Dietitian? Nutritionist? Certifications? Credentialing? What are the differences and why is it important?

Whether you’re a student exploring a career in nutrition & dietetics or you’re a consumer of nutrition products and services, I cannot emphasize enough how important it is to understand who and where you are getting your information from. The health and wellness industry is notorious for misinformation in the form of extreme diet & exercise regimens, “miracle“ products, and lifestyle coaching that is not based on concrete scientific evidence.

Before I dig any further into this topic, I want to clarify that choosing to be one kind of nutrition profession over the other does not make you “better” or “less than“ the other. As an RD, I can confidently say that not all registered dietitians are good at what they do, nor always have your best interest in mind. Conversely, not all nutritionists are bad at what they do, and can actually be very knowledgable and highly educated. Instead, I believe that having a clear understanding of each title can help you as a potential consumer, patient, or client to make the best informed decision based on your individual health needs. Also, if you’re considering a career in nutrition, then knowing the differences between different titles and credentials can help point you in the right professional direction!

First off, the most important distinction between registered dietitians and other nutritionists is that, at its core, virtually ANYONE can identify themselves as a nutritionist. Unfortunately, the US doesn’t have consistent or concrete regulations on using the term “nutritionist,” so it’s pretty much free game, regardless of the amount of education and training you’ve had. With that being said, there are also a number of different certifications available for various nutritionist titles that may also include advanced degrees as a prerequisite.

However, no matter what nutrition certification you may have, you ultimately cannot give advice on therapeutic diets or medical nutrition therapy for any disease. Nutritionist can only give counsel or advise for general wellbeing and health improvement, and even then, it’s kind of a grey area. In my opinion, consumers who may benefit from a nutritionist versus a dietitian are likely individuals who don’t have any preexisting health conditions who simply want a better understanding of what nutrition is and how to apply it into their lifestyle. You can often find nutritionists in health coaching, sports nutrition, and sales of health products/services. Individuals with advanced degrees (MS, PhDs) in nutrition can also be found in scientific research and professorships.

Registered Dietitians, on the other hand, are licensed by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. It’s the only organization that the United States recognizes for its professionals to assess, diagnose, and treat various nutrition related complications of disease. Although the fundamental difference between RD/RDNs and nutritionists lies in the comprehensive clinical training, a lot of dietitians choose to work outside of healthcare. You can find RD/RDNs in public health, entrepreneurs in their own business or private practice , scientific research, corporate wellness, food service & hospitality, sports nutrition, and public education. Ultimately, they are professionally recognized as “food and nutrition experts,“ and generally have a more opportunities for higher paying career opportunities (but this isn’t always true either). I’d recommend seeing a dietitian if you are looking for advise navigating health concerns such as diabetes, high blood pressure, chronic kidney disease, and so on.

To summarize, if you’re trying to decide between a registered dietitian and a certified nutritionist for nutrition advise, there are a few things that you need to consider. Dietitians are always going to be the better option for people who need help with their diet while managing acute and chronic disease. For people who may be training for a sporting event or competition and want to maximize their performance, you could go either way when deciding between a sports dietitian and sports nutritionist depending on their individual experience, values, & approach. When seeking general nutrition knowledge (for example learning how to meal prep on a busy schedule) you may decide to opt for a nutritionist instead of a dietitian, depending on your access to an RD, your budget & insurance coverage, and aren’t managing other health issues.

If you’re considering a career in nutrition, knowing the key differences between certified nutritionists and registered dietitians can help you decide which route to choose. Registered dietitians are considered the golden standard when it comes to working in the clinical field, but they are also important in other industries as well (ex: corporate wellness, private practice, public health, research, etc). However, there are also opportunities for various nutritionists as well. For example, I’ve seen nutritionists also running their own personal businesses, working for health and wellness corporations, scientific research, education, and fitness.

What are your thoughts on registered dietitians and certified nutritionists? Is there anything you think I missed or left out? Let me know in the comments below!