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Let’s face it, nutrition is overwhelming. And finding a dietitian in your area that takes your insurance prevents some people from seeking out nutrition education.
But what if there were a dietitian in your community that is readily accessible, knowledgeable and completely free?
It turns out these fully credentialed nutrition experts may be in the aisles of your local supermarket. You don’t even have to set up a time to meet with them or travel to an office. They are ready and willing to provide nutrition education and help you make informed food choices while you shop.
And if you can’t make it into the store, they offer virtual classes to educate people (both near and far) about nutrition. “Overall, the goal of our program is just to provide nutrition education to our customers (and) to help them find their version of healthy,” says Emily McGee, one of the registered dietitians on the Stop & Shop Nutrition Partners team.
As a registered dietitian myself, I spoke with registered dietitians at three different grocery stores to learn more about what they do and their impact on the community.
What nutrition services are available in the supermarket?
Supermarket dietitians, often called retail dietitians, have a variety of offerings for local shoppers, as well as virtual programs that provide nutrition education to people around the world. Below are some of the many services:
In-store and community nutrition assistance
Allison Stowell, a dietitian at Hannaford supermarket, is based in the store. Daily, you can find her in the aisles assisting shoppers with their nutrition questions and food choices. “I know a supermarket can be an overwhelming and stimulating experience, and it’s easy to lose track of your goals; you have about 10 seconds to help someone move one step forward,” says Stowell.
In addition, she works…
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