Balanced spread of food with pancakes, fruits, and nuts who created by a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist

Dietitian vs. Nutritionist: Which One Is Best for Your Food Freedom Journey?

ByOlivia

The internet is filled with “nutrition experts” these days…

This includes the actual experts (aka dietitians) as well as “nutritionists” or “health coaches”

When you decide to take that first step to heal your relationship with food, choosing the right provider can feel SO overwhelming.

You want someone you can relate to AND knows what they are talking about.

So, should you choose a dietitian or nutritionist to help you heal your relationship with food? I think you already know my answer, but let’s dive into the why and what to keep in mind while searching.

Dietitian vs Nutritionist: What’s the difference?

The terms dietitian and nutritionist tend to be used interchangeably, but they are VERY different.

To become a dietitian, you have to complete

  • All required undergraduate coursework
  • A master’s degree
  • 1200 hours of supervised practice including clinical, community, and food service management rotations
  • The CDR credentialing exam
  • Licensure requirements in the states you practice in
  • Continuing education credits every 5 years to ensure you are staying up to date on the latest changes in the field

If you see someone refer to themselves as a registered dietitian, RD, or RDN, you can be certain they have completed all these requirements.

To become a nutritionist, you have to:

  • Call yourself a nutritionist

That’s it…

“But wait wait wait… I know nutritionists that have completed some kind of training in nutrition”

There are many nutrition and health coaches online that have completed some kind of training in the field.

However, nutritionist is not a regulated term. There are no trainings that qualify people to call themselves a nutritionist. There is no board that would come after you for claiming to have a credential you didn’t earn.

You cannot assume that nutritionists are qualified to give nutrition advice, nor can you assume that their training is evidence based.

So all I need to do is find a dietitian?

As your searching for a nutrition expert to coach you through your food freedom journey, making sure they are a dietitian is the first step.

But there are other things you should also consider.

Think of “dietitian” as the first filter to start narrowing down your options.

Now that you’ve done that, your next step is to decide what type of dietitian to work with.

You wouldn’t go to a GI doctor if you are having heart issues. Just like doctors, dietitians have specialties too.

When you are looking to heal from an eating disorder or disordered eating, working with a dietitian who is eating disorder informed is extremely important.

Behaviors that may work for one population may be triggering or harmful to those struggling with their relationship with food. Being aware of these nuances is key for recovery,

Where to find this kind of dietitian?

When you are searching for a dietitian near you, use these terms in your search engine:

  • Food freedom
  • Eating disorder
  • Intuitive eating
  • Weight-inclusive

When you find a dietitian, read through their website and social media content to see if you align with their philosophy, approach, and overall vibe.

Some other things to consider

They don’t need to be physically in your state, but should be licensed in your state. For example, I live in Pennsylvania but can also practice as a dietitian in New Jersey, Florida, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Delaware, California, Colorado, Arizona, and Virginia.

Would you prefer in-person or virtual? Some dietitians offer one or both.

You also need to decide if you want to use insurance or are okay with self-pay. I am an out-of-network provider, but I offer sliding scale (reduced rates) and superbills you can submit to your insurance company for potential reimbursement.

What other questions do you have?

Now that you know which provider to look for when wanting to heal your relationship with food, what other questions do you have?

My inbox is always open to thoughts or questions on food freedom, eatings disorders, and nutrition in general! You can email me here: olivia@foodfreedomwithliv.com

If you are ready to take that next step together, you can work with me by filling out this inquiry form!