So… what’s the difference between a dietitian and a nutritionist? If I had a dollar for every time I’ve been asked that question, well I wouldn’t need to work as a dietitian anymore (just kidding!). But in all seriousness, since health and wellness influencers are as popular on Instagram as puppy videos, I think it’s important to clarify exactly what the difference is between the two as well as highlight the variety of work dietitians do. What better time than now, to tackle this topic — March is National Nutrition Month and today (March 11) is National Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Day! Let’s get started, shall we?
Registered Dietitians are credentialed nutrition experts who have completed extensive educational requirements including advanced sciences such as biochemistry and organic chemistry as well as completed an internship and passed a national board exam. Here’s how that breaks down, taken from EatRight.org, registered dietitians must:
- Get a four-year degree (soon-to-be Masters) which includes a specially designed, accredited nutrition curriculum
- Complete an extensive supervised program of practice (1200 hours) at a health care facility, foodservice organization or community agency
- Pass a rigorous registration exam
- Maintain continuing education credits throughout their career
In short, when you work with a registered dietitian, you can rest assured you are working with a professional. A nutritionist, on the other hand, is an unregulated term, so there is no way to know what sort of experience or education the individual has received. Some do hold advanced degrees in nutrition, however, many do not, so make sure you do your homework before committing to anything.
A quick note on titles: you may see the terms “registered dietitian nutritionist” and “registered dietitian” used. Historically, the term registered dietitian has been used, but recently the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (the professional organization for dietitians) has adopted the term registered dietitian nutritionist. What a professional uses is simply a matter of personal choice — both carry the same credentials.
What Does a Dietitian Do?
The quick answer? Lots of things! Dietitians work in a variety of different settings including hospitals, outpatient clinics, sports, schools, foodservice, media, food companies and private practice. Often times, dietitians are a small, but mighty group, covering a lot of ground and combining multiple skills. For example, RDs in foodservice and industry utilize business skills and RDs in the media flex their communication skills.
Dietitians also work with a variety of patients and clients. From pediatric dietitians who work in the NICU to dietitians working in long-term care serving the elderly, all ages can benefit from working with a dietitian through medical nutrition therapy. Dietitians can provide advice on how to improve health status by preventing chronic disease, managing chronic disease or optimizing your nutrition for pregnancy or sports performance.
If you’d like to learn more about specific ways to work with a dietitian, I recommend checking out this post.
