Start researching nutrition experts and you’ll quickly find yourself in an alphabet jumble. Some have R.D. or RDN after their name. Others go by CNS. Some have no letters at all. All of these different terms and qualifications can make it confusing (and frustrating) to find the right nutrition expert for your needs, whether it’s losing weight or managing a health condition. Here to help: This guide to the key differences between dietitian vs. nutritionist, what kinds of health conditions each can help with, and how to know which is right for you.
What does a dietitian do?
A dietitian has gone through extensive training for their credentials, and can have either R.D. (registered dietitian) or RDN (registered dietitian nutritionist) after their name. Which one a dietitian wants to use comes down to preference. For the sake of this article, we’ll use R.D. but everything is true for RDNs as well. They must:
- Hold at least a bachelor's degree in nutrition or a related field from an accredited university (and in 2024, they will need to have a master's degree)
- Complete a 1,200-hour dietetic internship program
- Pass a national examination administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR)
- Complete 75 hours of continuing education units every five years to keep up with any new developments in nutrition
Because of how intensive the training is, registered dietitians are able to provide something called medical nutrition therapy (MNT). This means they can advise you on how to change your diet to impact a chronic health condition, such as heart disease or high cholesterol. They can also help you in the short-term, like advising on the proper nutrition to recover from surgery like a gallbladder removal, as well as long-term, such as offering behavioral and nutritional therapy for those who have eating disorders. Dietitians can also give more general guidance on how to change your diet to improve energy, manage your weight, or increase your nutrient intake.
Dietitians cannot prescribe medication, including weight-loss medication. If you are trying to lose weight, a dietitian can — and should — work alongside your healthcare team to determine what treatment path might be right for you. “If you are taking weight-loss medications, your nutrition is very important and should be managed by someone with understanding of the issues at play,” says Harlivleen “Livleen” Gill, RDN, president of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Conditions dietitians treat
The kind of foods you eat can have a big impact on your health, so dietitians are trained to help you change your diet to manage specific health conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, and obesity. For instance, if you have type 2 diabetes, a dietitian can create a personalized nutrition plan that will help you better control your blood sugar. If you are living with obesity, they can help you take a careful look at the foods you’re eating and your lifestyle habits and come up with a realistic plan that will help you lose weight slowly and consistently.
What does a nutritionist do?
The term nutritionist isn’t regulated. That means someone going by that title may not have any training at all. That said, some nutritionists, like those with CNS after their name, have quite a bit more training — and they can provide general health and dietary advice, as well as support and accountability for your weight and health goals. For instance, if you are vegan or have food restrictions for other reasons (allergies, religious observances), a nutritionist may be able to help ensure you’re getting the right nutrients.
Conditions nutritionists treat
Because nutritionists are not able to provide MNT, they are not qualified to manage any specific health conditions. If you’re looking to lose a small amount of weight, a nutritionist may be able to provide general nutrition advice and promote healthy eating habits, whereas if you have the chronic condition of obesity, you may benefit from seeing an R.D. who can provide medical nutrition therapy tailored to your condition(s).
Key differences between dietitians and nutritionists
The main difference between dietitians and nutritionists comes down to specifics in their training and education. The requirements to be an R.D. ensure that the dietitian has a deep knowledge of the science and the best approaches.
On the other hand, there are no requirements for someone to use the title nutritionist — the training could be as little as reading some books about macronutrients or taking an online course on how food can boost athletic performance. “Weekend certification courses and inaccurate information on social media can cause so much confusion,” says Caroline Susie, R.D., a Dallas-based spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. So not only might you be getting advice from someone who really doesn’t have much training, but the advice you’re getting could be full of misinformation. This is where you have to do a bit of digging.
If you feel like medical nutrition therapy is right for you, or want to see a registered dietitian, you can look one up on the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics search tool. This way, you can ensure you are getting someone with the qualifications you are seeking. If you do go with a nutritionist, look for them to be a certified nutrition specialist, or CNS (find one via the American Nutrition Association’s search tool). It means they likely have an advanced degree and completed 1,000 supervised internship hours, says Susie. They still can’t practice MNT, but they can provide evidence-based nutrition advice, individualized dietary recommendations, and counseling to address various health concerns and optimize well-being. Without those credentials, you just don’t know what you’re getting. “You want someone who has the additional training needed to ensure they are a true expert,” says Gill.
Dietitian vs. nutritionist cost
The cost for dietitians and nutritionists can range widely, based on where you live and what kind of treatment you’re seeking. Dietitians with more experience and training tend to charge more, while nutritionists can charge more or less, depending on the clientele they are treating and where they are located.
Cost with insurance
Most visits with an R.D. can be covered by your insurance. For instance, if you’re managing a chronic condition like diabetes or kidney disease, Medicare and most private health insurance plans cover R.D. services, says Gill. In those cases, you would likely only need to pay your copay, which may range from $10 to $50. And even if you don’t have a chronic health condition, some insurance plans also include wellness services — like nutrition counseling — as they are considered preventive services, but you should check with your plan. As for nutritionists, most plans likely don’t cover visits with them since the term isn’t regulatedand yo u will likely have to pay out of pocket.
Cost without insurance
There can be a wide range of costs, but generally speaking, most sessions with an R.D. or nutritionist can run from $50 to more than $150 without insurance. It really depends on factors like where you live and the experience of the expert.
Should you see a dietitian or a nutritionist?
If you’re looking for general guidance and are generally healthy, a nutritionist may fit the bill. But if you want someone with the most clinical training who can provide personalized medical nutrition therapy, finding an R.D. or RDN is your best bet, says Susie. They can carefully look at your diet and handle health-specific issues or problems using evidence-based solutions. Many R.D.s have also completed specialization training in certain health conditions, so you can find someone who is uniquely suited to your needs. For instance, there are specialty credentials in areas of gerontological nutrition (CSG), sports dietetics (CSSD), pediatric nutrition (CSP), renal nutrition (CSR) and oncology nutrition (CSO). Interested in seeing a dietitian? All WeightWatchers members now have access to registered dietitians who can give personalized nutrition support, and these virtual visits may be covered by insurance.
The bottom line
Dietitians and nutritionists sound like they do the same thing, but there’s a big difference in how much training and education they have. Anyone can use the term nutritionist, but to be a dietitian and use the letters R.D. or RDN after your name, you need to have a college degree, complete an internship, and pass a licensing exam. As a result, dietitians are qualified to help manage health conditions like diabetes and obesity while nutritionists are not. This also means appointments with dietitians are more likely to be covered by insurance than those with nutritionists.
Registered dietitian vs. nutritionist FAQs
You can lose weight with either since both can help counsel you about better eating plans and lifestyle changes. But you may want to go with a dietitian over a nutritionist, since they have gone through more education and training and can work closely with your healthcare team.
Because dietitians are highly trained and have gone through many hours of practical learning, seeing one can help you improve your health. But to make sure you’re getting the most out of your meetings, you need to be open and honest about what you’re willing to change and incorporate the dietitian’s recommendations into your life as much as possible.
No, neither a dietitian nor a nutritionist can prescribe any medication, including weight-loss medications. That said, if you do start weight-loss medications, you should work closely with a dietitian to ensure you’re still getting all the nutrients you need with a reduced appetite.
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be regarded as a substitute for guidance from your healthcare provider.