Dear Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics,

Hey, how’s it going? Fellow dietitian here and former member of The Academy. Sorry for the creepy energy.

Just wanted to bring up your branding— like your domain, eatright.org or all those times you include the notion of eating right across your platform.

Here’s my thing— is that really our goal as dietitians? To help people eat right and not wrong?

Well sure, it’s been complicated a little by all the money The Academy has accepted from the food industry over the years— but we’re not here to talk about that.

I mean seriously, what is our job as dietitians?

I’ll give you a second to think…

OK, here’s what I think—

When we as dietitians communicate nutrition concepts with the public, our goal is to make them 1) understandable 2) research-based 3) and inclusive.

Maybe you agree.

But, where does the idea of eating right or correctly fit in there? I’m failing to see how it is helpful to those ends in any way.

To my mind, the idea of eating right frames food as a binary and morally-loaded decision.

Quick—what’s the right choice: pizza or salad?

Did you say salad? No, sorry the answer we were looking for was: that’s a ridiculous question and a ridiculous way to frame food decisions.

Nutrition is a science, not a religion.

At best the whole “eat right” branding is unhelpful and at worst it leaves people feeling pretty awful about themselves and fans the flames of eating disorders.

Listen, I know you think you’re helping people make the right choice, but can we workshop some other branding ideas? Eat… Smart? Strong?

And perhaps your domain name doesn’t need to be a statement at all. Hear me out on this one, AND— how about… and.org. Wild, I know.

-Matt Priven, MS RDN