What is the difference between a Dietitian and a Nutritionist?

In clinic, we often get asked what the differences between the two are. In this article we wanted to guide you through the key differences so that you can make an informed decision in knowing who can best support you.

-What are Dietitians?-

Registered Dietitians (RD) are the only nutrition professionals with a protected title regulated by law. In the UK their regulatory body is the Health & Care Profession Council (HCPC) and only those registered can call themselves a dietitian. RDs are required to keep up-to-date through compulsory Continuing Professional Development (CPD). You can check here if your dietitian is registered.

Dietitians can work in a variety of settings including the NHS, private practice, research, industry, education and media. RDs can provide guidance to both healthy and sick individuals to help them make appropriate food and lifestyle choices to achieve their nutritional needs and support their overall health. Most dietitians that work to treat complex conditions such as eating disorders or IBS rarely work solo, and instead they work collaboratively with a range of healthcare professionals such as psychologists, GPs, nurses, occupational therapists etc.

The minimum requirement to become a registered dietitian in the UK, is to have completed a BSc (Hons) in Dietetics, or otherwise a science degree with a postgraduate diploma or masters in Dietetics.

Degrees in Dietetics encompass biochemistry, physiology, applied science and research methods as well as, behavioural and social sciences. All courses include a placement period of supervised practice in NHS settings before being eligible to register. All courses must be approved by the HCPC to ensure that graduates meet the Standards of Proficiency for Dietetics.

-What are Nutritionists?-

Registered Nutritionists (ANutr or RNutr) are regulated by the UK Voluntary Register of Nutritionists (UKVRN) which is governed by a professional body known as the Association for Nutrition (AfN). 

Although, anyone can call themselves a nutritionist, only those registered are assured to have met the AfN’s strict standards and competences underpinning evidence-based nutrition knowledge and professional skills. All AfN registrants are required to keep up-to-date through compulsory Continuing Professional Development (CPD). A Nutritionist that is not registered may not have the knowledge and skills required to provide safe care. You can check here if your nutritionist is registered.

Registered Nutritionists are qualified to deliver evidence-based guidance around the impact of nutrition and food on health and wellbeing and like dietitians they also work in a variety of settings including academia, commercial sectors, health services, NGOs, sports and media. Individuals with medical conditions could seek support from a registered nutritionist always ensuring that he/she works as part of a multidisciplinary team i.e. alongside GPs, psychologists, occupational therapists etc.

The minimum requirement to become a registered nutritionist in the UK, is to have completed a BSc (Hons) or MSc in Nutrition or other relevant nutrition science degree like Sports Nutrition. Graduates from AfN accredited courses have direct entry onto the UKVRN.

Nutritionists that have graduated from an accredited course within the last 3 years and have registered with the AfN are assigned the title Registered Associate Nutritionists (ANutr) whereas Registered Nutritionists (RNutr) are those with a minimum of 3 years of relevant professional experience.

It is important to highlight that RDs are the only nutrition professionals allowed to work individually with sick or hospitalised patients. A Registered Nutritionist must be supervised by an experienced dietitian to provide medical nutrition therapy. If you choose to work with a nutritionist to help you with a medical condition make sure that they are registered with the AfN and that they are supervised by an experienced clinician.

It is important to note that there are a lot of Nutritionists and Dieticians in the UK, but we cannot emphasise enough the importance of seeing a specialist ED RD/RN if you have an eating disorder. Here at The London Centre, we have both Registered Dieticians and Registered Nutritionists who are all specialists within the field of eating disorders and will recommend the right treatment pathway for your individual needs. 

If you wish to book an appointment, please click here.