Nutritionist vs. Dietitian

shawmutt

I see a lot of folks talking about nutritionists, and not a whole lot of talk about dietitians.

A dietitian is a licensed, regulated term in the US. Eatright.org, the website of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, says this about the requirements.

Registered dietitians must meet the following criteria to earn the RD credential:

*Bachelor's degree with course work approved by the Academy's Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics.
*Coursework typically includes food and nutrition sciences, foodservice systems management, business, economics, computer science, sociology, biochemistry, physiology, microbiology and chemistry.
*Complete an accredited, supervised, experiential practice program at a health-care facility, community agency or foodservice corporation.
*Pass a national examination administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration.
*Complete continuing professional educational requirements to maintain registration.

A nutritionist, on the other hand, can fill out a piece of paper and get a credential. Connie Diekman, a previous president of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, filled out a piece of paper and now her dog is a registered nutritionist. (link: http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/eatright/32209/)

A comparison: a toothologist may claim to know all the science, may have had some successes, and may have a passion for teeth...but I'm still going to a dentist.

Nutritionists...attack!

CarolinkaCjj

Myeh. I call the person I see a nutritionist but just checked, she is a Registered Dietitian.

SezxyStef

Agreed an in Canada to become a dietitian you have to do the following

There are two educational steps to becoming a registered dietitian - you must meet both academic and practical experience requirements.

Education

The first step is to earn a Bachelor’s degree in food and nutrition from a university program that has been accredited by Dietitians of Canada (DC). These programs include a range of subjects such as:
•basic science (chemistry, biochemistry, physiology, microbiology)
•social sciences and communications
•profession-related courses, such as food science lifecycle, disease specific, community nutrition and food service management

Your choice of undergraduate program will determine what route you take in order to become registered to practice.

16 univerities are accredited in Canada...usually one in each province.
To practice you must

Like other health professionals, dietitians must register with the provincial regulatory body in their province in order to practise.

The regulatory body will assess your academic and practicum experience to determine your eligibility. Once fully registered, dietitians can use the protected title Registered Dietitian (RD), which assures the public of their qualifications and competence.

Dieticans have access to Canadian Journal of Dietetic Research and Practice, Canadian Foundation for Dietetic Research and a virtual Research room.

3dogsrunning

Myeh. I call the person I see a nutritionist but just checked, she is a Registered Dietitian.

The issue isn't what you call them. The issue is when someone is looking for help/advice with their diet. It is important to know and understand the distinction.

I just pointed this out in another thread. It varies where you are. In Canada, the term "nutritionist" is also protected by law in a couple of provinces.

CarolinkaCjj

My bad - good point.

SezxyStef

Myeh. I call the person I see a nutritionist but just checked, she is a Registered Dietitian.

The issue isn't what you call them. The issue is when someone is looking for help/advice with their diet. It is important to know and understand the distinction.

I just pointed this out in another thread. It varies where you are. In Canada, the term "nutritionist" is also protected by law in a couple of provinces.

actually "In most provinces there are not regulatory standards to protect the title “Nutritionist.” In provinces where “Nutritionist” is a protected title it usually is “Dietitian-Nutritionist” that is protected by law. "

Most of the time in Canada nutritionist that got a certificate online are not protected....thank goodness

3dogsrunning

Myeh. I call the person I see a nutritionist but just checked, she is a Registered Dietitian.

The issue isn't what you call them. The issue is when someone is looking for help/advice with their diet. It is important to know and understand the distinction.

I just pointed this out in another thread. It varies where you are. In Canada, the term "nutritionist" is also protected by law in a couple of provinces.

actually "In most provinces there are not regulatory standards to protect the title “Nutritionist.” In provinces where “Nutritionist” is a protected title it usually is “Dietitian-Nutritionist” that is protected by law. "

Most of the time in Canada nutritionist that got a certificate online are not protected....thank goodness

By protected, I mean they are governed by a licensing board so not anyone can call themself that.
In Nova Scotia, for example, Nutritionist and Dietician are interchangable. They have the same requirements. You cannot call yourself a Nutritionist with an online certificate.
Which was my point about knowing the difference where you are.
In Alberta, "Registered Nutritionist" is protected. I didn't both to look up if they make a distinction for "Nutritionist".

SezxyStef

Myeh. I call the person I see a nutritionist but just checked, she is a Registered Dietitian.

The issue isn't what you call them. The issue is when someone is looking for help/advice with their diet. It is important to know and understand the distinction.

I just pointed this out in another thread. It varies where you are. In Canada, the term "nutritionist" is also protected by law in a couple of provinces.

actually "In most provinces there are not regulatory standards to protect the title “Nutritionist.” In provinces where “Nutritionist” is a protected title it usually is “Dietitian-Nutritionist” that is protected by law. "

Most of the time in Canada nutritionist that got a certificate online are not protected....thank goodness

By protected, I mean they are governed by a licensing board so not anyone can call themself that.
In Nova Scotia, for example, Nutritionist and Dietician are interchangable. They have the same requirements. You cannot call yourself a Nutritionist with an online certificate.
Which was my point about knowing the difference where you are.
In Alberta, "Registered Nutritionist" is protected. I didn't both to look up if they make a distinction for "Nutritionist".

Yes I believe in NB as well it is "Registered Nutritionist" that are protected but in Canada anyone can get a certificate that says they are a nutritionist like in the US...we have to be careful to ensure that they are a member of the governing body of our provinces. IE look for it on their wall as I believe they all have to display their certs from the government.