what's the difference between a dietitian and a nutritionist?
Great question.
Let’s discuss.
I recently joined a coworking and social club in the city and have been meeting a lot of new people. As I share what I do for work, I’m often asked, “What’s the difference between a dietitian and a nutritionist?” While nutritionists and Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDN) share some similarities in their work, there are some key differences between them.
RDNs are food and nutrition experts who translate the science of nutrition into practical solutions for healthy living. RDNs use their nutrition expertise to help individuals make unique, positive lifestyle changes. To become an RDN, one must complete a rigorous education and training program. This typically involves earning a bachelor's degree in nutrition or a related field, completing a supervised practice program or internship with a minimum of 1,200 hours, and passing a national registration exam. The supervised practice program or internship provides aspiring RDNs with hands-on experience working with patients and clients under the supervision of a RDNs. This program typically lasts for several months and involves a variety of settings, such as hospitals, clinics, and community organizations.
After completing the education and training requirements, aspiring Registered Dietitians must pass the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) exam to become certified. This exam tests their knowledge in several areas, including food and nutrition sciences, clinical nutrition, and counseling and communication.
Once certified, Registered Dietitian Nutritionists must maintain their credentials by completing ongoing continuing education. This ensures that they stay up-to-date with the latest research and developments in the field of nutrition and provide evidence-based advice and recommendations to their clients.
Regarding their scope of practice, RDNs are qualified to provide medical nutrition therapy for individuals with medical conditions requiring nutrition intervention. This involves creating a personalized nutrition plan based on the patient's medical history, lab values, and other relevant information. Registered Dietitian Nutritionists may work in hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities, or private practices, and they may collaborate with doctors and other healthcare professionals to provide comprehensive care to patients.
A Registered Dietitian Nutritionist certification requires strict educational and experiential qualifications, including:
A bachelor’s degree with coursework approved by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics.
Completion of 1200+ hours of Dietetic Internship with an accredited healthcare facility, food service corporation, or community agency.
Passing a Registration Examination for Dietitians.
Continuing education to maintain certification.
Effective January 1, 2024, the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) will require a minimum of a master's degree to be eligible to take the credentialing exam to become an RDN.
Nutritionists, on the other hand, do not have the same level of training and education as Registered Dietitian Nutritionists. A nutritionist is a general term that can refer to anyone who provides advice and guidance on nutrition and diet. While some nutritionists have completed a degree in nutrition or a related field, others may have completed a certification program or have learned about nutrition through personal experience. Nutritionists may provide general nutrition advice and guidance, but they are not qualified to provide medical nutrition therapy or work in clinical settings.
What do dietitians do?
Use food and nutrition to help patients manage acute and chronic health concerns.
Offer medical nutrition therapy in a variety of settings, including hospitals, outpatient centers, skilled nursing facilities, eating disorder treatment centers, and private practice.
Create meal plans and keep track of a patient’s progress.
Conduct nutritional screenings and counsel patients on behavioral changes to increase their wellness or meet nutritional goals.
Work with athletic departments and sports teams to ensure optimal health and peak performance of athletes.
Consult with restaurants on developing menus.
Work with corporate wellness programs on nutritional education.
Work under contract as a nutrition consultant with various healthcare or food companies in areas like product development or consumer affairs.
Partner with media outlets to educate and inspire the community on varying nutrition, health, and wellness topics.
Additionally, RDNs can attain additional certifications in specialized areas of practice. These certifications include clinical nutrition, pediatrics, pediatric critical care, renal nutrition, sports dietetics, health education, eating disorders, nutrition support, oncology, gerontology, obesity and weight management, and diabetes education.
What do nutritionists do?
Provide advice and guidance on nutrition and diet.
Help clients alter their diet to promote a healthier lifestyle and eating habits by creating a nutrition plan that can help them meet their goals.
May provide educational programs or counseling in nutrition or meal planning services.
Promote health and wellness through a variety of media outlets.
Because there is no universal requirement for nutritionists to be licensed or certified, unlike dietitians, nutritionists typically cannot legally diagnose or treat health conditions.
In summary, the main difference between a nutritionist and a RDN is the level of education, training, and certification required. Registered Dietitian Nutritionists have completed a rigorous program of education and training, passed a national registration exam, and are qualified to provide medical nutrition therapy and work in clinical settings. On the other hand, nutritionists may give general nutrition advice and guidance, but they do not have the same training or qualifications as RDNs. Nutritionists are much less regulated compared to the formal training and certification required to be a RDN as nutritionist is not a protected title. In some states, anyone may call themselves a nutritionist without any educational requirements, however, some nutritionists might have a certification, a master’s degree, or other experience. In short, all dietitians are nutritionists, but not all nutritionists are dietitians.
If you’re looking for nutrition coaching, I highly suggest you seek out a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. If you’d like to chat, please book a free video consult call with me here. I’d be happy to be the dietitian who supports you on your health and wellness journey.
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This post was written by Kelly Powers, MA, RDN. Kelly is a Registered Dietitian and Culinary Nutritionist who takes a holistic approach to nutrition and health. She is a recipe developer with a food blog highlighting whole foods, simple recipes, and her life in San Francisco. Kelly is the creator of Weeknight Dinners, a weekly meal plan program that helps users get back in the kitchen and feed themselves well. Kelly specializes in meal planning, the Mediterranean diet, and sustainable behavior change, helping her clients reach their health goals while improving their relationship with food.