Two titles keep popping up in your search for a health coach: dietitian and nutritionist, but you don’t know the real difference between these two.These titles aren’t the same, nor are they interchangeable. There are important distinctions between the two and reasons to be mindful of who you select depending on your health goals.
If you’re looking for science-backed, expert advice on healthy eating, how do you know who to turn to? Today, I’ll explain.
The Differences Between Dietitians and Nutritionists
Anyone can call themselves a nutritionist, but dietitians have specialized training. Let’s look more closely at the distinctions between these two terms.
Title
Dietitians, also called Registered Dietitians (RDs), are recognized medical professionals. The title “dietitian” is reserved for people who have undergone rigorous education and completed licensure requirements. Referring to oneself as a “dietitian” without appropriate credentialing is prohibited by law.
Anyone can call themselves a nutritionist, on the other hand. In most states, there aren’t any requirements about who can or can’t use this title.
Education
Dietitians are required to fulfill the hefty educational requirements listed by their state. This includes a bachelor’s and master’s degree from an accredited dietetics program.
There are no educational requirements for nutritionists. In most states, nutritionists aren’t required to have any formal nutrition education, training, licensing, or certification. Nutritionists may have completed some education related to diet or food science. For example, they may have earned a bachelor’s or master’s degree in nutrition. Or health may simply be a personal hobby.
Qualifications
Dietitians have completed the requirements set by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. They’re qualified to provide nutrition counseling and medical nutrition therapy. Nutritionists aren’t required to have a license or certification.
Services
Dietitians can help diagnose and treat illness. They work to help people address weight loss or weight gain and how these factors relate to illnesses like diabetes, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), and eating disorders. They also can provide people with education, tools, and support to meet their personal goals.
Depending on their knowledge and education. A nutritionist may also be able to help clients meet goals like weight loss, athletic readiness, and overall better health. However, they cannot diagnose or treat illness or provide nutritional counseling for specific conditions.
Settings
Dietitians can work in many settings, including hospitals, doctors’ offices, nursing homes, gyms, rec centers, pharmaceutical companies, food service organizations, or independently with clients. Nutritionists may also work in clinical settings if they’ve received formal education, or they can work one-on-one with their own clients.
Insurance Coverage
Your insurance may cover visits to a dietitian. Because most nutritionists, however, aren’t recognized as health professionals, they typically aren’t covered by insurance.
How Dietitians Earn Their Title
The requirements to become a registered dietitian in the U.S. include:
- Earning a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from an accredited dietetics program
- Reaching at least 1,000 hours of supervised practice
- Taking and passing the national exam to obtain their licensure
- Completing continuing education every five years
- Following a specific code of ethics in their work
Is a Dietitian or Nutritionist Better at Helping You Lose Weight?
Both dietitians and nutritionists can help people improve their health through diet and lifestyle changes. They both help people find the best foods and habits to meet their health needs. But dietitians and nutritionists have different education and qualifications.
When you hire a dietitian, you can be confident they are an expert in matters like the best eating plan, how to leverage food to improve your health, and how to reach your goals.
In addition to their dependability, dietitians can get to the bottom of your health issue at hand. They can help you identify and address specific challenges, such as health conditions or eating disorders that are causing weight gain. Instead of simply tweaking behaviors, dietitians can help you heal the underlying reason why weight loss has been so hard and unsustainable in the past.
When Should You See a Dietitian?
A dietitian can help you meet your personal nutrition needs and health goals. They can design meal plans, provide counseling, and help you manage chronic conditions. Dietitians are also a great asset for improving your relationship with food and promoting a healthier lifestyle.
Consider seeing a dietitian if you:
- Want to lose or gain weight
- Want to improve your body composition
- Want to improve your athletic performance
- Want to learn more about nutrition and health
- Want to improve your hormonal balance
- Aren’t feeling your best physically or mentally
- Are living with an eating disorder
- Have a food allergy or intolerance
- Have been diagnosed with a chronic condition, like diabetes, heart disease, or kidney disease
Is a Dietitian Worth the Cost?
The long-term benefits, like more energy, permanent weight loss, better health, and a longer, more vibrant life are worth every bit of time and money you invest.
You may be surprised by how affordable and accessible dietitians are! One-on-one coaching typically ranges between $100 and $200 per session. However, some or all of this cost may be covered by your insurance.
You can also look for group sessions with a registered dietitian to save you a lot of money (my 7-week LEAN program with daily coaching, for example, costs $199). In a group program, you can still gain nutritional information, receive personalized coaching, and lose weight without the higher price tag.
If you want to receive the best, evidence-based advice from a health and wellness professional, a dietitian will always be your best bet.
As a registered dietitian for over 20 years and a fitness enthusiast, my passion and purpose is to empower others who want to get back on track and take control of their health. Ready to make a change that lasts? Let’s talk.
