A question I hear a lot in my work is this: “So what is a registered dietitian anyway? Isn’t it just another name for a nutritionist?” And my answer to that second bit is always the same: Nope! While both practitioners deal with diet, and the various ways it can affect a body’s health, there are very key differences between these two titles that are worth a little extra explanation. After all, when it comes to making the right decisions for your health goals and concerns, it’s important to remember your W’s:
Who to see for What and When.
The following are some of the ways you can discern a registered dietitian (or RD) from a nutritionist, and at the end of this blog, I’ll also gift you a basic guide (yay visual aids!) to help you decide which kind of healthcare practitioner might be right for you.
Training and Hours and Certifications, Oh My!
One of the biggest differences between a registered dietitian and a nutritionist is the level of education required. While there are certainly nutritionists who have certifications to be health coaches or holistic nutritionists, they do not need any advanced certifications, or even a degree, to qualify for the nutritionist title. Essentially, if you offer nutrition advice of any sort, you can call yourself a nutritionist (though of course, I would not recommend you do this without proper training and experience first!). Don’t get me wrong, there are some nutritionists who have achieved more advanced certifications and education in their fields– a Certified Nutrition Specialist, for example, must complete a master’s degree in nutrition or similar science, in addition to 1,000+ hours of practical experience first.
A dietitian, on the other hand, has usually received specialized, higher education (in many cases, a Master’s degree) in the science and application of nutrition and the physiology of nutrition. A Registered Dietitian must also have completed the following: an ACEND-approved bachelor's degree and supervised experience working in an accredited healthcare, community or food service facility. In addition, they must pass a national exam administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDC), and meet continuing professional education requirements every year to maintain their board certification (1).
The Legality Of It All
Since nutritionists don’t need to be certified, they’re also not protected by law which means they are not regulated by the government, and not required to adhere to scientific research. This also means their protocols and advice may not necessarily be backed by science either. This is where it gets sticky. While some individual states have occupational license requirements for their nutritionists, others still allow them to practice without any proof of training or experience at all (2), so always be sure to do your research ahead of time on any provider you’re planning to work with.
Areas Of Focus And Expertise:
Dietitians are qualified to diagnose medical conditions like Irritable Bowel Disease (IBS), Crohn’s Disease, and Celiac Disease, in addition to eating disorders, food-related illnesses, food intolerances and food sensitivities. They’re able to work in hospitals, long-term care facilities and athletic organizations, and are trained to assess and treat medical conditions with diet. You may benefit from working with a dietitian if you have a chronic health condition like diabetes, heart disease, cancer, kidney disease, or obesity.
Nutritionists, on the other hand, depending on their level of study and/or years of experience, might be more beneficial for general, non-medical nutrition goals like losing weight or maximizing your workout results with a nutrition plan to complement (1).
So What’s The Deal With A Wholistic Dietitian Then?
I’m glad you asked! While dietitians are typically backed by science-based research, wholistic dietitians (like me) also incorporate the science of non-western practices like eastern medicine and psychology in order to better care for the whole person. Wholistic dietitians focus on the whole of your life experience: your behavior, lifestyle, genetics, mindset, and emotional maturity. We combine these findings with scientific lab testing to more accurately pinpoint the root of an issue or condition, and formulate the most effective and personalized path forward. As such, we’re especially qualified to treat a broader range of concerns including, but not limited to autoimmune conditions, eating disorders, body dysmorphia, environmentally-induced health issues, food sensitivities, food allergies, and toxic overloads.
But hold up! Let’s get back to those W’s– Who to see for What and When– because I’d like to throw one more your way: Why.
You may be wondering, “Why does any of this matter?” And to this, the answer is quite simple: because it’s YOU. You, your health, and the health of your loved ones matter. There are so many wonderful, experienced and knowledgeable healthcare practitioners out there, but you will always be best-served by the ones whose skills, expertise and philosophy are most closely aligned with your needs.
So….just because I love a good visual aid (and because I promised), here’s a helpful chart to show how and when each of the following healthcare practitioners might be most useful for you and your loved ones:
If you’d like to do a deeper dive into the differences between a dietitian and nutritionist, I encourage you to check out these referenced articles as well:
2. https://www.nutritioned.org/dietitian-vs-nutritionist/
In health and Mellness,
xo