Prairie Lakes Healthcare System we have a fabulous team of RDNs including Mallory P., Sara B., Becky S., and Megan B. pictured here.
We asked them the difference between a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) and a Nutritionist and here is what we found out:
A credential is a professional qualification — like MD for doctors or physicians — that lets the public know that the practitioner is a trained expert. In nutrition and dietetics, the credentials for trained experts is RDN. Usually when someone says “dietitian,” they mean an RDN. “Registered dietitian nutritionist” is a legally protected title. Only practitioners who have completed specific educational requirements, passed a national exam and continue learning through ongoing education can use these titles and credentials.
However, there is no specific, standardized meaning for “nutritionist.” Anyone can call themselves a nutritionist, and unfortunately, unqualified healthcare recommendations can cause people harm. So whether someone calls themselves “dietitian” or “nutritionist,” check for credentials to ensure they are qualified nutrition experts.
Did you know that we have an "Ask a Dietitian" feature within our Health & Wellness Blog? If you'd like to submit a question that will be answered by one of our Registered Dietitian Nutritionists, click the link below.