The scientific community and health care providers have identified links between overall health and the way you eat. Both dietitians and nutritionists can help you choose the best foods based on your individual health criteria. Additionally, both dietitians and nutritionists can help you prevent, cure or alleviate symptoms based on health conditions. Differences between these professions vary by country. Typically, however, nutritionists spend more time researching and dietitians spend more time working directly with patients.
Dietitian
A dietitian studies food and nutrition to promote health. A dietitian has extensive training in the role of macronutrients and micronutrients in health and disease. Dietitians take the science of nutrition to guide people toward making good food choices. To be a registered dietitian requires training in a hospital or other medical setting. Typically, a dietitian works at hospitals or other medical facilities, schools, research facilities, in the food industry or on a freelance basis. Generally, a dietitian must meet certain educational and practical standards in order to get a credential to practice.
Nutritionist
Nutrition science focuses on the metabolic and physiological responses of the body to the foods ingested. Therefore, a nutritionist's primary concern is how diet affects health and well-being. Generally, nutritionists don't have the stringent licensing and educational requirements of dietitians. Therefore, a nutritionist's work is typically less public-health oriented and more research-oriented. Much of a nutritionist's experience comes from practice, however, and in many cases the actual work of a nutritionist is very similar to that of a dietitian.
Differences
By definition, a dietitian is a professional who promotes health through adequate nutritional habits. On the other hand, nutritionists are health specialists who study food and nutritional science in order to deal with diseases related to nutrient deficiencies. Nutritionists also guide nutrient utilization towards an enhancement of the clinical response to the diet. In legal terms, a dietitian is considered an expert on nutrition, while the nutritionist isn't. A dietitian, in most countries, requires a bachelor's degree, an internship, the successful completion of a licensing exam and continuing education credits. Nutritionists may or may not have formal education.
Choosing
In many cases, either a dietitian or a nutritionist can help you improve your overall health through diet. When choosing between these professionals, ask for credentials, educational background and experience to help you select the right professional for you and your specific medical needs. After your evaluation with a dietitian or nutritionist, it is important to pay attention to the diet recommendations and follow the plan laid out by the professional dietitian or nutritionist intervention.
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