Do you know the difference between a registered dietitian and a nutritionist? Chances are, unless you ARE one of either, you do not. But as a professional, you really should, especially if you decide you want the HELP from one!
I like to describe it this way: First, anyone can call themselves a ‘nutritionist’. It really has no meaning. Granted, people who call themselves nutritionists often claim that they focus on the physiology of nutrition where a registered dietitian just focuses on food or providing patients meals in a hospital.
Well, that makes me laugh, because before you can even QUALIFY to become an RD, one of the requirements is at least a bachelor’s degree. So, would it even be possible that if someone were to get a bachelor’s degree in nutrition that the physiology of nutrition would NOT be covered? Quite often, in fact, a person who calls themselves a nutritionist may not have ANY education beyond a certification. A certification can come from any type of program, from an online course to something more intense. But a certification cannot be accepted at face value without researching what is required. However, saying you have a certification as a nutritionist would be like a physical therapist or a nurse or even a doctor practicing with just a certification, but people don’t really think in those terms, because we all eat!
So, I like to say that a registered dietitian is a nutritionist with the education and experience to help people learn how to apply information to their own lives. The difference, then, is further education.
This does not go to say that if a person did get their degree in nutrition and chose to NOT go the extra mile to become an RD isn’t as qualified! The difference between the two is the RD has much more experience, due to the 1,200 hours of practical internship, than the person who didn’t take it to the next level. And, if a person chose to teach, they would be just as qualified with their PhD in nutrition as the RD. This may also be the case if the person chooses to be involved in research.
So, when you read information about nutrition, ask yourself what qualifies that person to write. If you watch someone who calls themselves a ‘nutritionist’ on TV, ask yourself what really is the background of this person. Don’t take it at face value when someone tells you not to eat fruit for dessert or avoid all soy products. Do your research and find out just what the knowledge and education level is of that person who says such things. Just as you would do your research if you were looking for a surgeon, you should also do your research when listening to people telling you what to put into your body.
Jeff Bland says that we are a generation of human gineau pigs; we believe everything we say without questioning it. I feel that’s the case when someone tells me, “OH, I heard the lady on TV say we shouldn’t drink milk because it will kill us!”
Sigh. And the next experiment is on!
Margie
