What's The Difference? Dietitian Vs Nutritionist

You hear words like "nutritionist", "nutrition expert", or "dietitian," but what do they really mean?

Contrary to popular belief, they are not all the same thing. One will feed you to the best version of you, and the other will just misinform you.

Dietitians Office

The Problem With "Nutritionist"

In most parts of the world, anyone can call themselves a nutritionist.

"Nutritionist" is not a protected title in most places. Meaning anyone can claim to be a nutritionist. They don't need any formal education to use the title, none at all. They can put "nutritionist" just for the fun of it if they want to.

Some nutritionists you meet will know their stuff because they went out of their way to get an education on their own.

But most self-proclaimed nutritionists don't have an understanding of nutrition past the information they see on social media.

Don't get me wrong.

There are so many awesome nutritionists out there, but because anyone can claim they are a nutritionist, it's impossible to know which ones know their stuff at a glance.

What Makes Dietitians Different?

Unlike "nutritionist", the title of a registered dietitian is a protected title. This means there are certain requirements that you need to have to use it.

What Does It Take To Earn The RD Title?

1. Completion of an accredited 4-year undergraduate degree in nutrition and dietetics

2. Completion of a postgraduate program involving a research project

3. Completion of supervised practice hours by more experienced dietitians

4. Passing a National written exam to prove knowledge and expertise in the area of nutrition and dietetics

Education, Regulation, and Trust

Anyone who has the title registered dietitian (RD) beside their name has gone through education, has read and conducted research, and has practical experience.

Being a dietitian also means that you are regulated by a college. For me, it's the College of Dietitians of Canada and the College of Dietitians Ontario.

What this means is that if you have a bad experience with a dietitian or feel like they are giving out misinformation, you can report them to the College of Dietitians, who will then follow up regarding your complaint.

Because of this level of education and regulation, dietitian services are often covered by private insurance providers, making the services dietitians provide free to you.

In summary, dietitians are tested before they can use the title, which makes it easy to trust the information they share.

At a Glance: Dietitian vs Nutritionist?

Trait	Dietitian	Nutritionist
Regulated Title	Yes	Not in most places
Minimum Education	Bachelor's + post-grad + internship + national exam pass	None
Legal Protection	Yes	Usually not
Can Treat Medical Conditions	Yes	Not unless licensed to do so
Job Opportunities	Hospitals, clinics, sports, food service, management, social media, and public health	Being a "wellness influencer"
Covered by Private Insurance Plans	In Most Cases	Seldom

Final Thoughts: Who Should You Trust?

I'm biased, but I think the breakdown speaks for itself.

If you want a guarantee that the person you are talking to knows their stuff, can treat a medical condition you have, and is covered by your insurance plan. A dietitian is going to be the way to go.

But if you know a nutritionist that you trust, that's a great option too.

Looking for an RD title just helps establish trust and provides you with reassurance that you're getting the information you need to know.

Finding who to trust on the internet can be tough, so I always push people towards Registered Dietitians identified by the RD beside their name.

It's not a foolproof system, but it's better than gambling with a nutritionist.

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