death in Bermuda, including heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, diabetes and certain types of cancer. It isn't any wonder that the fourteen nutrition professionals that make up The Bermuda Dietitian's Association manage to keep themselves busy! Registered Dietitians (R.D's) are health care professionals, whose expertise is in the science of foods and nutrition. In order to practice in Bermuda they will have first met the standards of education and training required by law here, which includes a minimum of a baccalaureate degree in nutrition or related sciences and an approved professional internship or specifically-designed master's degree programme.

They must be fully qualified and registered in the country where their training was accomplished before they can be registered with The Professions Supplementary to Medicine in Bermuda.

Dietitians (R.D.'s) work with other health care professionals to provide nutrition care and education. They believe that the nutrients we need for good health are found in the food we eat, and will put an emphasis of a healthy diet rather than promote the necessity for expensive food supplements.

Dietitians work in many diverse areas within our community. Most people are aware that the hospital employs several dietitians that are involved in both inpatient and outpatient nutrition care as well as the hospital patient food service.

The Bermuda Government also employs dietitians who provide services for all segments of the population including written nutrition education materials, school health programmes, educational talks to community groups and businesses as well as individual counselling for persons requiring special dietary advice.

There are also dietitians working in private practice. Their work involves both private and group nutrition counselling and education programmes.

Patients can be referred by their physician but many also seek the help of the dietitian on their own.

In fact there has been such an interest in better nutrition over the last years that even Bermuda's restaurants have become involved in providing healthier menus. A special course to educate chefs on good nutrition started Nutrition Consultant Services has seen close to 100 culinary professionals take part in the programme since 1996.

You will also find dietitians involved in teaching health, fitness and nutrition courses as part of The Bermuda College Continuing and Applied Studies programme.

The Bermuda Dietitians' Association is dedicated to promoting health and well-being in our community through their expertise in food and nutrition. As a group they meet regularly to work on ways to help improve the knowledge of good nutrition and encourage healthy nutrition practices for all the people of Bermuda so that we may live as a healthier nation.