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Writer's pictureNatalie DeMarco

Dietitian versus Nutritionist: What's The Difference?

Updated: May 21, 2021

The problem with the internet and nutrition nowadays is that everybody seems to be an expert. We can’t go on Instagram anymore without coming across fitness influencers providing nutrition advice in the form of aesthetic looking photos of their acai smoothie bowls. Though I think it’s wonderful that we have so much nutritional information accessible to us via the internet, the public should be aware of the varying credibility of the sources and be able to determine whether or not this advice can be taken at face value. If you’re confused by the title of ‘nutritionist’ or ‘registered dietitian (RD),’ you’ve come to the right place.


Nutritionist

In the province of Ontario (this can vary between states and provinces), the title ‘nutritionist’ is not protected by law. This means that anybody who has taken a handful of courses in nutrition – and even those who have not – can legally provide nutrition advice while calling themselves a nutritionist. Typically, in order for an individual to qualify for any sort of employment as a nutritionist, they’re required to complete some formal academic coursework in nutrition related courses. There are programs offering training in holistic nutrition, so you may see some individuals refer to themselves as ‘Certified Holistic Nutritionists,’ where their scope is typically limited to overall health and wellness, and not complex disease states.


Registered Dietitian (RD)

A registered dietitian (RD), unlike a nutritionist, is protected by law. They are the only regulated nutrition profession in the province of Ontario, and all RDs must be registered with the College of Dietitians of Ontario to ensure safe, competent, and ethical nutrition services. To become an RD, one must complete a four-year Bachelor’s degree in nutrition and dietetics from an accredited university. In addition, they are required to complete a 44-46 week dietetic internship training program in clinical and community based settings. In the near future, dietitians will be required to possess a Master’s degree before they are able to sit for the registration exam (oof).



Four years of food school is hard, but extremely rewarding if you are truly passionate.

You will typically see dietitians working in an inpatient or outpatient hospital based setting. You can also find them in long term care or public health. Some branch out to create nutrition seminars and classes, conduct research, or run their own private practice for counseling related to more specific nutrition-related ailments. Dietitians are heavily trained to deal with complex disease states and are able to provide counselling to patients surrounding the nutritional management of these diseases.


The Bottom Line

Do your homework before you dish out the cash for nutrition-related services. Depending on your specific goals, a nutritionist may be able to provide the education/services most suitable for your needs. You should never be afraid questions about their education, training, or certifications. If you choose to work with a registered dietitian, never be afraid to ask questions about additional certifications they may have. Some dietitians obtain additional certifications post-internship in specific areas relating to prenatal nutrition, diabetes and/or renal disease education, eating disorder specialization, sports nutrition, and various other areas. Having an understanding of the titles ‘dietitian’ and ‘nutritionist’ is very important to ensure you are investing your time, money, and health wisely.


Best,


Natalie


Source(s):

College of Dietitians of Ontario. Retrieved from https://www.collegeofdietitians.org/resources/about-the-college/protecting-the-public/nutritionist-and-rd-in-ontario.aspx

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