Dietetic Practice Groups: Membership Benefits & Cost

What are Dietetic Practice Groups?

Dietetic practice groups (DPGs) are special-interest groups for registered dietitians (RDs) that provide resources and community. Per the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND), they help members to “improve their job performance, gain insight into specialized areas of food and nutrition and network with colleagues.”

DPGs have various offerings, including:

Electronic mailing lists and discussion boards
Newsletters
Live and recorded webinars
Continuing education units (CEUs)
Speaker bureaus
Mentorship programs
In-person symposiums
Virtual events
Networking opportunities
Membership directories
Awards
Grants and scholarships

How Do You Join a Dietetic Practice Group?

To join a DPG, you have to be an Academy member. Academy membership is currently $234, annually, for an active membership plus a $25 processing fee. There is a tiered, lower membership price for people that have taken the RD exam within the last five years.

All other membership types (student, retired, etc.) can also join DPGs.

When joining or renewing your annual membership, you can add as many DPG memberships as you would like. The additional cost ranges from $25 to $40. You can sign up or renew your membership here: eatrightpro.org/membership/join-renew

DPG membership follows AND’s fiscal year, which is June 1 to May 31.

chart of the cost of different Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics memberships for 2024 and 2025

Practice Groups to Join

There are so many practice groups to choose from, so you can definitely find one that’s perfect for you! Note that the prices listed are for active AND members and some groups have lower rates for students and other membership types.

chart of all the dietetic practice groups with their membership cost

Public Health/Community Nutrition DPG

Cost: $30

The Public Health/Community Nutrition DPG (PHCNPG) provides its members with webinars that provide CEUs as well as a discussion board. In addition, it provides awards and member spotlight opportunities. There are four different committees to join:

Diversity and Inclusion
Strategic Communications
Policy and Advocacy
Student Committee

Healthy Aging DPG

Cost: $30

The Healthy Aging DPG (HA) provides several member benefits including newsletters, webinars and podcasts, all of which provider CEUs. The group has an electronic mailing list, as well as stipends for professional development. There is an annual virtual conference that provides CEUs, which is available at a discounted rate for members.

HA also has study resources for the exam to become a Board Certified Specialist in Gerontological Nutrition. These are available at an additional cost.

Behavioral Health Nutrition DPG

Cost: $30

This DPG is for dietitians working in the practice areas of addictions, eating disorders, mental health and intellectual and developmental disabilities. The group provides several benefits to members including a bi-annual newsletter, monthly updates on members and events, an electronic mailing list, as well as eight forums:

Addictions
BHN House of Delegates
Eating Disorders
General Nutrition
Genetic Disorders
Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Mental Health
Public Policy

The group also has a speakers bureau, member discounts and a member marketplace. CEUs are available in the form of webinars, case studies and the newsletter.

Vegetarian Nutrition DPG

Cost: $30

The Vegetarian Nutrition DPG (VN DPG) has a quarterly newsletter, patient handouts, a speaker bureau, continuing education webinars and a member discussion board. In addition, the group also has an annual research grant for members.

The VN DPG website includes information on vegetarian nutrition for non-members. This is a great resource for both dietitians and consumers.

Hunger and Environmental Nutrition DPG

Cost: $35

The Hunger and Environmental Nutrition DPG (HEN) empowers members “to take action for sustainable, equitable, and accessible food and water systems that promote fair labor practices and cultural inclusivity.”

HEN membership provides access to the online publication, Journal of Hunger and Environmental Nutrition, a quarter newsletter that provides CEUs, an electronic mailing list and a speaker bureau.

Dietitians in Integrative & Functional Medicine DPG

Cost: $40

This DPP has several membership benefits and resources. In addition to webinars, a discussion board, as well as awards, stipends and grants, members get access to several integrative health journals and databases at no additional charge. The DPG also has a newsletter, The Integrative RDN, which contains CEUs.

Oncology Nutrition DPG

Cost: $35

Membership in the Oncology Nutrition DPG includes access to the quarterly publication, Oncology Nutrition Connection, which provides CEUs. There are also webinars, a discussion board and a mentorship program.

The group also has an in-person biannual Oncology Nutrition Symposium, in which members can enjoy a discounted price.

The website includes complimentary information on oncology nutrition for non-members. This is a great resource for both dietitians and consumers.

Renal Dietitians DPG

Cost: $30

The Renal Dietitian DPG (RPG) has member benefits including webinars with CEUs, stipends, scholarships, grants and a speaker bureau. Membership also includes access to patient education handouts, at no additional cost.

Pediatric Nutrition DPG

Cost: $30

This DPG provides members the opportunity to learn from webinars, webcasts, a mentoring program as well as the Building Block for Life newsletter. Many of these activities provide CEUs. This group also provides members with awards, grants and scholarships.

Diabetes DPG

Cost: $35

The Diabetes DPG (DDPG) provides members several benefits including webinars, two different publications, and a discussion board. A significant number of CEUs can be obtained through membership; in addition to webinars, the Cutting Edge Nutrition and Diabetes Care publication comes out three times a year; and each one contains four CEUs.

This is personally my favorite DPG to be a member of! I have always enjoyed the content of the webinars and written publications. In 2024, they started a mentorship program, which I am mentoring in, and I have found the experience very rewarding.

Dietitians in Nutrition Support DPG

Cost: $30

Membership in the Dietitians in Nutrition Support DPG (DNS) provides a significant amount of CEUs. The bi-montly publication, Support Line, provides 3 CEUs each. There are also webinars and virtual journal clubs that provide CEUs as well.

The DPG also provides a discussion board, writer’s mentoring program, a career mentorship program, grants, and awards. The group holds an in-person symposium, in which members can get a discounted rate.

It also has a YouTube channel and Podcast that is available to the public.

Weight Management DPG

Cost: $33

This DPG provides a quarterly newsletter that provides CEUs, webinars, electronic mailing lists and many other resources such as quick guides and patient handouts. The group also puts on an annual virtual symposium, available for an additional cost, which is discounted for members.

I personally have been a member of this DPG for years. The electronic mailing lists are very active and most questions get several responses.

Dietitians in Medical Nutrition Therapy DPG

Cost: $30

The Dietitians in Medical Nutrition Therapy DPG (DMNT) is made up of a diverse group of members that work in a variety of settings. DMNT strives to keep members abreast of current topics across all aspects of nutrition.

Members get access to a quarterly newsletter as well as live and recorded webinars; all of which contain CEUs.

The DPG also has four sub-groups:

Dietitians in Gluten and Gastrointestinal Disorders
Dietitians in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Immunocompromised and Transplant Nutrition
Cystic Fibrosis Nutrition

Women’s Health DPG

Cost: $30

Benefits of this DPG include a monthly e-news email, a members-only discussion board as well as CEU opportunities from webinars and the Women’s Health Report electronic newsletter. The group also provides awards to members as well.

Nutrition Entrepreneurs DPG

Cost: $40

The Nutrition Entrepreneurs DPG (NE) provides members with business-related resources. Membership benefits include a mentorship program, the Ventures newsletter, “Halfie Hours” on various business topics, opportunities for advertising and webinars with CEUs. There is also a toolkit on the website with information on a variety of topics.

NE puts on a virtual Spring Summit that is available at a discounted rate for members.

Dietetics in Health Care Communities DPG

Cost: $35

This group is for dietitians working in a variety of settings with a focus on post-acute and long-term care. This DPG also has a sub-unit for dietitians working in the field of corrections.

Membership benefits include an electronic mailing list, monthly news update, and CEU webinars. There is also the Connections newsletter, which comes out three times a year and has one CEU credit available per issue. In addition, the group has been putting on a virtual symposium that members get a discount for.

Dietitians in Business and Communications DPG

Cost: $35

Membership in the Dietitian in Business and Communications DPG (DBC) would be great for RDs interested or involved in business development, writing, sales, marketing, public relations and communications. DBC provides CEUS for webinars as well as a quarterly newsletter. DBC also provides a mentoring network, a discussion board and grant opportunities.

Sports and Human Performance Nutrition DPG

Cost: $35

The Sports and Human Performance Nutrition DPG (SHPN) is for dietitians working with athletes as well as first responders, military personnel, and individuals involved in tactical and performing arts.

The group provides many resources to members including a resource library, fact sheets, articles, webinars that provide CEUs, and multiple publications.

SHPN also puts on an annual virtual symposium at an additional cost. The symposium has several presentations; all of which provide CEUs.

Cardiovascular Health and Well-Being DPG

Cost: $30

The Cardiovascular Health and Well-Being DPG (CV-Well) has several member benefits including CEUs from a quarterly newsletter as well as at least six webinars a year. There are patient fact sheets, an online discussion forum, awards and a mentoring circle program available to members.

The group also hosts an in-person symposium with several programs over multiple days. CEUs are provided and CV-Well members get a discounted rate.

Management in Food and Nutrition Systems DPG

Cost: $35

This DPG has membership benefits including webinars that provide CEUs, the Market-Link newsletter, a listserv and E-blasts. Members are celebrated in the “Members on the Move” section of Market-Link.

School Nutrition Services DPG

Cost: $30

Membership benefits for the School Nutrition Services DPG (SNS) include a resource library, webinars, a discussion board, awards and scholarships. SNS also has a newsletter called, The Spoodle Report, what a perfect name for school nutrition news!!

Clinical Nutrition Management DPG

Cost: $35

Members of the Clinical Nutrition Management DPG (CNM) work in settings such as acute care, long-term care, private practice and government services. CNM offers members a quarterly newsletter, Future Dimensions, that contains CEUs, CEU self-study webinars, an electronic mailing list and a member resource library.

There is also an annual virtual symposium in which members get a discounted registration.

The group has three sub-units:

Informatics Sub-Unit
Quality and Process Improvement Sub-Unit
Pediatrics Sub-Unit

Food and Culinary Professionals DPG

Cost: $35

The Food and Culinary Professionals DPG (FCP) provides members with the quarterly Tastings newsletter that provides CEUs and an additional monthly newsletter, On The Menu. The group also provides E-blasts, a member marketplace, electronic mailing lists, recipe contests and monthly webinars that provide CEUs.

FCP has four sub-specialty groups:

Supermarket & Retail
Agriculture
Food Safety
Restaurant & Hospitality

In 2024, the group is hosting a ten night trip to Morocco planned for members interested!

Nutrition Informatics DPG

Cost: $20

Nutrition informatics is the intersection of nutrition, information and technology, per the Nutrition Informatics DPG (NI).

Membership in NI includes access to webinars with CEUs, a discussion board, a newsletter, and E-blasts. The group also puts on a virtual symposium in which members get a discounted rate.

Nutrition Educators of Health Professionals DPG

Cost: $25

The Nutrition Educators of Health Professions DPG (NEHP) provides benefits to its members including The Educator’s Resource newsletter, awards, as well as a discussion board and webinars. In addition, the group provides resources including education materials, practice guidelines, teaching techniques and more.

Nutrition Education for the Public DPG

Cost: $30

This group is a great fit for dietitians that promote nutrition through public education. Membership benefits include E-blasts, a discussion board, webinars with CEUs, awards and student scholarships, and the Networking News newsletter, which is published three times a year.

Research DPG

Cost: $35

The Research DPG provides benefits to members including a mentorship program, a discussion board, E-blasts, a research toolkit and a newsletter entitled The Digest. The DPG also makes several awards and grants available for members.

My Experience with Dietetic Practice Groups and Final Thoughts

There are so many dietetic practice groups to choose from! I personally have found great value in being a member of DPGs. Honestly, I am not sure I would have always kept up with AND membership, if it wasn’t for the DPGs.

I have really enjoyed the Diabetes and Weight Management DPGs, as I feel both groups provide a lot of value. I have been involved in several volunteering opportunities in the diabetes group recently, which has been enriching for me – the more you put into something, the more you get out of it!

In the past, I have also joined the Women’s Health, Nutrition Entrepreneurs and Cardiovascular Health and Well-Being DPGs. I personally did not like them quite as much – you may feel differently, though!

I have heard positive feedback on the Dietitians in Integrative & Functional Medicine and Sports and Human Performance Nutrition DPGs from other RDs. Based on browsing all the groups, the Dietitians in Nutrition Support group looked fantastic as well.

I am now interested in joining the Dietitians in Medical Nutrition Therapy group based on the topics of past webinars. This would be a great group to join for newer RDs or generalists as it provides information on a wide range of topics.

Until writing this article, I was unaware that some DPGs put on in-person symposiums. These events would be great opportunities to learn and connect in a more intimate setting compared to the Food & Nutrition Conference & Expo (FNCE). The DPGs that currently provide in-person symposiums include: