Blog Post #1: Dietitian vs Nutritionist
I get this question a lot! And for good reason. I have found out that a lot of people have never been told the difference between the two words, and what they entail. So in honor of National Registered Dietitian Day, I will help break it down.
1) Dietitian
A Dietitian is a registered professional, that has been approved to have the title by the government. All Dietitians have to take a national registration exam, and only after you pass said exam, can you call yourself a Dietitian. The requirements for a Dietitian are:
to complete, at a minimum, a Master’s degree in Nutrition and/or Dietetics
to complete a supervised internship/program (back in my day, we had to have at least 1,200 supervised work hours logged and approved, but an internship can run anywhere between 6-12 months).
to pass the national registration exam
to require state licensure to legally practice in a chosen state
After someone passes the exam and takes on the role of Dietitian, they must keep their credential up-to-date by completing what is called continuing educational requirements (CEUs). One must complete at least 75 CEUs and log them every five years to keep their Dietitian credential. Now, there are going to be some Dietitians who have a Bachelor’s degree instead, and that is okay! As of 2024, all Dietitians who are entering the field must hold a Master’s degree, but those Dietitians who joined before 2024 did not have to complete this requirement.
In a nutshell, a dietitian is a professional who specializes in nutrition and/or dietetics. All dietitians are credentialed and legally allowed to provide any nutrition information, provide medical counseling, and help treat illnesses through nutrition. Dietitians are also covered by some insurance providers! Check with your insurance provider to make sure Dietitian appointments are covered.
2) Nutritionist
Now, let’s move on to nutritionists. To be honest, anyone can claim this title! And I mean, anyone. The title “nutritionist” is not regulated or protected by the government, so anyone can wake up and claim this, put it on their Instagram bio, or mention it for a business deal. So the public must be careful when seeking medical or health advice from someone who claims to be a nutritionist. Now many states do have education or licensure available for nutritionists, but many do not. A nutritionist cannot legally hold sessions with clients, nor can they practice in a clinic. Nutritionists are also NOT covered by insurance.
These two words have been used interchangeably over the years and have (understandably) confused a lot of the public. So now, Dietitians are putting “nutritionist” in the titles/credentials, so the general public can see that:
All Dietitians are nutritionists, but not all nutritionists are Dietitians.
So for example, my full list of credentials in my signature include MS (Master’s degree), RD (registered dietitian), and LDN (licensed dietitian nutritionist). So you may find that a Dietitian is using the credential “RDN” or registered dietitian nutritionist, as well as LDN. Both are acceptable and are still regulated by the government.
So, if and when you are looking for a nutrition expert, always seek a Dietitian. You know you will be getting a legal professional, as well as evidence-based, updated, and correct information on nutrition.
If, for whatever reason, there is not a dietitian for you to connect with, then search for another health professional in your area. However, do not be shy when asking about their nutrition education or background! Do your own investigation and make sure that this person is a certified professional before you work with them.
Practical Steps towards a “Peachy” Living:
Search to see if there is a practicing Dietitian in your community.
See if your insurance provider can cover any Dietitian appointments.
Follow Dietitians on social media platforms for correct, evidence-based nutrition information.
