Seeing the different titles of food and nutrition practitioners can be confusing.

As a dietitian, I am often asked this question: ‘What’s the difference between a dietitian and a nutritionist?

In short - all dietitians are nutritionists, but not all nutritionists are dietitians. The difference lies mainly in the training requirement and scope of practice.

Nutritionists and Registered Nutritionists

In Australia, New Zealand and America, nutritionists are not legally regulated, which means that anyone who has done any level of nutrition training can claim themselves as a nutritionist or ‘xxx nutritionist.’

A group of food and nutrition-focused health professionals, scientists, and educators founded the Nutrition Society of Australia (NSA). NSA registrations include Registered Nutritionist (RNutr), Registered Public Health Nutritionist (RPHNutr), and Registered Animal Nutritionist (RAnNutr). To be qualified, one needs to provide evidence for required study path. All members of NSA need to practice within the NSA code of ethics.

Dietitians Australia and Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD)

In Australia, ‘Dietitian’ refers to someone qualified by law to obtain the Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD) credential. The Dietitians Australia (DA), formally known as the Dietitian Association of Australia (DAA) regulates the credential.

To obtain and maintain the credential, APDs have completed 4-5 years of accredited dietetic degrees, completed 800 hours of hospital and healthcare placement, completed a 12-month mentorship program, practised within DA’s Professional Standards & Code of Conduct, and committed to annual continuous professional development.

Dietitians’ skills and knowledge are outlined in the National Competency Standards for Dietitians to maintain high-level and evidence-based nutrition care for the public.

What do nutritionists and dietitians do differently?

Nutritionists are trained to educate and work in the sectors that promote the government’s nutrition and dietary guidelines, while dietitians can do additional work in individual dietary prescriptions, providing medical nutrition therapy.

What nutritionists can do:

• public health nutrition promotion

• health promotion program

• population-based nutrition education

• involve in nutrition research and teaching

What dietitians can do:

• what nutritionists can do +

• provide individual dietary advice and meal prescription

• perform medical nutrition therapy for acute and chronic diseases

• work in hospitals, aged care, and other healthcare settings

• Medicare and Private health insurance-rebated service

• guide nutrition guidelines and policy-making

Besides the most well-known individual nutrition treatment, dietitians work in public health, policymaking, food service management, corporate nutrition, the food industry, corporate nutrition, product formulation, and research.

Then what about clinical nutritionists, medical nutritionists, university-qualified nutritionists, nutrition coaches, and lifestyle coaches?

Unfortunately, these titles are not backed by regulation or qualification. However, some dietitians may use these titles to increase public reach. The best way to ensure your health and safety in nutrition services is to check practitioners’ qualifications and accreditations.