What is the difference between a dietitian and nutritionist? #shorts

Sorry this is a little more boring and info-heavy! Just wanted to clarify the differences between dietitians and nutritionists since I get this question very often!

As I’ve mentioned, someone who is a dietitian is legally required to have certain degrees, complete an intensive internship, and stay up-to-date on nutrition research whereas a nutritionist is not. Though technically anyone can call themselves a nutritionist, this doesn’t mean that all nutritionists will lack relevant education and training! This just means that 1) it’s important to look into a nutritionist’s educational background and experience before choosing to work with them and 2) it may be best to choose a dietitian if you’re hoping for specific nutrition guidance regarding a certain health condition

Lastly, one of the reasons I always mention my credentials is because I want to make it immediately clear to any viewer that I did receive a the required amount of education/training! Also, I’m proud of my credentials given how difficult the journey was to obtain them (perhaps I’ll make a separate long video on this lol)

I was wondering why all of these online fitness coaches don’t call themselves dietitians…

What about CNS? They also need a Master’s degree, 1000 clinical hours, & need to pass the board exam…

Depending on the state, the title nutritionist is a protected, separate title and you need a master's and a 1000-hour internship to sit for the board exam. Just google Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS).

👏👏👏👏👏👏

I wish we could all agree on a term in English speaking countries.
My country nutritionists are the ones with an accredited BSc, take tests, and do the continuing education.

Definitely need to know your stuff when giving professional advice. Love that you make free content for us to learn some important things from someone who knows what works for many people ❤

Requirements to have a masters are ridiculous

They do though. Not anyone can call themselves a nutritionist or a health coach/practitioner. You can be licensed or certified in both. Yes the state does not "protect" if certified. You can be board certified which is preferred. You can be specialized as well. Nutritionists and coaches cannot diagnose or treat, but we can run lab tests, explain lab tests to the client and guide them and give them the proper protocols to follow that suits best. Not discrediting RDs but there are a lot of coaches and nutritionists that have helped a lot of people overcome health issues. If anything, they need to prove themselves more if they care about what they do.

How would you call a medical doctor (6y med school) + 1 year studying a Clinical Nutrition and Bariatric management ? Dietitian or Nutritionist?

Looking for a dietitian and have no idea where to start.

I'm doing MBBS what to do ma'am

I appreciate this bc I want to be one 😭. Why would one need to take the national Board exam tho? I thought that was just for teachers?

I live in uk. The police arrested mum last night for drink driving. I ate fish and chips and went to the pub

I had no clue! Thank you for the explanation!! Education does matter ❤

no wonder i had sucha pointless and awful time with a nutritionist i was referred to by my doctor. she just gave me a bunch of print outs and all the signage in the room told me the place pushed gastro surgery HARD. I'll be asking for a referral to a dietitian next time.

I feel like for healthy people you can probably see either and get some generic advice on eating healthier. But if you have actual medical conditions where you could die from messing up your diet you better know the difference.

Truth. Some peeps out there with a paper certificate from Bob's Online College of Knowledge and pretending they've seen a thing or two. Sheesh Mageesh. 😮

The clinic my mom went to for her autoimmune disease wanted her to see their "nutritionist" and I happen to be with her for that appointment…it was honestly embarrassing how little this man knew about anything! Never again!

Great info to have! Thank you!!!

This is similar to the UK. I don't know what the requirements are, but "dietician" is the legally protected term whereas "nutritionist" is the broad term.

I really appreciate this information and don’t think everyone realizes the amount of schooling that goes into being a dietitian.

omg you have to get an MA now ???

I’d assume it was the opposite because of the way the words sound 🤨

Thanks for your annoying rant

I found that out the hard way! A good friend of mine paid for my classes to be a certified Nutritionist through the International Sports Science Association. I finished and received my certification but im not allowed to provide Nutrition advice for specific conditions, and can't make personalized mealplans for clients, just give suggestions. I was really bummed out cause i wanted to make personalized mealplans for type 1 and 2 diabetes and people with hypertension.

I'm studying nutrition diploma atm but I'm hoping meal plans and such will help me build an online job to go back to school to become a dietitian. It could take me up to ten years because I need to restudy my science.
As a nutritionist I can help with meal plans with requested ideas but I can't treat celiac or anything of the sort but that's why I want to go to school again

Dietitian is protected the same way in the UK

How do you FIND dieticians to work with though?

YES!!!!!!! THANK YOU!!!! I get so tired of telling people this!!!!!❤❤❤❤❤

In my country, dietitian has to complete medical science foundation, attend the bachelor of health science in dietetics.

THANK YOUUUUUU!!!!!

Can you work in the US with a nutrition and dietetics degree from another country (Philippines)

🤯 wow and the word dietician comes with a negative connotation which sucks

In Argentina a nutritionist? Is a professional that has a degree, and as far as I know there's no term for non professional people.

Thank you for the clarification. I just stated with a registered dietician. Now I know what that means!

Im supposed to see a nutritionist tmrw at the recommendation of my doctor but this made me realize she may not be completely qualified to give me good advice 😱😱 esp since i j googled her n shes j a FNP ? I dont see anything abt nutrition on her education or etc

I'm glad to know this. I was referred to a nutritionist for some GI problems. Instead of an appointment, she mailed me a stack of printed out websites on weight loss. Now I understand what the issue was.

This is a deceptive video.

Nutritionists a lot of the time are pretty educated and can be individuals with masters, PhD’s, Naturopathic Doctors, and so on.

In most places, dietitians must adhere to governmental regulations and guidelines for nutrition advice.. which isn’t sound and hasn’t been sound for a long time.

Not a good look for one profession to devalue one profession to elevate their own.

Anyone can call themselves a nutritionist

In Italy they are two distinct degrees, where the one to become a nutritionist is a a degree in biology with a specialization in nutrition science ✌🏻

I had surgery for a spindle cell cancer last fall, and the tumor was in my stomach, so the surgeon had to take about 15% of my stomach in order to get all the margins around the tumor. Long story short, I had VERY specific dietary restrictions for the first couple months, and I just want to say thank you to my unsung hero, The Dietician. She had all the information I needed to make the process of moving from liquid foods to soft foods to solid foods easy and healthy, and she was also able to ease my fears regarding food after my diagnosis and surgery. You guys are under-appreciated in so many ways, and your job is seriously misinterpreted because of these woo woo “nutritionalists” on social media. Anyway, thanks for doing what you do.