By Emily Wood, RD

Becoming vegan/vegetarian is such a wonderful thing. Being vegan myself has had a huge positive impact on the way I think and feel about food and the environment. However, just skipping out on the meat and other animal products is not enough. It is important to know what nutrients you need to pay attention to in any diet or lifestyle. Even with being a Registered Dietitian, I sought out guidance from books and other Dietitians’ websites that specialize in plant based eating, to help me through my own transition to vegan eating.

Registered Dietitians are your food and nutrition experts that can guide your eating to ensure that you are getting all the vital nutrients that your body needs. Registered Dietitians are different from nutritionists and health coaches, so be sure to check for the “RD” next to their name. Dietitians have 4 plus years of college under our belts, have passed a registration exam, and have completed a large amount of internship hours. Dietitians are also required to complete a certain amount of continuing education credits, so we’re up to speed on all the latest research and nutrition news.

Us Dietitians are everywhere! But there are a few good places to go to narrow us down. One place is www.eatright.org, which is the website for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. At the top of the page you will see a link for “Find an Expert.” Once you click on that you can search by zip code or specialty (there is a check box for Dietitians that specialize in vegetarian eating). Your health insurance company can also give you a list of Dietitians in your area that accept your insurance. Insurance coverage varies, so it is best to check what your individual plan covers. Not all Dietitians accept insurance, and rates can vary widely, so don’t be afraid to drop them an email or give them a call to find out what their rates are.

It is so important to feed your body the nutrients it needs to thrive. You can absolutely get what you need from eating plants alone, but if needed for your circumstances, don’t be afraid to seek out the help from an expert.

Emily Wood is a Registered Dietitian who is passionate about sustaining the environment, while helping people live happier and healthier lives through plant based eating. Connect with her on her webpage www.emilywoodrd.com or email her at [email protected]