<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>> >I am an RD. I agree that many RDs are not up-to-date on CD....There is a >free RD referral service through the American Dietetic Association at >800-877-4653....includes quizzing healthcare professionals about their >experience before making an appointment with them. > >Sandra Fishman, MS, RD Sandra, I agree with you 100%. However, (there goes that word again) I called the 800 number you listed above, and got referrals in my area (within 75 miles of Cleveland). I called several of them and they told me that they knew very little, if anything, about the celiac diet. They said that they had expertise in diabetes, cancer, and heart diets but that there really wasn't much of a call for gluten-free diets. One didn't even know what gluten was! The one I finally ended up with told me that she had several Celiac patients. When I met with her she showed me a order form from Energy Foods and told me I should order several of the things they had to offer (she went down the list). She proceeded to suggest that I make some soup with BARLEY in it and always have it on hand in the freezer! When I told her that I could not eat barley she said, "Oh, yea that's right". She then told me to write down everything I ate for the next two weeks and then make another appointment with her. I got the bill for $50 for the hour visit and I never returned. The only good advise that she gave me was to make grilled cheese sandwiches using corn tortillas. Before I went to see her I informed her that not only did I have CD but that I am also a vegetarian. What I needed from her was some kind of menu planning. I told her that through this listserve I knew which foods were allowed on the diet and which were not. What I needed and still do is how to put things together to make sure that I am getting all the nutrients I need. This she did not do. She did express interest in getting any information I may have because her information was admittedly old, but she would again charge me for the time I spent educating her! I think the problem lies in the Education of these individuals. As such, we need to get to the source of the problem, the schools, and insist that they teach classes on the celiac diet. We also need to have classes available on the diet for continuing education credit. Cindy P.S. I was referred to this particular dietitian by my gastroenterologist. I thought I asked the right questions and made myself clear as to what I wanted from her. Obviously, I did not. -- Howard J. Kass, CPA [log in to unmask] Cindy Koller-Kass Voice: (216)831-4141 FAX: (216)831-4887 Hope things aren't too taxing for you!