can anyone manage to sort it all out? Bermuda's Registered Dietitians are your best source of accurate nutrition information. Moreover, they love answering questions about food, health and nutrition.

Registered Dietitians (RD's) are health care professionals, whose expertise is in the science of food and nutrition. Registered Dietitians who practise in Bermuda must have the following qualifications: A baccalaureate degree in nutrition or related sciences from a fully accredited university.

Additional dietetics training, generally achieved through a professional internship or a specifically-designed master's degree programme.

Be a fully qualified member of the professional dietetic association in the country where training was accomplished.

Be registered in Bermuda in accordance with the Professions Supplementary to Medicine Act.

Not all persons providing nutritional advice are Registered Dietitians. The Registered Dietitian in Bermuda has, like in most other countries, met a very high standard of professional training, so as to serve the public wisely.

Not all persons working as nutritionists have met these standards and therefore do not qualify to be registered. The public are advised that it is in their best interest to carefully check the credentials of anyone who provides nutritional advice.

One fact that you can be sure of is that the Registered Dietitian will not recommend an array of special and expensive food supplements and preparations, and they will not promote "superfoods'' as having special medicinal or health giving properties.

They know that the nutrients we need for good health are found in the food we eat, and they will put emphasis on a balanced diet.

Dietitians work with other health care professionals to provide nutrition care and teaching for persons with nutrition-related disorders. Doctors refer individuals to a dietitian who then conducts a nutritional assessment and designs an appropriate meal plan to meet the individual's needs, budget and lifestyle.

The dietitian also provides guidance to individuals and their families on making necessary dietary changes, including information on grocery purchases and suitable cookery methods.

The Department of Health provides a broad range of nutrition services for all segments of the population including written materials; talks given to schools, clubs and business groups; answers to telephone inquiries about food, health and nutrition; and individual diet counselling for pregnant women; infants; children and adults referred by their physician.

Nutrition Services are provided by appointment at the Hamilton Health Centre and during regularly scheduled hours at the Somerset and St. George's Centres.

Diet has been identified as a risk factor in six of the ten leading causes of death in Bermuda, including heart disease, stroke, hypertension, some types of cancers, diabetes, and cirrhosis. Since many of these problems could be alleviated by wiser food choices, dietitians spend a great deal of time promoting healthier eating habits for all Bermuda residents.

BETSY BAILLIE Nutrition Services Department of Health.