Dietitian vs. Nutritionist. What’s the difference?

All dietitians are nutritionists but not all nutritionists are dietitians. Huh? Wait what? Often, the titles Dietitian and Nutritionist are used interchangeably. Although they have similarities, there are some large differentiators.  Let’s break them down and set the record straight on who to trust for all things food, nutrition, and diet.

 Nutritionist

Definition: A person who studies food and nutrition.

Only Criteria: a pulse; a passion for nutrition and wellness

Translation: There are a lot of gym bros or ladies with 6 pack abs that will convince you to alter your diet and lifestyle. They often have very rigid food and nutrition opinions and may have a certificate from a class. It is important to keep in mind that by law they do not have to have any formal training, schooling, or education. 

Dietitian 

Definition: A food and nutrition expert who has met the Commission on Dietetics Registration (CDR) criteria to earn the RD (registered dietitian) credential.

Criteria 1: Completion of a minimum of a bachelor’s degree granted by a US accredited institution (a master’s degree will be required by 2024). 

Translation: A 4-year degree and soon-to-be master’s degree from an institution that provides course work and testing that is approved by the Accreditation Council of Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND).

Criteria 2: Completion of accredited didactic coursework in dietetics through one of the following: didactic program in dietetics, Coordinated Program, or Future Education Model Graduation Program.

Translation: If you don’t want to get an undergraduate degree in nutrition, there is still required coursework that must be completed along with a degree. 

Criteria 3: Completion of a minimum of 1000 hours of supervised practice through an ACEND accredited Dietetic Internship.

Translation: Internships are typically unpaid, full-time, and span from super aggressive completion rate of 6 months to a slower pace of 2 years. Many universities and hospital systems do not offer an accredited internship, requiring you to move cities or states to complete this requirement.  The match rate to one of these programs is now at 60%. 

Criteria 4: Submission for registration examination for dietitians’ eligibility.

Translation: During the Internship there are specific requirements that you must meet throughout such as projects, research, presentations, and course work that must be submitted to ACEND for approval.

Criteria 5: Successfully pass the registration exam (it is multiple choice and computer adaptive).

Translation: Once the internship is completed and you are approved by ACEND, you can begin studying to take the RD Exam! The pass rate averaged around 70% on the first attempt the past 5 years

Criteria 6: 75 continuing education credits in 5 years to maintain credentialing.

Translation: Specific continuing education credits are required in order to maintain the RD credential.

Although it seems I am trashing nutritionists, and praising dietitians (I am biased!), I am telling you this so that the next time you read or hear something on the internet, in the news, or in a magazine you will first consider the source or look for the RD credential. I am sure there are some great nutritionists that are very knowledgeable and there are some terrible dietitians who lack empathy and ethics. Just like there are terrible doctors and lawyers, you must find someone who is qualified who you are able to connect and relate to.

As you see, the requirements and road to becoming a dietitian are rigorous. Dietitians learn so much more than just calories, macros, and how to make you lose weight. The skills required to become an impactful dietitian are unattainable without the training, schooling, and education.  Everything from clinical research, ethics, food service, management, leadership, cultural competency, product development, public health, business development, and nutrition therapy, simply cannot be covered in an online certificate. 

Sources Used:

https://www.cdrnet.org/certifications/registered-dietitian-rd-certification

http://www.allaccessdietetics.com/dietetic-internship-match-rate/