Registered Dietitian vs. Nutritionist

 

Registered Dietitians (RDs) are trained food and nutrition experts. RDs are regulated health professionals who can provide advice and education on nutrition, food and healthy eating. Registered Dietitians help to translate the latest evidence-based research into practical solutions to help you establish life-long healthy eating habits. 

Registered Dietitians are required to complete:

  • An accredited 4-year Bachelor's Degree in Food and Nutrition

  • An accredited dietetic internship or equivalent supervised practical training (min. 1250 hours)

  • The Canadian Dietetic Registration Examination

In order to maintain their registration with the College of Dietitians of Ontario, RDs are required to participate in quality assurance programs to ensure continuing competency. Registered Dietitians are required to follow the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 and are accountable to the College of Dietitians of Ontario to provide safe, competent and ethical practice.

 

The term Nutritionist is not a legally protected title in Ontario. In essence, anyone can legally call themselves a nutritionist (in Ontario) regardless of their level of training or education - qualified or unqualified.  

 

What about titles like Registered Holistic Nutritionist, Holistic Nutritional Consultant, RONP, RNCP, ROHP, RHN, or CNP? 
These titles are not the same as Registered Dietitian and do not indicate the person is a provincially regulated health professional. They are often used by those who have completed privately owned training programs that vary in length and rigour. 

 

To ensure you are receiving quality nutrition care from your Nutrition Professional, you can check the Register of Dietitians here or search for a dietitian in your area here. 

 

 

A final note

This is not to say all nutritionists are poorly trained and don’t know what they’re talking about and can’t help you. I know a fair number of wonderfully trained, intelligent and helpful individuals that are great nutritionists and nutrition coaches. It is up to you to do your due diligence to ensure whoever you choose to work with is:

  1. A good fit for you

  2. Competent

For medical nutrition therapy - nutrition advice and counselling for a medically diagnosed condition - I highly recommend working with a registered dietitian with expertise in that area.

References 

Is there a difference between a Dietitian and a Nutritionist? Dietitians of Canada. March 8, 2018

www.dietitians.ca/thedifference