A Dietician vs. A Nutritionist: What's the Difference?

As obesity and proper nutrition become a concern for many families, more and more people are turning to professionals to help them get on a good nutritional path. Determining and fulfilling dietary and nutrition needs is becoming a hot and in-demand service, but many people are left scratching their heads wondering exactly what the difference is between a dietitian and a nutritionist.

As far as what they specifically do, there is little difference between a dietician and a nutritionist. The difference lies in their credentials. A dietician is an accredited health care provider that has undergone nutrition education, while a nutritionist is not required to carry such documentation. While they may have undergone training in nutrition, nutritionists cannot call themselves dietitians without first completing the required courses and obtaining their certification.

Although most nutritionists are knowledgeable in their field and can provide you with the same information and advice as a licensed dietician, there are good and bad practitioners just as there are in any field. However, there is no standard certification process to help you differentiate between them like there is with dieticians. Since a dietician needs to be registered and licensed, you can rest assured that you and your family's nutrition and health are in capable hands, and you can know exactly what education and level of experience they have before you go see them.