Dietitian Vs Nutritionist: What is the difference?

Many times clients are confused what the difference is between dietitian and nutritionist. So I am going to try my best and explain the differences below.

What is a dietitian? 

In Canada, a dietitian is a licensed medical professional who is registered under a governing/ regulatory body. In order to be registered and practice as a dietitian or be calling themselves a "dietitian", the individual has to complete an internship and pass a licensing exam. These are the requirements to ensure that the dietitian is providing nutrition care/ services that meets the standards of Canadian dietetic practice. 

Dietitians are medically trained and use medical nutrition therapy to create nutrition care plans. Medical nutrition therapy includes consideration of the client's medical history, bloodwork, medical imaging, medications and their lifestyle habits. Dietitians are typically part of a medical team and work with various health clinicians: physicians, nurses, pharmacists, counsellors, etc. You may find dietitians working in various like hospitals, clinics, long term care facilities, grocery stores and etc.

How is a dietitian different from a nutritionist? 

Unlike dietitians, nutritionists may not have completed a clinical practicum during their training nor do they need to complete a registrant exam. Therefore their training may not be standardized and it is unclear whether or not there is a requirement to meet a certain competency level for their nutrition knowledge. 

Nutritionists may use an integrative or functional approach in their methods. This may include alternative therapies and spiritual health components that the medical system do not have guidelines for. In some scenarios, these approaches may complement existing medical treatment. However, due to the type of training Canadian physicians and other registered health professionals go through, most will not have guidelines for how to include these alternative therapies with the Canadian medical system. 

Another key difference is that nutritionists do not use medical nutrition therapy in their approaches, so they are not found working in the medical system or health authorities. Meaning, recommendations provided by nutritionists may not necessary complement a physicians treatment plan. This may be one of the reasons why most extended health insurance benefits cover dietitians but not nutritionists. 

So when determining whether or not you wish to work with a dietitian or nutritionist, here are some considerations to factor in. Do you want nutrition recommendations to be based on medical nutrition therapy vs alternative and complementary approaches? Which service does your extended health cover...a dietitian vs nutritionist? Would you want your health care team to be utilizing same guidelines, languages and approaches or are you okay with them providing care to you separately?