Whether you want to lose weight, lower your health-risks or manage a chronic condition, consult the experts! Registered dietitians can help you by providing evidence-based, easy-to-follow personalized nutrition advice.
Registered dietitians can either use RD or the title Registered dietitian nutritionist (or RDN). What's the difference between a registered dietitian and a nutritionist?
An RD must have a Bachelor's or Master's Degree. In the future they'll be required to have a Master's Degree. A nutritionist is not required to have a degree.
An RD must compete for and complete 1200 hours of a supervised internship with time spent on community health, food service, clinical and long term care rotations. A nutritionist does not complete an internship.
An RD must pass a national exam and in many states they must have licensure to practice. A nutritionist does not complete an exam.
An RD provides Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) in clinical settings. The CDC defines MNT:
"Involves in-depth individualized nutrition assessment.
Relies heavily on follow-up to provide repeated reinforcement to aid with behavior change.
Establishes goals, a care plan, and interventions.
Plans for follow-up over multiple visits to assist with behavioral and lifestyle changes relative to each individual’s nutrition problems and medical condition or disease(s)."
A nutritionist may not provide MNT.
An RD maintains competency by completing 75 continuing education credits every 5 years. There are no continuing education requirements for a nutritionist.
A registered dietitian must be credentialed by the Commission on Dietetic Registration. Anyone can call themselves a nutritionist.
This is not to discount all nutritionists! I went through a rigorous Master of Science in Nutrition with individuals who opted not to do the internship who are practicing as nutritionists. The key is to do your research and be certain a nutritionist has a good education and takes an evidence-based approach to care!
Ready to get started working with a nutrition professional? You may reach me at MaryJohnsonRD@gmail.com or 513-607-6659. I'm licensed in Ohio and Kentucky and can see individuals via Telehealth in WA, OR, CA, ID, UT, AZ, WY, CO, TX, OK, WI, IN, WV, VA, PA, NY, VT, NH, MA and CT.
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