The wellness industry continues to boom thanks to social media, but it can be overwhelming with endless information and opinions and self-proclaimed experts.
Two terms you are likely familiar with are nutritionist and dietician. The two are often used interchangeably, but there are some major differences that you need to understand, especially if you are looking to enlist the help of someone to help you on your nutrition journey.
Nutritionists and dieticians work toward the same goal of supporting healthier food choices and lifestyles through sustainable changes, but the main differences are related to education and training and what they’re legally allowed to do in their areas of work.
All dieticians are nutritionists,
but not all nutritionists are dieticians.
Dieticians
Dieticians operate under strict regulations and must undergo rigorous training, often involving nutrition science, anatomy, physiology, and biochemistry. They can also specialize in certain areas, such as sports, pediatrics, gerontology, obesity and weight management, renal nutrition, and oncology nutrition.
Dieticians can work in hospitals, care facilities, private practices, and other areas. They are qualified to provide medical advice to treat eating disorders, diabetes, and cancer, prescribe supplements and facilitate feeding tubes or IV feeding. Registered Dieticians (RD) are also authorized to conduct nutritional research, administer medical nutrition therapy, and recommend relevant protocols.
You might consider seeing a dietitian if you:
- Are diagnosed with a chronic condition (diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease) that requires a change in your eating habits
- Suffer from food allergies or intolerances
- Want to gain or lose weight
- Play sports and are looking for a plan to optimize performance
- Have a disordered relationship with food and eating
- Have concerns about whether or not you are getting what you need from your current diet
As of January 1, 2024, dieticians need a master’s in nutrition
or a related field from an ACEND-accredited program
(Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics).
Oftentimes, seeing a registered dietician can be covered through preventive care benefits for diet counseling for adults at higher risk for chronic disease or obesity screening and counseling. (Once, however, someone has a diagnosis of a disease, these visits are likely subject to copay, coinsurance, and deductible.)
Nutritionists
Nutritionist education requirements vary by state, but certain states — including OK, OR, CA, and CO — don’t regulate the title of nutritionist. Other states may require basic certifications or certain areas of study during undergrad. Nutritionists may offer generalized advice, nutrition counseling, and meal planning.
Choosing Who’s Right for You
When selecting a nutritionist or dietician (or any health-related professional), you should seek out someone who is best equipped to address your needs. Some tips for finding a good fit for you include looking at their credentials, ensuring their specialty aligns with your goals, and looking at verified reviews from a trusted source.
It is also important to remember that many professionals have a social media presence, so you should see if someone you’re considering is making too-good-to-be-true claims or promoting products and partnerships.
Sources:
- https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/dietitian-vs-nutritionist
- https://www.webmd.com/diet/what-to-know-dietitians-vs-nutritionists
- https://www.webmd.com/diabetes/nutritionist-dietitian-choose
- https://www.forbes.com/advisor/education/science/dietician-vs-nutritionist/
- https://www.verywellhealth.com/dietitian-vs-nutritionist-7100318
- https://www.pewresearch.org/science/2019/08/02/findings-at-a-glance-dietitians/
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/Healthcare/Dietitians-and-nutritionists.htm
- https://www.goodrx.com/well-being/diet-nutrition/dietitian-vs-nutritionist
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6473916/