Registered Dietitian vs. Nutritionist: The Key Differences
When people are passionate about nutrition, their journey to reach their goals will often lead them into the hands of a professional. However, even though many nutritionists claim to be professionals, Registered Dietitians are the only ones who are truly qualified to work with clients and deliver nutritional guidance. Period. The reality is—the terms “Registered Dietitian” and “nutritionist” can’t be used interchangeably!
These terms are HUGELY mislabeled. So, today, we will take a look at the key differences between a Registered Dietitian and a nutritionist. By shedding some light on these differences, we can get a good understanding of how Registered Dietitians and nutritionists don’t hold the same levels of credibility, expertise, and value. Let’s dive right in, shall we?
Registered Dietitian vs. Nutritionist
Navigating the world of nutrition can actually be very complex, but it doesn’t have to be. The most commonly spoken of careers are Registered Dietitians and nutritionists. But, it is super important to know that they are not equal AT ALL.
In every way, Registered Dietitians are superior to nutritionists for many, many reasons. So, this is why knowing the similarities, differences, and responsibilities is key to your own career in nutrition. Because potential clients will question how your program is worth more than nutritionists they find, and you’ll need to have a good answer. Luckily, the reason your guidance is more valuable than a nutritionist’s is obvious.
While both Registered Dietitians and nutritionists are passionate about promoting healthy lifestyles, it is important to notice that nutritionists DO NOT have the same qualifications, standard of care, and education that RDs do to actually help clients achieve the life change they’re seeking.
In many ways, this is incredibly damaging to the nutrition industry and society as a whole. The lack of education and formal training can lead to clients not reaching their goals, their conditions worsening, or them giving up on the idea of healing through food altogether. All of this is not only bad for business, but it's also bad for humanity. Whether a client is looking to manage health conditions like diabetes, lose weight, feel better in their body, improve their relationship with food, recover from eating disorders, or fuel their workouts, a Registered Dietitian should be the only professional they consider for guidance.
RDs must hold advanced degrees and must complete a rigorous dietetic internship. Nutritionists on the other hand can have varied backgrounds ranging from self-study, no education at all, or one free online class. As you can see, there’s a HUGE contrast here.
In essence, knowing the similarities and differences between these two professions can help the public understand why you, as a Registered Dietitian, make such a difference.
What is a Registered Dietitian?
Chances are, if you are reading this, you are a Registered Dietitian or have dreams of becoming one! So while you may already know this, let’s reflect on just how amazing RD’s truly are.
A Registered Dietitian is a well-educated, seasoned professional in the field of nutrition. They are armed with nutritional expertise fostered by years of education, training, and assessment that sets them apart as the most qualified people to help clients achieve optimal health. RDs elevate the standard of care and TRULY change people’s lives with the science and psychology behind their work. All that’s to say, the biggest thing that sets a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) apart from a nutritionist is the EXTENSIVE schooling, training, and evaluation they undertake to earn this title.
These dedicated professionals undergo a comprehensive educational process accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) and the Commission on Dietetic Registration which includes at least 1,000 hours of supervised practice. They need to achieve at the minimum, a master’s degree in nutrition or dietetics. However, most of the RDs you know will have advanced certifications! The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics helps to further support professional development. RDs are at the forefront of translating scientific research into practical and helpful nutritional advice. In fact, The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) talks about just how important registered dietitians are in promoting exceptional health and preventing illness. Seriously, you are a BIG DEAL!
Not only are RDs equipped on the knowledge side of things, they're actually informed on how to genuinely care for people. Registered Dietitians are trained in motivational interviewing to create a nurturing, warm, and supportive environment while helping their clients achieve their desired nutrition goals. It’s one thing to KNOW about nutrition, but RDs actually know how to communicate to clients and support them as they embark on their health journey. But with an RD a client knows they’re not just getting fed (no pun intended) a flashy sales pitch or internet trend, they’re getting their guidance from someone who follows strict guidelines and regulations to execute only evidence-based practice that are in-line with the latest advancements in the field of nutrition. These clients can know they are truly getting the best care.
Above all, RDs bring a wealth of invaluable knowledge to the table. They are healers, creators, life changers, and so much more.
What Does a Registered Dietitian Do?
Registered Dietitians play a really important role in promoting health and preventing long-term conditions through the art of proper nutrition. They have a huge range of job descriptions, and they are very different from nutritionists because of their specific qualifications and industry standards. Here are some of the key things registered dietitians do:
Assessment and Evaluation: Looking at dietary habits and finding where improvement can be made. Conducting assessments and looking at things like age, health status, medical history, and lifestyle.
Nutrition Planning: Developing personalized nutrition plans to address medical conditions, health goals, or dietary restrictions. Providing guidance on food choices, meal timing, dietary changes to support disease management or prevention and more.
Medical Nutrition Therapy: Working with people dealing with medical conditions to create individual plans to ease side effects and improve health. Collaborating with allied healthcare professionals to optimize overall patient care and outcomes.
Education and Nutrition Counseling: Educating clients on the role nutrition plays in overall health. Offering support to clients while making lifestyle changes.
Community and Public Health: Conducting programs in schools, communities, and workplaces to promote healthy eating habits. Participate in campaigns and public health initiatives.
Research and Development: Engaging in research to keep up to date with the latest evidence-based practices and nutritional science.
Food Service Management: Managing and overseeing food service operations in schools, healthcare facilities, and other institutions.
In many places, the dietitian title is actually legally protected! This means that only people meeting specific professional and educational criteria can use it. RDs have a much broader scope of practice and often work out of their own private practice.
Requirements To Be a Registered Dietitian
Becoming an RD isn’t easy, but it’s worth it! It involves quite a large combination of education, training, and internships. Plus, you have to pass a national exam. Here are the key requirements.
Earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Dietetics or Nutrition
You must first earn a bachelor’s degree from an accredited dietetics program, which typically takes up to four years to complete. While your degree could be in another major, most RD2Be's (future Registered Dietitians) ultimately complete a bachelor's degree in nutrition and dietetics at a school that offers a DPD (Didactic Program in Dietetics) in order to meet the requirements and complete the necessary paperwork for a dietetic internship.
Earn a Master’s Degree
As of January 1, 2024, the minimum educational requirement to be eligible for the registration examination for dietitians has shifted from a bachelor's degree to a graduate degree. While the specific coursework varies by program, it generally includes topics such as food and nutrition sciences, foodservice management, business, economics, computer science, culinary arts, sociology, and communication, as well as foundational science courses like biochemistry, physiology, microbiology, anatomy, and chemistry. To sit for the RDN exam, a master's degree is now mandatory. Some accredited programs incorporate a master's degree within their curriculum, while other students may complete an undergraduate degree in dietetics and then pursue a master's degree in a different field, such as public health or communications.
Supervised Internship or Coordinate Program Completion
After you’ve obtained your degree, you need to complete a supervised internship or coordinated program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). This is often referred to as a dietetic internship or DI. Within these programs individuals must complete at least 1,000 hours of supervised practice to gain real-world experience and apply knowledge learned in the classroom to the context of a variety of work settings.
State Licensure
Some states may require you to have a state license, and this will vary between states. Others may have certification as opposed to licensure.
Complete Continuing Education
To maintain your RD status, you must complete 75 continuing education credits (including at least 1 credit in ethics) every 5 years to stay current. These credits can be earned through conferences, workshops, or additional coursework. Some RDs also choose to pursue advanced degrees to further enhance their expertise.
What is a Nutritionist?
A nutritionist can be well-educated, but unfortunately, in many cases, they are self-proclaimed experts who make money offering advice they aren’t necessarily qualified to give. Nutritionists provide guidance on food and dietary choices with the goal of impacting a client’s health or achieving specific objectives. However, unlike Registered Dietitians (RDs), nutritionists are not well-regulated, and there are no universal requirements to call yourself a “nutritionist.” As a result, the qualifications and standards for nutritionists can vary greatly.
Some nutritionists but not all nutritionists may undergo formal education and certification, but most do not. Many base their advice on social trends, personal experience, or limited training rather than evidence-based science. While some nutritionists may hold the Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS) credential—offered through the Board for Certification of Nutrition Specialists (BCNS)—this certification requires a master's degree in nutrition and supervised practice, as well as passing an exam. However, even the CNS credential is less comprehensive than that of an RD, which requires a bachelor's degree in nutrition, extensive supervised clinical training, and national licensing exams. Furthermore, there is no regulation requiring nutritionists to continue their education or stay current with emerging nutritional science.
Because there are no consistent requirements for becoming a nutritionist, individuals need to exercise caution and do their due diligence when selecting one. Their qualifications can vary widely compared to those of a Registered Dietitian. The bottom line is that there is no official licensing for "nutritionists," and Registered Dietitians are the recognized standard of care in the field of nutrition.
It’s important to note that a Registered Dietitian can choose to refer to themselves as a nutritionist, and you may even see RDs using the title Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN). This is a personal choice of the clinician. However, a “nutritionist” is not the same as a Registered Dietitian or a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. It’s crucial for the public to understand these differences and verify credentials when seeking nutritional advice.
What Does a Nutritionist Do?
A self-proclaimed nutrition expert or self-proclaimed nutritionist might offer the services I’ll list below. Many individuals in the public may be considering a nutritionist to help them in these areas–but they should NOT be. If someone is offering these services—they should always check credentials and education as well ask ask themselves why they’re not hiring an RD instead.
Nutritional Counseling
Wellness Programs
Meal Plans
Educational Programs
Fitness Nutrition
Sports Nutrition
Product Development
Requirements To Be A Nutritionist
The requirements to become a nutritionist vary GREATLY from those to become a Registered Dietitian. Some states will require aspiring nutritionists to have some sort of certification and training, while others don’t need anything at all. As you can see, the educational requirements, background, certifications, and training differ HUGELY!
This is a HUGE red flag and the exact reason I’m sharing this post with you today!
It's my hope that this post helped to shed light on the very real and important differences between a self-proclaimed nutritionist and a Registered Dietitian.
Whether you’re trying to explain the difference to your friends and family or to a future client, keep this post in mind! You might even consider saving it to your favorites for easy sharing.
If you're a Registered Dietitian or a Registered Dietitian to Be with dreams and aspirations of starting your own practice so our collective voice and impact can change the world, I would love to invite you to apply to work with me today, to get started on your journey!