Nutritionist vs. Deitician

leavinglasvegas

I'm very confused about this. So anyone in the know, please help me understand.........


It has been said time and time again, on here, on Dr. Oz, by my endochrinologist, etc...... Anyone can be a nutritionist, but a dietician is who has the education, blah, blah, blah.

So heres where I'm confused.

The bachelors in nutritional science and dietetics course work is the same except..... the nutritional science requires some additional culinary, sanitation, and other coursework. So, in otherwords, to be a nutritionist, I would take more classes than a dietician. How is it true then that anyone can call themselves a nutritionist? It still requires a bachelors degree. And from what I can see, I would rather follow that coursework because it is more detailed and involved. If I want to take that bachelors and apply to be a dietician, I just need to take and additional science, meet the GPA for the program and then get registered.

Is this just in Michigan that you need a bachelors to be called a nutritionist? Is it just Wayne State University that has these two seperate programs? What am I missing here?

I've decided to take the nutritional science, get the degree, then apply for the RD. Why? I want the additional coursework, knowlege, and the rest is all the same. Am I wrong to think this way?

Thoughts?

questionablemethods

My basic understanding is that you can have a bachelors in nutrition or dietetics, but there isn't a professional designation for "nutritionist" -- no governing board to regulating standards, credentials and such. You can be a "registered dietician" but there is not "registered nutritionist" because there is no place to "register" as such.

This is my completely off-the-cuff understanding, but I could be totally wrong.

leavinglasvegas

My basic understanding is that you can have a bachelors in nutrition or dietetics, but there isn't a professional designation for "nutritionist" -- no governing board to regulating standards, credentials and such. You can be a "registered dietician" but there is not "registered nutritionist" because there is no place to "register" as such.

This is my completely off-the-cuff understanding, but I could be totally wrong.

I guess that makes sense. It just feels misleading to assume that just because someone is registered by a govrerning agency they are more competant than someone who may have more education. I understand the whole regestering process for purpose of accountability and all. But its kind of sad that that is the only thing that seperates the two, especially when the nutritionist may be more knowlegable. It seems to boil down to who will follow the preset guidlines as set forth by the powers that be.

That being said, it doesn't follow that anyone can call themselves a nutritionist. Because you do need a degree. In that case, anyone can call themselves a dietician, teacher, or polar bear too.

recipe4success

No, the designation "Dietitian" is a registered term, as are the letters "R.D" or whatever professional designation for dietitian is used in your country. Much as only those who are qualified to be a doctor can call themselves "M.D" only those who are qualified to be a dietitian can call themselves "R.D".

There are programs available to become a dietitian, which help you get prepared for the national dietetic regulatory examination, which will give you the right to call yourself a dietitian when you pass it. There are however many other courses available, some from less reputable places, where you become a 'nutritionist' at the end.

I am wondering in regards to the courses you are speaking whether one is for a dietetic technician, and one for a nutritionist? Because yes, in many places you complete the course work for a nutrition degree and then take the exam to become a dietitian. And i guarantee that you need more education to be a dietitian than a nutritionist.

We can all call ourselves nutritionists, you can, I can, your dog can. It is not a registered term, and thus means nothing. HOwever, some dietitians choose to call themselves a nutritionist by choice, as that term is more recognized by the public.

So no, you cannot call yourself a dietitian unless you have qualified to write the national exam (i.e. you have a degree in nutrition or dietetics) AND you have written that exam and applied for professional designation as a dietitian (you have R.D. after your name).

leavinglasvegas

I get that. Maybe its just my University? I don't know.

My friend is doing the same program. The coursework for both degrees is exactly the same as far as science, math, arts, english, history, etc. The only difference is, the nutritional science includes additional courses directly related to preparing food and the food indusrty. There are a few culinary, sanitation, and business/hospitality courses as well as a few PE and wellness courses. Personally I want that additional education. I hate seeing a dietician who does nothing more than give me a copy of the food pyramid.

What the University told me was this. After I get my bachelors, I can take a few more science courses (3 more, but I can't recall which ones) and then I can register to take dietetic exam as long as my GPA is 3.6 or above. Sure, it'll take me an extra year, but I feel that it would be more beneficial to my education to take the long road.

recipe4success

The coursework for both degrees is exactly the same as far as science, math, arts, english, history, etc. The only difference is, the nutritional science includes additional courses directly related to preparing food and the food indusrty. There are a few culinary, sanitation, and business/hospitality courses as well as a few PE and wellness courses. Personally I want that additional education.

Can you give me links so i can look at the two programs?

Also, at my university you do take many vast courses (food science, biochemistry, microbiology, business, pathology, food safety, public speaking etc) during your nutrition degree (which you take to become a dietitian).

leavinglasvegas

http://www.clas.wayne.edu/unit-inner.asp?WebPageID=561

This is from the university. But the lists that I have are directly linked to my personal transfer program and are more detailed. Those are what I was going off of, I haven't spent too much time looking at these, so not sure if it will help.

I have the direct lists printed up somewhere around here right now, but I'm in the middle of a complete teardown of my office, so its in a pile somewhere....... God help me:laugh:

SHBoss1673

Was going to reply, but Shygal got it spot on.

I love this article, especially the end (about her dog)

http://www.healthline.com/blogs/diet_nutrition/2008/05/nutritionist-vs-dietitian.html

recipe4success

Thanks for posting that.

Based on what I saw, I have to say that to be a well rounded dietitian you would have to take additional courses outside of those listed for either degree. There is not much training in areas outside of pure nutritional science, which is important, but not everything.

Also, as it says on the site, i think that the dietetics course is geared towards those who definitely want to become a clinical dietitian. If you want to be a community, food service management, or private practice dietitian, I think it would be better to do as you suggested and take an additional year of classes.

Just my two cents.

recipe4success

Excellent article. Another thing worth mentioning is that many nutritionists cannot call themselves dietitians as they were not able to secure themselves an internship position (required to do before you write the R.D. exam). These people received the same schooling as R.D.s, except for the practical internship part of their courses that takes place after their degree. I know a few people who are 'just' nutritionists but who are very qualified, from accredited universities, and who i would trust to give me dietary advice. It is all about asking people about their credentials and finding out why they call themselves a nutritionist.

Crysta1976

From what I have heard, the additional classes for nutritionist (sanitation, culinary, hospitality)...are, like you said, more geared to the service industry. Many with that program work with schools to create the menues, manage kitchens in hotels and resorts...stuff like that. Going through and taking the exam to be registered as a dietician takes more of a clinical route....working with diabetic patients and stuff like that.

At least, this is what I gathered when trying to do the nursing school thing...

leavinglasvegas

OK. I think I'm more comfortable with my decision now. Thanks for all the help.

I'm most certainly going to take all courses of all kinds just because this is something I'm doing on my own anyway. I figure if its interesting, I like it, and I'm doing it anyway, might as well get a degree and get paid for it too, right? I'm halfway through anyway, just because I kept detering myself while I was preparing to take the BSW. I found both science and wellness more interesting and kept taking those courses and putting off the BSW. Might as well see it through now because I have no intention of stopping.

Thanks again!

recipe4success

No problem! I love it, and i am sure you will too

lilmissy2

On a side note, there are other benefits to being a dietitian I think... like travel for one. Ie if you want to live and practice in another country, much more likely to get work easily if you are qualified as a dietitian and also the points you can get toward a visa are different. Also I think there are a lot more job opportunities in general, since some jobs will only accept dietitians but those that accept 'nutritionists' will also (obviously) accept dietitians.

For your interest, in some countries you can actually call yourself either a nutritionist or dietitian with absolutely no training. Of course, you can't be registered or accredited. Also, many accreditation or registering bodies are now offering protected titles such as 'accredited nutritionist' for those that simply prefer the term nutritionist but are registered as dietitians.

Best of luck to you :flowerforyou:

recipe4success

On a side note, there are other benefits to being a dietitian I think... like travel for one. Ie if you want to live and practice in another country, much more likely to get work easily if you are qualified as a dietitian and also the points you can get toward a visa are different. Also I think there are a lot more job opportunities in general, since some jobs will only accept dietitians but those that accept 'nutritionists' will also (obviously) accept dietitians.

For your interest, in some countries you can actually call yourself either a nutritionist or dietitian with absolutely no training. Of course, you can't be registered or accredited. Also, many accreditation or registering bodies are now offering protected titles such as 'accredited nutritionist' for those that simply prefer the term nutritionist but are registered as dietitians.

Best of luck to you :flowerforyou:

I'm curious about your last point about becoming an accredited nutritionist...is that only in some countries? I haven't heard of that here (in canada)

leavinglasvegas

You know, I never considered leaving the US, but I do intend to leave Michigan as soon as I graduate... possibly sooner if I am accepted to U of Hawaii next summer (Chances are slim due to my being a broke azz and having a kid to bring with me and a house I can't sell here).....

The accredidation is national right? Unlike my esthetics license where I have to register with each state according to their educational requirements?

Like, when I get to Hawaii, my licesne will transfer provided I can prove I've worked in Michigan for one year, or I have to take an additional 200 hours training by the Hawaii State Board. So, if I do dietetics here in Michigan, do I have to work here first, or can I just go on with my bad self?

recipe4success

You know, I never considered leaving the US, but I do intend to leave Michigan as soon as I graduate... possibly sooner if I am accepted to U of Hawaii next summer (Chances are slim due to my being a broke azz and having a kid to bring with me and a house I can't sell here).....

The accredidation is national right? Unlike my esthetics license where I have to register with each state according to their educational requirements?

Like, when I get to Hawaii, my licesne will transfer provided I can prove I've worked in Michigan for one year, or I have to take an additional 200 hours training by the Hawaii State Board. So, if I do dietetics here in Michigan, do I have to work here first, or can I just go on with my bad self?

Accreditation is national, so if you get accredited in the USA you can work anywhere in the USA as a dietitian. I believe if you move to a different country you need to write their exam though to become registered.

leavinglasvegas

OK. Got it. Thanks.:bigsmile:

lilmissy2

The Accredited Nutritionist title is Australian... not sure if there is also something similar in other countries but it is a very recent thing and essentially you have to be a dietitian to have the title ie you can't be a nutritionist and be accredited, just a dietitian who wants to call themselves a nutritionist.

I always thought that Canada in particular (and no idea about the states) needed you to be registered within your ?state (not sure that is the right word)... I looked into working in Canada myself and it seemed that different states or counties or whatever would have different requirements for me being registered.

lilmissy2

Oh also, for your interest: Australia has an exam, Canada (from what I have read) may require you to sit an exam dependant on your original training and your experience and may also require you to do an (or part of) internship additional to that you have already done, the UK doesn't have an exam, just a load of paperwork.

recipe4success

The Accredited Nutritionist title is Australian... not sure if there is also something similar in other countries but it is a very recent thing and essentially you have to be a dietitian to have the title ie you can't be a nutritionist and be accredited, just a dietitian who wants to call themselves a nutritionist.

I always thought that Canada in particular (and no idea about the states) needed you to be registered within your ?state (not sure that is the right word)... I looked into working in Canada myself and it seemed that different states or counties or whatever would have different requirements for me being registered.

Ah very interesting!

In Canada, how it works is that you write the national dietetic exam, and then you become a dietitian (R.D.). Then you register with your provincial regulatory body. You can move between provinces with no trouble, you just have to register with the appropriate provincial body once you move. There is no exam for registering, just an annual fee.

http://www.dietitians.ca/public/content/career_in_nutrition/provincial_regulatory_bodies.asp