Who Should You Trust for Nutrition Advice

You might hear "dietitian" and "nutritionist" used interchangeably, but they can be entirely different roles with different backgrounds. And those differences are not always clear. In a national consumer survey, more than one in four adults said they believed dietitians and nutritionists are the same.

Every registered dietitian is a nutritionist, but not every nutritionist is a registered dietitian.

Here's what you need to know...

Registered dietitian nutritionists, or RDNs, are credentialed food and nutrition experts. To become an RDN, a person must complete an accredited nutrition and dietetics program and supervised practice requirements, earn a graduate degree, then pass a national exam. RDNs also complete required continuing education throughout their careers.

One of the easiest ways to identify a qualified nutrition professional is to look for "RDN" or "RD" after their name. The two credentials are equivalent and require the same education and training. They also show that the individual has met national standards established by the Commission on Dietetic Registration, the credentialing arm of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Much like seeing MD after a physician’s name or CPA after an accountant’s, RD and RDN tell you the person has earned a recognized, protected professional credential.

Many states also regulate the practice of dietetics. Only individuals who meet specific professional requirements can use the RDN credential.

What about the title "nutritionist"? That title alone may not tell you what education or training someone has completed. Requirements vary by state and by the type of credential a person may hold. That's why it is important to look beyond the title and check a person’s qualifications.

Some RDNs also earn specialty credentials in areas such as sports nutrition, pediatrics, oncology, kidney disease, and healthy aging. These credentials require additional professional experience, and an exam focused on that specialty.

RDNs work in many places. You'll find them in hospitals and clinics, private practices, schools, public health programs, sports organizations, universities, government, research, and food companies and retailers. RDNs have the education and expertise to help you navigate nutrition information and make choices that fit your needs.

Here are just a few ways an RDN can help:

• Manage chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, and obesity.
• Create a personalized nutrition plan that considers your health needs, goals, and cultural preferences.
• Improve your overall health and help reduce the risk of some chronic diseases.
• Better understand how your food choices and eating habits may affect your health.

Know Who Is Giving You Nutrition Advice

Nutrition information is everywhere, but not every source has the same training behind it. The survey also found that 56% of adults rely on their own research for nutrition information, while 25% turn to social media. Only 12% said they rely on an RDN or RD.

That makes it even more important to know who is behind the advice you are following. Before making changes based on nutrition information, take a moment to check who is providing it and what qualifications they have.

If you see RDN or RD after someone's name, those letters are a quick way to identify a credentialed nutrition expert.

Looking for personalized nutrition guidance? Visit the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics' Find a Nutrition Expert tool to find an RDN by location, specialty, language, insurance or payment options.