What is a Dietician and a Nutritionist?
Nutritionists and dietitians are experts in food and diet, and they assist people in maintaining good health and preventing or treating health conditions. Due to their varying credentials and training, dietitians and nutritionists are frequently miscategorized. The duties of the two professions are somewhat similar. However, the terms should not be used interchangeably because a dietitian's role is more highly regulated than a nutritionist's.
Registered dietitians are often referred to as "dietitians" (RDs). The primary distinction between RDs and nutritionists is that RDs typically have higher levels of education and qualifications. Depending on the state in which they work, they are permitted to refer to themselves as nutritionists even if they lack any formal education, training, licensure, or certification in the field. However, it is against the law to do the same for a dietitian.
Nutritionists often work with people or populations to educate them more of general nutrition, food and health. Their emphasis is on eating habits. This includes collaborating with people to create and follow meal plans that help in improving the individual’s or family’s nutrition.
Dieticians work in all the same types of settings as nutritionists, including schools, hospitals, government health facilities, long-term care facilities, research and sports.
A significant difference between a nutritionist and a dietitian is that the dietitian can help diagnose and treat illnesses. Clinical dietitians in hospitals, long-term care facilities, in- and outpatient clinics and private practice often work with individuals experiencing eating disorders, substance abuse or medical conditions with symptoms that can be improved or managed with a more specific diet or meal planning. RDs often collaborate with mental health professionals to screen for eating disorders.
Cases
Dieticians
Nutritionists
- Meeting with first-time clients to determine their overall health
- Establishing short-term and long-term health goals
- Creating a care plan that is realistic and appropriate
- Ensuring plans meet health, weight, and nutritional goals
- Counseling clients about what to expect from their eating plan
- Educating clients about food and nutritional choices
- Creating menus and meal plans
- Researching or developing recipes
Types of Dieticians and Nutritionists
Clinical Dietitians and Clinical Nutritionists
Clinical dietitians and clinical nutritionists provide medical nutrition therapy. They create customized nutritional programs based on the health needs of clients and counsel clients on how to improve their health through nutrition. Clinical dietitians and clinical nutritionists may further specialize, such as by working only with people who have kidney disease, diabetes, digestive disorders, or other specific conditions. They work in institutions such as hospitals, long-term care facilities, and clinics, as well as in private practice.
Community Dietitians and Community Nutritionists
Community dietitians and community nutritionists develop programs and counsel the public on topics related to food, health, and nutrition. They often work with specific groups of people, such as adolescents or the elderly. They work in public health clinics, government and nonprofit agencies, health maintenance organizations (HMOs), and other settings.
Management Dietitians
Management dietitians plan food programs. They may be responsible for buying food and for carrying out other business-related tasks, such as budgeting. Management dietitians may oversee kitchen staff or other dietitians. They work in food service settings such as cafeterias, hospitals, prisons, and schools.
Centers & Institutes
Healthcare Delivery by Dieticians and Nutritionists in the US
The tasks each professional is allowed to perform depend on state law. In the United States, many people can call themselves nutritionists though there is a more protected title of a certified nutrition specialist (CNS). The CNS title usually refers to someone who has met all requirements to pass the Board for Certification of Nutrition Specialists exam, which is why the title is protected. Unlike registered dietitians who prescribe nutrition therapy, CNSs organize public health programs that teach about healthy diets.
Nutritionists are limited in what they can do in many states. For example, because nutritionists do not necessarily have a certification, license or clinical experience, they might not be allowed to perform specific nutrition counseling or diagnose and treat medical conditions. Many states and insurance providers place limitations on specific nutrition counseling. Some states allow nutritionists to perform nutrition counseling, but they cannot seek reimbursement from insurance. There are states that require nutritionists to be licensed before they can provide nutrition counseling, and others require a professional to be an RD to lawfully provide nutrition counseling.
In a larger setting, RDs may create and implement meal plans in hospital cafeterias, schools and food corporations. They might supervise other dietitians, food purchasers, kitchen staff and other employees responsible for implementing a meal plan.
Dietitians also can work with larger populations regarding nutrition and food issues. Some work in government positions, insurance companies and nonprofits.
The career outlook of both is good. The BLS reports that there were 73,000 dietitian and nutritionist jobs in 2020, and the field is expected to grow 11% by 2030, much faster than the average for all occupations.
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The material presented above is only meant to be informative and is not intended to take the place of advice from your doctor or another health care practitioner. We advise you to talk to your provider about any questions or issues you may have.
