Looking for a Registered Dietitian (RD) or a Nutritionist? You make the call!
by Amy Carlson, MS, RD, LD


"Are you a dietitian or a nutritionist? I don’t like calling you a dietitian cause it makes me think of a hairnet and serving up food"! This is a very common question that registered dietitians get from patients, clients, other health professionals and even family members. So what is the difference between these two seemingly interchangeable professions?

What is a Registered Dietitian?
Let’s start with the Registered Dietitian. The registered dietitian is a health care professional that provides medical nutrition therapy in many different settings. Registered dietitians are professionals, who provide reliable, objective nutrition information, separate facts from fads and translate the latest scientific findings into easy-to-understand nutrition information.

The American Dietetic Association gives a good description of "what a registered dietitian is"...The letters "RD" after a person's name signify that he/she has completed academic and experience requirements established by the Commission on Dietetic Registration, the credentialing agency for ADA, including a minimum of a bachelor's degree granted by a U.S. regionally accredited college/university, or equivalent, and an accredited pre-professional experience program. RDs demonstrate their knowledge of food and nutrition by successfully passing a national credentialing exam and by completing ongoing continuing professional development." Dietitians must apply for an internship in the same way a physician applies for his/her residency. If they are placed in a program, they complete over 900 hours of training and follow this by taking a National exam. Registered Dietitians practice in a wide variety of settings including clinical based inpatient care in hospitals or long term care facilities assessing nutrition needs of patients, research, managers in food service arenas, corporate wellness, and outpatient counseling both in hospitals and in private practice. Most individuals who are "seeking a dietitian" are typically seeking them for individual counseling for weight loss, eating disorder or a diet instruction for a medical condition. These dietitians typically provide their services in private practice or in a hospital-based program. Depending on the needs/diagnosis of the person seeking treatment insurance may cover some or all of the consult. Registered dietitians often pair with licensed therapists to provide counseling for eating disorder patients. They usually work closely with other health care professionals including the individual’s physician to provide appropriate care. Registered dietitians practicing offer varying services depending on their specialty and can provide a diet analysis, individual consult and individual meal plan according to your needs along with other services. Their fees vary depending upon geographic location, length of visit and services provided. Some registered dietitians refer to themselves as "nutritionists" for convenience and because their patients are more familiar with this terminology.

What is a nutritionist?
There are many different definitions and requirements for being a "nutritionist". The most basic thing to recognize is that anyone with "basic nutrition knowledge" can call themselves a "Nutritionist". Many people take general nutrition courses and after taking these courses call themselves "Nutritionists" and set up shop counseling patients on anything from supplement use to meal plans. Other people calling themselves "Nutritionists" are very qualified often having a B.S. in Nutrition followed sometimes by a Ph.D. in Nutrition Science. Individuals with these advanced degrees are often not doing nutrition counseling in the community but are often in research or academics. Some individuals receive a B.S. in nutrition but do not choose to do an internship and some may receive an extra certification so they can use the title "Certified Clinical Nutritionist". These individuals are likely qualified to help guide someone in weight loss or even answer questions about supplement use and other various basic information but they do not necessarily have the same medical training that a dietitian receives. Some people may receive an Associates Degree in Nutrition, which would require two years of study from an accredited program. Unfortunately, there are some organizations offering a "Certification" in Nutrition if you pay a large sum of money for less than two full days worth of courses. None of these individuals can bill insurance companies for their services.

What is the take home message?
It is very important to investigate the credentials of the "nutritionist" that you are planning on seeing for your individual needs. If the individual has RD after their name they must meet the requirements mentioned above but it's still worth talking to them before you make an appointment so that you feel comfortable with their expertise. If they call themselves a "Nutritionist"...investigate! You are worth the very best and deserve the most qualified professional. Nutrition is a dynamic field with a continual onslaught of new scientific information that needs some deciphering. Seek someone that can help you meet your individual nutrition needs and goals. Before making an appointment, speak with the person you are planning on seeing and see what services they provide, if they have similar philosophies that you do and that their fee structures are up front. Invest in your health!

Amy B. Carlson, MS, RD, LD is a registered dietitian and consults clients at "The Healthy Weigh" on a one-on-one or group setting in Houston, Texas. To contact Amy for an appointment call 713-978-1713 or e-mail her at abcdietitian@hotmail.com.

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