About Us/ FAQs

What does RD/LD stand for?
In the United States of America, RD is the national professional designation of a Registered Dietitian (RD), LD is the state designation for a Licensed Dietitian (LD). Registered Dietitian is a national designation requiring the successful completion of a college degree, followed by or in conjunction with an internship/work study program, and passing a national registration exam to be allowed to practice as a dietitian. Seventy-five (75) continuing education credits are required every five (5) years to maintain the registration. Additionally many states have their own licensing boards with similar requirements; LD is New Mexico’s (USA) licensing requirement for practicing Registered Dietitians.

What is a nutritionist?
Anyone can call themselves a nutritionist in the USA! There are no degree, internship or examination requirements. You do not need to be licensed or registered to call yourself a nutritionist or nutrition expert. Certified Nutritionist (CN) can mean different things in different states. Some states license nutritionists that have a Master’s degree but have not completed an internship or passed the registration exam, and use the title Certified Nutritionist or Licensed Nutritionist. Some folks call themselves Certified Nutritionist when they pass a short certificate course in nutrition. When you see RD/LD used along with the term nutritionist, you can rest assured that you are working with a knowledgeable, experienced person in the field of nutrition.

What is Medical Nutrition Therapy?
Medical Nutrition Therapy is for clients that have a medical condition that require a specific dietary regime (diet); examples include specific food allergies, eating disorders, diabetes. This is when a meal plan will be recommended.

Who can benefit from a session?
Anyone who is ready to make the next step in improving their health or food choices, from getting started to fine tuning food choices in all eating situations, shopping, and supplements.

A resource page is provided for those who need help with menus, recipes, and calorie counting. There are excellent resources available for free or at minimal cost.

About Carole M. Farina:
Carole M. Farina, RD/LD has been providing sound nutrition advice , specializing in food and activity for weight control and health including weight loss, weight gain, eating disorders, disordered eating, and food intolerances/ allergies. She has provided business and personnel management (fiscal and nutritional) for corporate, federal and state nutrition programs and has been responsible for program development, implementation, and evaluation, including graphically appealing educational materials for the State of New Mexico Student Nutrition and Aging (Senior) Programs. She has maintained a private practice/consultant for over 20 years.

She has been assisting clients individually and in groups for over 25 years to feel better eating good foods.

Education: B.S. Dietetics, University of California, Davis, and completed a USAF Dietetic Internship receiving the Col. Mariam E. Perry Award. Member of the American Dietetic Association.

Additional training includes certified Herbalist from the New Mexico Herb Institute (course of study with Tieraona Low Dog, MD).

Other college coursework in art, graphic design and piano performance.