The grocery store is an ideal place for a dietitian to connect with consumers, because that is where food choices and decisions are made.
By: Krystal Register, MS, RDN, LDN, Vice President, Health & Well-being, FMI
Did you know that registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs) across the country are providing one-on-one nutrition counseling right at the grocery store?
Tag along as we learn more about a day in the life of Shelly Asplin, MA, RDN, LMNT, LD, CDCES, who brings her medical nutrition therapy skills to her job as a Hy-Vee Dietitian. Shelly focuses on one-on-one nutrition counseling to help customers optimize and achieve their health goals, right at the grocery store.
Hy-Vee is committed to health and has recognized the need to have nutrition experts conveniently guide consumers. As many doctors' offices do not have RDNs on staff, the grocery store becomes a natural healthcare partner to optimize and improve health in the community.
The grocery store is an ideal place for a dietitian to connect with anyone interested in personalized nutrition guidance, because that is where food choices and decisions are made. After meeting with a retail dietitian, like Shelly, a customer can walk right out to the grocery store aisles to compare and select products that meet their personal needs.
In addition to meeting with customers in person at the store, Shelly is able to offer secure telehealth services to meet with people virtually, which can extend dietitian services to rural areas and even to other states.
Many people are surprised to learn that insurance can cover the cost of meeting with a dietitian. Decades of research show that early intervention with a dietitian can help prevent and even reverse disease. Insurance reimbursement for these services helps increase access to life-changing nutrition interventions and improves overall public health. People want credible nutrition guidance, and getting helpful information right at the local grocery store is a win-win situation.
From the FMI 2024 Report on Food Industry Contributions to Health & Well-being, we know that dietitians across the food industry are working in various leadership roles, strategizing with their companies on everything from private label and merchandising to food as medicine and ecommerce. This video is the second in a series to highlight the incredible work of dietitians in unique roles across the food industry.
Click to watch how Shelly puts her personal passion and professional expertise to work!
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