What is a Registered Dietician Nutritionist and how are they different from "nutritionists"?

Answer 1

Registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs), also called registered dietitians (RDs), and nutrition professionals with advanced degrees (M.S., Ph.D.) are experts. These professionals are probably in the best position to answer a person's nutrition questions. On the other hand, a "nutritionist" may be an expert or a quack, depending on which state the person practices in. Some states require people who use this title to meet strict standards. In other states, a "nutritionist" may be any individual who claims a career connection with the nutrition field. There is no accepted national definition for the term nutritionist. Other purveyors of nutrition information may also lack credentials. A health-food store owner may be in the nutrition business simply because it is a lucrative market. The owner may have a background in business or sales and no education in nutrition at all. Such a person is not qualified to provide nutrition information to customers. For accurate nutrition information, seek out a trained professional with a college education in nutrition—an expert in the field of dietetics. All registered dietitians are nutritionists, but not all nutritionists are registered dietitians. Some state licensing boards set specific qualifications for holding the title. For states that regulate this title, the definition varies from state to state. To obtain some "nutritionist" credentials requires little more than a payment.