Dietitian vs. nutritionist: Which is best for you?

Dietitian vs. nutritionist similarities and differences

Although dietitians and nutritionists work in the same basic field, there are some fairly substantial differences between the two.

Similarities

There are a few similarities between dietitians and nutritionists:

• They help with patient nutrition: The main similarity between dietitians and nutritionists is that they both work in a similar field — they both deal with nutrition and the foods you eat. Either one can develop a meal plan, provide counseling on eating and nutrition habits and help patients develop healthier lifestyles.
• They work in similar environments: Both work in private practices, hospitals, schools and clinics. It should be noted that while not all nutritionists can work in hospitals, a specialized type of nutritionist called a certified nutrition specialist, or CNS, can.

Differences

Despite the handful of similarities, there are some substantial differences between registered dietitians and nutritionists. These include:

• Licensing and training: Most (though not all) states require some sort of licensing or certification to practice as a dietitian. In many states, nutritionists are unregulated, meaning that anyone can claim to be one, regardless of their training or background.

  In states where licensing is required, the credentials for the two professions are different. Dietitians need to meet the following criteria to be licensed:

  • Complete an approved master’s degree program
  • Complete a dietetics program approved by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND)
  • Complete an ACEND-approved dietetic internship
  • Maintain required continuing education

  In states where nutritionists need to be certified, there are a few different certification boards they can go through, including the Board for Certification of Nutrition Specialists (BCNS) and the Clinical Nutrition Certification Board (CNCB). Here are the requirements for the BCNS:

  • Completing a graduate-level degree
  • Earning a certain number of credits in relevant areas, such as nutrition and biochemistry
  • Completing a certain number of hours working under an approved supervisor
  • Passing an exam
• Specialization: Dietitians tend to be more specialized than nutritionists. Dietetics is a highly regulated field, and trained dietitians are known as registered dietitians (RDs) or registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs). They are qualified to treat medical conditions and may focus on specific areas such as eating disorders or diabetic nutrition.

Nutritionists generally can’t provide medical treatment — in other words, they can't diagnose or treat health conditions in most states. They can, however, offer advice and counseling on things like proper nutrition, healthy eating and meal planning.

Dietitian vs. nutritionist pros and cons

When it comes to choosing between working with a dietitian versus a nutritionist, the main considerations for most people will be cost and accessibility. Because dietitians are health care professionals, insurance may cover the cost of care.

If your insurance will cover seeing a dietitian, that makes the choice fairly easy. That said, if your insurance won’t cover the visit, the out-of-pocket cost can be higher, and it may be harder to get an appointment. In that case, visiting a nutritionist is typically cheaper.

Dietitian vs. nutritionist cost and insurance coverage

Costs are determined by several factors, so it’s hard to make sweeping statements about whether a dietitian or nutritionist might cost more. Generally, though, dietitians are more likely to be covered by insurance, largely because most states don’t allow nutritionists to treat health conditions.

• Dietitian: Without insurance, you can expect to pay between $100 to $200 for your first visit with an RD and $50 to $150 for a follow-up appointment.
• Nutritionist: Depending on certifications and experience, a visit to a nutritionist tends to cost about $70 to $140 per visit.

Dietitian vs. nutritionist approaches to client care

There can be significant differences in the approach to client care between a dietitian and a nutritionist. Most of these are likely to come down to the differences in training and qualifications — dietitians are medical professionals, while nutritionists aren’t.

As such, a dietitian may be more likely to take a more “clinical” approach to treatment. Nutritionists, particularly those who practice a more “holistic” style of care, may take a more organic or free-flowing approach.

Neither is necessarily better than the other — it really just depends on the individual and what they need. For example, someone looking to lose a few pounds or improve general health and well-being would likely be a good candidate for a more holistic approach, whereas someone who needs to adopt a specialized diet due to a medical condition would likely need a more clinical approach.

Additionally, while we’ve done our best to outline in broad strokes the different approaches to client care between a dietitian and a nutritionist, it’s important to remember that there is no set-in-stone rule that a dietitian or nutritionist has to follow any given approach to treatment.

Dietician vs. nutritionist specializations

Dietitians can specialize in several areas. When they do, they’ll typically have titles in addition to RD. Some of the possible specialties include:

• Sports nutrition: Board-certified specialist in sports dietetics (CSSD). These dietitians focus on nutrition for athletes, police, military and other active individuals. They may work with teams or individuals.
• Geriatric nutrition: Board-certified specialist in gerontological nutrition (CSG). A CSG works with older adults to help maintain health and address age-related nutritional concerns.
• Diabetes nutrition: Certified diabetes care and education specialist (CDCES). Works with diabetic patients to help manage their nutritional challenges and treat the disease of diabetes.
• Eating disorders: Certified eating disorders registered dietitian (CEDRD). Specializes in the unique nutritional needs of patients with eating disorders.
• Oncology nutrition: Board-certified specialist in oncology nutrition (CSO). Focuses on helping meet the nutritional needs of patients being treated for cancer.
• Weight management: Board-certified specialist in obesity and weight management (CSOWM). Specializes in the treatment of obesity. May take a more holistic approach, with a focus on education and long-term behavioral changes.

Nutritionists, on the other hand, aren’t as likely to have a specialty. If they do, it’s not likely to be certified in the same way. Nutritionists tend to focus more on improving well-being through healthy eating.

Seeing someone with training and experience in a specific area can be important and lead to more effective treatment and better outcomes. In some of these cases, such as diabetes or eating disorder management, it can be lifesaving.

Bottom line

The primary difference between a dietitian and a nutritionist is training and licensing. Dietitians tend to have more requirements to earn their credentials. On the other hand, in many states, nutritionists have no regulations. Only dietitians and certified nutrition specialists can diagnose and treat medical conditions.

Another difference is that dietitians tend to be more specialized. A dietitian may focus on oncology, diabetes care, or eating disorder nutrition, for example. Nutritionists tend to be more generalized in their approach.

Ultimately, the main way to choose between seeing a dietitian or a nutritionist is to consider how specialized your care needs to be. The more specific your nutritional needs, the more likely you are to benefit from seeing a registered dietitian. Your insurance is also more likely to cover an RD or a CNS, so that is another consideration.