetic internship director may remember you during your interview from your online portfolio’s unique logo or layout. This also serves as a way for internship programs to learn about you and your sense of style or flare. Make sure to stay true to yourself when creating your online presence!
It gives directors a better sense of who you are as a person
Directors will gain a better understanding of your personality through the details of your online portfolio. They will see your skills, such as attention to detail and creativity, which show promise as a dietetic intern.
It can be used again when you’re hunting for a job
Make sure to save your online portfolio and continue adding to it as a dietetic intern. Nothing will make a potential employer more pleased than an in-depth and highly professional online portfolio. As you grow through your nutrition career, remember to let your online portfolio grow with you.
Blogger, WordPress, VisualCV, and Wix are all great sites for housing your portfolio.
Are you not convinced? Check out this article from The New York Times for more!
P.S. Once your e-portfolio is done, join our Get Matched Coaching for a portfolio review from one of our coaches to make sure it is visually fantastic, organized, and free of grammar mistakes!
Distance dietetic internships can be a great option in becoming a Registered Dietitian. We’ve included the information you should know about this route.
Part I: The Application Process
When it comes to dietetic internships, distance internships are a great option. Some of the benefits include flexible scheduling, staying close to home, and the ability to select specific sites and preceptors you want to work with. However, with this comes unique challenges, so we put together a guide of things to be aware of when going the distance route.
Remember that every distance program is structured differently, so it is essential to thoroughly read their websites and contact the program directors if you have any questions. You can find distance dietetic internships programs here.
We always say that the earlier you can start preparing, the better, especially for distance internships! Why? Well, in addition to writing your resume and personal statement and filling out DICAS, you may also need to find preceptors for potential programs and have them fill out and return preceptor applications to you BEFORE February 15th (or September 25th) deadline.
First, research the programs you are interested in to learn more about their requirements. Here are some questions to ask when evaluating distance internship programs:
What rotations need to be completed?
How many hours need to be completed for each course?
How many hours a week are you required to work?
How many preceptors do you need to find?
Does the program help you find preceptors?
Are there specific requirements for the preceptors (e.g., at least three have to be R.D.s)?
How many preceptors need to be lined up before the deadline (all, some, or none)?
What kinds of facilities are acceptable?
Are there specific requirements for the facilities (e.g., at least one facility must be accredited by the Joint Commission)?
How will you communicate with the director throughout the internship?
How are you required to submit assignments and track your hours throughout the training?
Do you have to take online classes?
Once you know where you’d like to apply, the next step is finding preceptors if your programs ask for you to have them lined up before the application deadline. Make sure you understand the requirements for each program you’re applying to. This is crucial as you will need to supply potential preceptors with this information, along with an application to fill out from each program if they agree to work with you.
If you already have connections in the field, you may not have to look far to find preceptors. Some programs will even provide you with preceptors! Reach out to your contacts first and ask if anyone is willing to be your preceptor or if they can put you in touch with other R.D.s. You can also reach out to your local or state dietetic association to see if they can connect you with someone. Then, once you’ve exhausted your network, it’s time to make a list and start cold-calling R.D.s and facilities!
The truth is that some people may say no, and others may not respond at all, but don’t let this discourage you- it’s just how the process goes! There is plenty of R.D’S out there who know the importance of the internship, understand that someone did it for them when they were interns, and are willing to pay it forward to help you reach your dreams.
Here’s something to be aware of: some facilities, especially in large cities, already have contracts in place with local internship programs. This means that they may not be willing to take on additional interns, or in some cases, they may not even be allowed to. If this happens repeatedly, you may need to expand your search radius and be willing to travel a further distance.
Lastly, don’t be afraid to sell yourself to the R.D. and be clear about how YOU can benefit THEM! Do they have projects they need to be finished? Notes written? Handouts created? While they will be taking time out of their day to work with you, you can put your skills to good use and do work that benefits the organization while also fulfilling your requirements. At the very least, be sure to send them a copy of your resume. If your personal statement is ready, it doesn’t hurt to send this along so they can better understand your skills, accomplishments, and career goals.
Once you’ve been accepted, you may need to notify all of your preceptors to tell them the good news. If tentative rotation dates were already set, be sure to confirm them again, as things may have changed since February. An official contract may need to be signed at this time between them and the school.
Most programs hold an in-person orientation for anywhere from a few days to a week or more. This is an excellent opportunity to meet your director, as well as your fellow interns whom you’ll want to stay in touch with throughout the internship. In addition, Facebook groups and email chains are great ways to stay connected as a group so you can share your experiences, ask questions, figure out the assignments together, and motivate each other to keep going.
Distance programs require a high level of self-management, organization, and communication skills to ensure that you’re meeting the requirements of your program and getting the most out of your experiences.
It would help if you began each rotation knowing the number of practice hours you need at that facility, the tasks and assignments to be accomplished, and the goals you’d like to meet while there. Sometimes your preceptors may look to you for guidance because you have a better grasp of the program requirements than they do, especially if they’re managing interns from multiple programs.
Be prepared for the possibility of change at any time. Preceptors who agreed to work with you may get new jobs, facilities might back out for one reason or another, and your rotation dates and hours may need to be adjusted as you go. In cases like these, the best thing you can do is be flexible and go with the flow. Internship directors are well-versed in dealing with these situations, and they will provide you with the best steps to resolve any problems that arise.
The last piece to keep in mind is that, in some cases, you may be the only intern in a facility during a rotation, which means you won’t be sharing your day-to-day experiences with other interns. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but you may sometimes wish someone else who “gets it” is there with you. However, one of the perks of striking out on your own is that you get the sole attention of your preceptors and the chance to develop stronger connections with them. Joining your local dietetic association is a great way to meet nearby interns with whom you can connect in person, and you may even see some of them during your rotations!
P.S. If you’re looking for help with the more intense distance dietetic internship applications, Get Matched Coaching includes individual support to land the internship of your dreams!
Staying focused during the summer can be challenging as a dietetic student. Use these tips to help you enter the upcoming semester feeling prepared and refreshed.
OK, the dog days of summer are almost over (trust us, we’re sad too!). For me, summer is a time to explore, have fun with friends, and…prepare for the upcoming school year. Wait. What? Using your summer can help you go from average to a stand-out student. Here are my tips for staying on your A-GAME during those summer months.
Set up informational interviews with RDs who inspire you.
Maybe it’s just me, but I love meeting new people (especially in a professional atmosphere) so that I can hear their stories. Everyone has a little gem or piece of wisdom they are willing to share; you just have to ask!
Do I set these interviews up expecting to earn a job upon completion of my Dietetic Internship? No way! These informal interviews allow you to learn about the wide variety of careers in the nutrition world and help you expand your network of people in the nutrition world.
So pick up the phone and set a coffee date with an RD that is inspiring to you.
Volunteer in your community.
Volunteering is another excellent way to meet other people in the nutrition world, gain experience, and possibly tap into a passion you didn’t even know existed.
Yep, I said it…relaxing will help you stay on your A-GAME. During the school year, our brains are preoccupied with studying, working part-time jobs, getting involved in the school’s dietetic association, building our resumes, and the list goes on. According to current research, it’s SO important to give our brains mental downtime, and the summer is the perfect time to do it. Rest is when our brain can absorb and make sense of all of the information it has gathered over time.
So this is your permission to take a nap, meditate, take a yoga class, or go for a casual walk. It’s good for you!
Have fun!
After all, it is summer. Use this as your chance to get creative and do something that you LOVE to do. Train for a race, bake a cake, host a dinner party, hang out with friends, go on vacation, whatever it is that brings you pure joy…do it!
Let’s hear from you:
What is one way you are having fun this summer?
How do YOU stay on your A-GAME during the summer?
PS Are you in yet? Sign up for our newsletter here to receive monthly webinar invitations, free resources, exclusive experience opportunities, and so much more!
Imagine this. You finish your MNT exam, with time to spare, and you hand it in to your professor with the biggest smile on your face and you turn around and walk out the door knowing that you are an exceptional student and totally aced it. Has this ever happened to you? The anxiety of finishing on time, the worry and second guessing of whether you did that tube feed calculation right, did you give your “patient” enough protein? AH. The mental toll that MNT exams have can last for a while. Here are five tips to help you recover from after an MNT exam:
1. ONLY REVISIT YOUR NOTES ONCE.
Your first instinct when you leave the room after your exam is usually to check your notes to see if you got an answer correct. This is ok, but limit this time. Dwelling on something that you can’t fix won’t do you any good. Be confident in your answers. Adjust your focus to the positive.
2. EXERCISE.
As nutrition majors, we know that a healthy and balanced lifestyle includes exercise. Although this may not be something that you want to do right after your test, the endorphins that are released will help with the stress you just endured. 30 minutes of moderate physical activity will do wonders.
3. YOGA.
Breathe in, breathe out. Yoga is the perfect de-stressor. Whether you go to your local studio or find a great podcast that prompts you with the movements, yoga will help you declutter your mind and center yourself. Stretching out your body and letting go of the day will help you mentally recover from that MNT exam.
4. HANG OUT WITH FRIENDS.
DON’T talk about the exam! Out of sight, out of mind. This is easier said than done, but try focusing on other aspects of your life.
5. TREAT YOURSELF.
You deserve it! You studied for hours, rewrote your notes a million times, and stayed up late cramming in every last bit. Reward yourself with something that will make you feel great. Get a mani/pedi, go out for fro-yo, buy that new shirt that you’ve been obsessing over. Knowing that you’ve done your best is all that you can do at this point and treating yourself to something will give you a sense of accomplishment.
P.S. Now that exams are over, it’s time to start preparing for Match Day!
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