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Practice Trends

Learn about hot topics and latest developments in nutrition and dietetics.

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Dietitian calculating nutrition needs of patient or client

Adjusted or Ideal Body Weight for Nutrition Assessment

Many of the resting metabolic rate, also known as RMR, equations that are used today by registered dietitian nutritionists are based on actual body weight. Learn about research evaluating the use of adjusted body weight and what to do if RMR can't be measured by indirect calorimetry.

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Plate of rice and cod fish represent an article detailing foods with arsenic and ways a registered dietitian nutritionist can help at-risk populations find safe food options.

Arsenic in Foods

Eating a variety of foods is encouraged as a way to limit exposure to contaminants, such as arsenic. Registered dietitian nutritionists can assist parents in determining safer food choices for infants and young children and when counseling other at-risk populations.

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Dietary Supplements

The use of dietary supplements in the United States has continued to rise despite concerns regarding their safety and effectiveness. A study featured in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics found that adults were "two and a half times more likely" to use dietary supplements while taking prescription medication compared to adults without a diagnosed medical condition.

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BMI for Children and Adolescents

Body mass index (BMI), an indirect measure of body fat based on height and weight, has traditionally been used in the screening and assessment of overweight and obesity and is independent of age and sex when used with adults.

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Sesame, named the 9th major food allergen in the United States, comes in forms including oil, seeds and more.

Sesame: Ninth Major Food Allergen in U.S.

It is estimated that around 1 million Americans have a sesame allergy. Yet, until recently, sesame was not considered to be one of the major food allergens in the United States; labeling of sesame as an allergen on packaged food products was not required until 2023.

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 Coconut Oil

Coconut Oil

After its use decreased in recent decades due to its high saturated fatty acid content, coconut oil has been making a comeback.

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MNT for Pressure Ulcers

The recommendations relating to the Prevention and Treatment of Pressure Ulcers/Injuries: Clinical Practice Guideline have recently undergone their third revision by the European Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel (EPUAP), the National Pressure Injury Advisory Panel (NPIAP), and the Pan Pacific Pressure Injury Alliance (PPPIA).

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Histamine Intolerance

Each person's level of tolerance to histamine is unique and ever changing, so the approach to reduce dietary sources of histamine needs to be individualized for patients or clients with a suspected intolerance.

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Nutrients that Support Eye Health

Macular degeneration, also known as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), is one of the main reasons for vision loss in older adults and is the most common cause of legal blindness in the U.S. and other developed countries.

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Thalassemia

In addition to iron-related issues, patients with thalassemia are at risk for other morbidities due to poor nutritional status, and these can affect growth, bone mineralization and immune function.

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The Mediterranean Diet

The term "Mediterranean diet" can be used to describe the eating pattern of at least 16 countries that border the Mediterranean Sea, which presents some difficulty in characterizing a Mediterranean diet.

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Salicylate Sensitivity

The family of compounds called salicylates is found naturally in many plants, but the amount can vary depending on the plant species and its growing conditions.

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Dietary Fiber

Dietary fiber is undoubtedly an essential part of a healthy eating plan, yet its effect as a nutrient has been somewhat elusive.

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Holiday Weight Gain

A regular question received by registered dietitian nutritionists in the United States focuses on how much weight is gained on average during the holiday season.

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Metrics for Assessing Abdominal Obesity

The ratio of weight to height is measured in body mass index (BMI) and is used to estimate adiposity, however it does not provide information on the distribution of body fat or a full picture on individual health risks.

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Phenylketonuria

PKU occurs when the body is deficient in the enzyme, phenylalanine hydroxylase, which converts the essential amino acid phenylalanine (Phe) to tyrosine.

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