One of my friends approached me recently about his desire to lose weight. He was going to take diet pills to help shed some pounds. Instead of doing that, I suggested he talk to a nutrition expert, a registered dietitian (RD).

What is a registered dietitian and how are we different from other “nutrition experts”? Is that person at your gym a reliable resource? What about the person behind the counter at your local vitamin shop?

Who can claim to be a Registered Dietitian

A Registered Dietitian (RD) is someone who has completed all of the following:

1. Completed approved nutrition classes and has a bachelor’s degree in nutrition or a health related field
2. Completed a “supervised practice program” (i.e., internship) from a healthcare organization, community agency, foodservice corporation or accredited university (with a combined undergraduate or master’s program). These are usually 1/2-1 year in length. This is similar to an externship for nurses. These have to be accredited by the Commission for Accreditation of Dietetics Education.
3. Passed a “board” exam, like lawyers, doctors, and nurses must do (among other fields). Once you have passed the exam, you earn the title “Registered Dietitian.”
4. Complete continuing education credits to maintain registration. We have to have 75 credits every 5 years. These may include classes, reading journals and books, and going to conferences, to name a few.

So, those are the basics that need to be completed to become an RD. Many dietitians may have specialties and/or obtain further education (like a PhD) to practice in the field of nutrition. Some examples of specialties include: Certified Specialist in Pediatrics, Renal Nutrition (kidney disease), Nutrition Support, and Diabetes.

For example, I have a Master’s Degree in Nutrition, am a Registered Dietitian, am Licensed to practice in the state of Maryland (some states also require licensure to practice in that state; Maryland is one of them), and am a Certified Nutrition Support Dietitian. Wow!

Not only that, but an RD has a code of ethics that we need to follow. For example, it isn’t right to persuade you to try a fad diet because I might be trying it, but I need to give you good, solid nutrition advice that is backed by research. Does that make sense?

So what IS the difference between a dietitian and a nutritionist?

Any registered dietitian can also call themselves a nutritionist, but a nutritionist may not necessarily be a registered dietitian. It’s best to ask the person who gives you nutrition advice at the gym, at the vitamin shop, at the grocery store (anywhere really!) if they are a registered dietitian, because only RDs are the true nutrition and food experts.

A “Nutritional Consultant” is not the same as a registered dietitian and does not have the level of training that an RD has. I like to think of it this way: when you are having health problems/are sick, you wouldn’t ask your veterinarian for human medical advice, you’d go to your doctor, who is the expert in human medical matters and has the appropriate education and training. Therefore, when you are concerned about nutrition and food matters, go to the source, the expert, the RD! And when in doubt, ask for the person’s credentials and education!

If you are interested in meeting with a registered dietitian, feel free to contact me if you are in the Washington DC metro area, or see the American Dietetic Association’s website to locate an RD in your area. Thanks!!!