What is the difference between what dietitians do and what nutritionists do?
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I got a degree in human nutrition and foods. So what the fuck is it even valuable for? (A lot of bitterness because of this) Wast of time going to college to find out anybody can be called a nutritionist but if you get a degree in nutrition you are still called a nutritionist. wtf Please somebody explain to me that I didn’t waste time getting this degree ugh
There is no such things as an official “nutritionist”. It’s a made up position that requires no education, training or expertise. Much like naturopath.
Registered Dietitian here! I got a Bachelor’s degree in Nutrition with an emphasis in Dietetics, completed a supervised internship from an accredited program, and passed a national exam. I went on to get a Master’s degree which will be required for all dietitians in 2024.
Nutritionists do not do any of that.
Not saying that nutritionists cannot be helpful. But there is a lot of misinformation out there and mostly spread by non credentialed folks. Also, in many states, only a dietitian can provide medical nutrition therapy. So basically, if you have cancer or a chronic condition like diabetes and you’re seeking nutritional guidance, only an RD can help you, not a nutritionist.
I would like to add that in a medical setting Dietitians are in charge of writing tube feeding orders and TPN orders (IV nutrition for when the gut cannot be used). To work in any medical setting you must be an RD).
source: am a dietitian who works in a hospital
Bunch of dopes in here. It depends on the state. Some states do protect the ‘nutritionist’ title, others do not. They almost all protect the ‘dietitian’ title, because it’s older and more established (and practices a very traditional view of nutrition). With that said, Certified Nutrition Specialists have to obtain a master’s degree and complete over 1000 hours of supervised clinical hours, while dietitians just need a bachelor’s. You asked what they *do* however, and they mostly *do* the same things.
Dietitians have qualifications and are certified. They have to stay in the field else they will lose their certification.
Nutritionists are anyone who gives advice.
As a former cancer patient I just want to say that the dietician on my medical team played an equal part in keeping me alive as anyone else. Thank you Cheryl! Every cancer treatment team should include a dietician.
🤯 I ever knew that Chiropractors are not a based on real science, until I followed the comments in this thread 🤯🫢
As the younger folks say “ I was TODAY years old, when I found out….”
The former is a protected term, meaning only a person with the correct credentials can call them selves one.
The latter is not a protected term, meaning you can call your self one.
The key difference besides the licensure of RD that everyone else has mentioned is that Dietitians are legally allowed to provide medical nutrition therapy, which essentially consists of nutritional prescriptions for chronic/acute conditions while a nutritionist can only provide much more broad advice and would need to defer to an RD for something like that
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