10 Things Your Nutritionist Won't Tell You

With the economy in distress and medical expenses edging higher, more people are turning to nutritionists for help with everything from making healthy meals for less to shedding pounds and treating diabetes. But the industry was already growing before the recession hit: The American Society for Nutrition, an industry group, says its membership has risen 40 percent over the past eight years. Clients seeking help from a nutritionist typically pay $50 to $350 a visit, scheduled perhaps once a week for someone with type 2 diabetes, or two to three visits total to shed 10 pounds.

Regardless of your goal, it's important to find someone with the right credentials: CCNs (certified clinical nutritionists) or a Ph.D. in nutrition are solid choices. Even better, say experts, are registered dietitians. RDs have met strict criteria, including a bachelor's or master's degree, internships and exams. What to avoid? Says Katherine Tallmadge, nutritionist and spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association: "If I found someone calling himself a nutritionist and doing hypnotherapy, I would run fast in the other direction." To find an RD in your area, visit www.eatright .org; for CCNs, go to www.iaacn.org.