Many people assume that a dietician and a nutritionist are the same; it could be true in terms of responsibilities. They both are responsible for providing guidance and helping people maintain good health; however, the difference lies in the legal restrictions that each title carries.
Dietician VS Nutritionist
Nutritionist
Generally, a nutritionist is a qualified expert in food and nutrition; they help others by advising them on how to live a healthy lifestyle by proposing a diet plan. However, it is not permissible for them to advise and guide someone regarding eating disorders and diets for medical conditions because their career is largely unregulated; and due to their unregulated career, these services are not provided or offered by NHS or any medical centre.
A nutritionist may work as a:
- Health and wellness coach,
- Nutrition expert or nutritional specialist,
- Infant nutritional expert,
- Sports Nutrition,
- Nutritional Therapist
Dietician
Like nutrition, a dietician also promotes a healthy lifestyle and eating habits but they have more diversity and role to play in their work. They can address medical disorders and illnesses and may also work at commercial organisations such as care homes or private medical care facilities.
Additionally, they are regulated and governed by the law and must be registered with The Health & Care Professional Council (HCPC) before they start working.
They have prominent job roles in the following fields:
- Chemistry
- Biology
- Physiology
- Foodservice System Management
If you are considering becoming one, the most popular dietetics and nutrition courses you can pursue in the UK are mentioned below:
- BSc Nutrition and Dietetics
- BSc Clinical Nutrition
- BSc Food Science and Nutrition
- Dietetics and Nutrition
- Human Nutrition and Lifestyle Interventions
- MSc Nutritional Sciences
- MSc Clinical Nutrition
Difference between a Nutritionist and a Dietician
You may have heard the word nutrition and dietician use interchangeably but, in several aspects, they are different career paths.
If you are wondering to transform your love for food and health into a full-blown career then you must know the distinction between these two; we have mentioned some of the important ones below:
1. Their Domain Area
A nutrition treats healthy people while promoting health and a balanced lifestyle. They do not and are not allowed to treat people suffering from chronic diseases or illnesses; rather they advise and guide healthy individuals to improve their food intake and improve their lifestyle.
On the contrary, a dietician is regulated by the law and can treat people with chronic diseases and illnesses via medical nutrition therapy. For instance, for someone with diabetes, high blood pressure or cholesterol, a dietician can devise a meal plan and helps them manage their lifestyle and health condition.
2. Regulated/Unregulated Titles
In some parts of the world, the term dietician is heavily regulated including in the UK; in order to become one, the person must register themselves under a relevant body and meet specific requirements. Therefore, to call yourself a dietician, you must pass an exam and hold a license before officially starting to practise as a dietician.
On the other hand, a nutritionist is not regulated by the law and anyone can call themselves a nutritionist. However, this may make it difficult to differentiate between the two qualifications; therefore, some countries have introduced the term – registered nutritionist – if you have a recognised degree, you can register with the nutritionist associations.
3. Education
There are many different levels of education such as a Master of Public Health with a concentration or Master’s in nutrition. However, regarding the number of years of education depends on the title you choose to obtain including certified nutritionist (CN) and certified nutrition specialist (CNS).
Eligibility criteria for a certified nutrition specialist include:
- A doctoral degree in nutrition or a related discipline
- At least 35 hours of coursework in the field of personalised nutrition
- Around 1000 hours of supervised practice experience
On the other hand, a dietician is required to earn a bachelor’s degree in any program accredited by Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and British Diabetic Association (BDA). A degree program in dietetics may take around four years to complete providing in-depth knowledge and comprehensive knowledge of human nutrition, food science, physiology, biochemistry and clinical nutrition.
After completing your degrees and practical experience in different settings, one must register with Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) to legally work as a dietician in the UK.
4. Work Setting
Although both dieticians and nutritionists share closely similar roles, they vastly work in different environmental settings.
While a dietician work in medical settings like clinics and hospitals; they work with different patients and conduct assessments on them, prescribing and developing dietary plans for them to make dietary changes to treat their diseases.
On the contrary, nutritionists often work in commercial settings like wellness and fitness centres. In doing so, they devise dietary plans and formulate meal plans for individuals. They also work in health food restaurants, in-house cafeterias in large corporations, and developing healthy menus. Furthermore, nutritionists also aid in educating the general public on the importance of a healthy diet and lifestyle by working with governmental agencies.
5. Salary
All things considered, there is a salary difference in both professions due to their scope in the market, qualifications and demand in the market.
However, different factors are involved in salary differences, which may include;
- Location
- Work setting
- Work experience
- Employer and the organisation
Generally, according to NHS, a dietician with greater experience may earn approximately 24,000 to 50,000 yearly. While a nutritionist may earn around 24,000 to 40,000 depending on the job role and experience level.
Simply put, all dieticians are nutritionists but not all nutritionists are dieticians; if you are looking for medical guidance regarding a specific illness or disease, a dietician may be the right fit for you. They are allowed to prescribe dietary plans and specific guidance you need.
On the other hand, if you want general guidance on retaining a healthy lifestyle and well-being, you may consult a nutritionist.
If you landed here, maybe at this point, you know what differentiates one profession from another and which one should you choose determining your condition.
