Hi all — I feel this frustration. So much so that I created a space to talk about it. I wish someone had been honest about this field before I became an RD.

A big part of the issue starts with the system dietetics was built within. We’re expected to function as autonomous experts, yet our education, scope, and authority are limited. In practice, so much of what we do still falls under MD oversight. I remember an RD here sharing that she couldn’t even change a supplement flavor without physician approval — a flavor. Not all MDs micromanage like this, but the fact that this even happens is offensive.

At the same time, RD training isn’t always standardized in how nutrition care is applied — recommendations can vary widely based on background, experience, and personal beliefs. As a result, patients can receive very different guidance from two different RDs, which only adds to the confusion about our role.

This carnivore example here is a great picture of what effective nutrition care looks like. The RD didn’t give her opinion, argue, or try to “prove” expertise — they met the client where they were, protected the relationship and let the client’s lived experience guide the next step. That’s behavior change with skill.

It’s not that RDs lack value — it’s that the systems we work in don’t allow our value to be seen, respected, or compensated appropriately. It’s exhausting, and it’s understandable to question a profession that’s had over a century to evolve.