Eating the right foods is a very important part of staying healthy. The services that nutritionists and dietitians provide have become more important as more people try to improve their eating habits. Unfortunately, so many people are confused about the difference between dietitians and nutritionists and the services they are trained to provide.
Facts
Dietitians and nutritionists differ in several ways including their qualifications, the services they provide and state licensing requirements.
Colleges typically offer bachelor's or master's degree programs in nutrition, dietetics and food management, but most nutritionists are not required to have a degree in order to use this title because it is not a protected title.
Dietitians are required to complete a nutrition-related degree program to earn the registered dietitian designation. Most states require dietitians to obtain approval before using this professional title.
Function
Dietitians work in a variety of settings including hospitals, nursing homes and other health care facilities. They plan nutrition programs to help improve the health of their patients. The majority of their work involves meal planning and advising patients on eat healthy.
Most nutritionists work as private consultants, providing information about healthy meal planning to help their clients achieve weight loss or wellness goals. Some nutritionists are also hired to work with clients at supermarkets, health food stores or weight loss clinics.
Qualifications
According to the American Dietetic Association (ADA), dietitians must meet four basic requirements in order to become registered dietitians. They must graduate with at least a bachelor's degree from a college approved by the Commission for Accreditation for Dietetics Education (CADE). They must also complete a supervised internship that is accredited by CADE. A passing score on the national registration exam administered by the Commission of Dietetic Registration and completion of continuing education courses is also required.
There are no specific qualifications for nutritionists except in the states that require them to obtain a license to practice. These states may require licensees to have a nutrition-related master's or doctoral degree and pass a state approved exam. Membership with the American Board of Nutrition or a similar organization may also be required.
Types
There are fewer variations of nutritionists than there are of dietitians. There are management, clinical and community dietitians. Management dietitians develop and supervise meal plans for large facilities including schools and prisons. Clinical dietitians collaborate with other health care professionals to plan meal programs for patients. Community dietitians work for agencies that teach people eat healthy.
The two main types of nutritionists are those that provide services to customers as consultants and those that work for companies in product research and development.
Warning
People seeking the services of a nutritionist should be aware that, in many states, it is not illegal for a person with little or no training and education to use this title. It is important to check with the American Dietetic Association for more information about a person's credentials and training.
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