Difference between a Registered Dietitian and a Nutritionist...

When people need to seek a dietitian is often confused about the difference between a dietitian and a nutritionist but it cannot be used interchangeably.

Registered Dietitian

A dietitian has to finish a Bachelor’s degree in Nutrition and Dietetics or Graduate degree with the internship to be qualified.  Registered Dietitians have met specific academic and experiential requirements set forth by each country’s Dietetic Association Board universally. The credential RD (Registered Dietitian) is legally protected and a nationally recognized title and it can only be used by those whose are authorized by the particular country’s Dietetic Association.

Nutritionist

 The term nutritionist is not regulated properly in most of the countries. A person with a graduation degree in nutrition can be called as a nutritionist. However, this title is used by various people including those without any nutritional education possibly only a personal interest in nutrition and or either holding a certificate course or a diploma course in nutrition but not definitely completed a dietetic internship or passed the dietetic board examination. So anyone can call themselves as a nutritionist even without any pertinent education or training in the field of nutrition. The nutrition degree holders may have a wealth of knowledge but still have not met the requirements for the Registered Dietitian (RD) credential. So it is necessary to ask those referring themselves as nutritionists about their specific education and training.

Highlights of registered Dietitians

A registered dietitian can be called as a nutritionist but a nutritionist cannot be called as a registered dietitian.

Registered dietitians are a reliable source of nutritional science information and capable to concoct diet plans. Registered dietitians are the nutrition experts and their unique combination of acquiring formal education, completing the required internship experience, passing the registration examination and maintaining continuing education requirements and amassing hands-on skills in the field allows them to help people achieve their nutrition and wellness goals. RDs merge the art and the science of human nutrition to help people meet their specific goals and needs to allow them to enjoy long, healthy, happy lives.