When you’re looking to make changes to live a healthier lifestyle, working with a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) can be very effective. RDNs provide expertise, guidance, and accountability, which are very important when implementing new healthy habits and lifestyle changes. When looking for a nutrition professional to work with, it’s important to be informed about what types of nutrition certifications are out there, what they mean, and how to determine if the professional you are working with is knowledgeable and qualified.
A Registered Dietitian Nutritionist is someone who completed a four year degree in nutrition or related health sciences, completed a Dietetic Internship which provides rigorous training in many areas of nutrition practice, and passed a comprehensive RDN exam. Most Registered Dietitian Nutritionists have also done a masters in nutrition or a related field, and have areas of specialization or expertise. The credential of “Registered Dietitian Nutritionist” is a legally protected term, which means only someone who successfully completed all the requirements of education and training can be considered a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. Someone who obtains this level of certification is qualified to work in many areas, including hospitals, clinics, and can offer private counseling, and can accept health insurance.
On the other hand, “Nutritionist” is not a legally protected term. Almost anyone can call themselves a nutritionist. A nutritionist can be someone who took a basic online course in nutrition, someone who studied nutrition in college but didn't take the RDN (Registered Dietitian Nutritionist) exam, or someone who is completely self taught. A Certified Nutritionist is someone who took a short course (six months to one year) in Nutrition and passed a certification exam. There are many trustworthy and qualified nutritionists out there, however they have not gone through the rigorous training and certifications that Registered Dietitian Nutritionists have. Therefore, it is important to be sure, before working with a nutritionist, that their credentials are valid and that they are qualified to be offering you advice about your health and nutrition.
When looking to make positive changes to live a healthier lifestyle, working with a professional is very important. Registered Dietitian Nutritionists work with you to give you guidance and support in making significant lifestyle changes. However, you want to make sure that whichever nutrition professional you choose to work with, that they are qualified and knowledgeable to be offering you advice about your diet and health. If your goals and concerns are more specific, you may find that the expertise of a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist is most effective.