What is the difference between a dietitian and nutritionist?

[@NutritionByKylie]

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!

[@jenniferbates2811]

Thank you! My daughter has been in culinary school, and she's going to become a dietitian. She has ADHD and celiac, and she really wants to help others who struggle as well.

[@balbaldoodoo]

A degree in theoretical physics vs a theoretical degree in physics

[@bryangrunauer]

That's cool to know! Here in Brazil what you call a dietitian we call a "nutricionista", and as far as I know we don't have a term for people without formal training. Thanks for the info!

[@Honeystarzzz]

I am a nutritionist! And in Malaysia, both Nutritionist and Dietitians are protective term (as protected under the Healthcare professionals law). Nutritionist in Malaysia is also licensed to practice (but shamefully, there are lots of instances where anyone and everyone can just call themselves nutritionist) So my takeaway is to just be myself, in a sea of misinformation i hope maybe my small voice can make a diffrence

[@Brianna58321]

Thanks for the info! It’s nice to be more informed

[@kiwifruitkl]

My alma mater university had a program called "medical dietetics", and students would be there to pursue a bachelor's degree in medical dietetics so they could work as registered dieticians.

[@beccalife275]

I appreciate this. I feel like there are so many nutritionists online who don’t give good advice but seem legit because they call themselves a nutritionist

[@Emily_Cate_]

I also tell people that registered dieticians work in hospitals feeding NICU babies and ICU patients, in nursing homes, in ED programs, in schools, etc. Truly the unsung heroes of the medical field!

[@Vixin24]

My sister is a dietitian and is always talking about this. She hates all the nutritionists out there who are unqualified and always giving unsubstantiated advice to people.

[@mariabou7178]

As a dietician in Europe thank you so much for clarifying this! Noone seems to understand the difference a whole degree makes lol

[@DolphinGirl826]

Another good example of this type of difference is “life coach” vs “counselor/therapist”

[@sevenandthelittlestmew]

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.

[@_san_flower_]

Hi! In Spain it is totally different, both are protective terms and both are essential for working with patients. However, dietitians have their degree by studying a two year professional grade, but you need to go to university four years to become a nutritionist. So, in my case, I am a nutritionist and tecnically also a dietitian (the actual term is dietitian-nutritionist or DN).

[@Sasu123456789x1]

People really need to know the difference and I'm so glad you addressed this! 👏🏾

[@kiarar.1219]

In the Dominican Republic we have “nutricionistas” and “nutriólogos”.

[@itskema5975]

That's a big difference and thanks for letting us know.

[@EmelyPhan]

It's the same with people calling themselves interior designers vs. interior decorators. The general outline to become an interior designer is similar to a dietitian. Like studying at an accredited school, working in the industry while under supervision, and doing a board exam.

[@lin90210]

when my dad was going through some renal issues he became anemic and underweight. he had a dietitian, consultant doctor and renal specialist nurse help him and the dietitian gave us a list to follow and it worked so well :)

[@camille1392]

It is fun because in France a nutritionist is a doctor with the nutrition as a specialty and dietician is only 2 years post graduation