There are many professions focused on diet and nutrition, including registered dietitians and registered nutritionists. This can make choosing the right professional confusing and whilst the roles may sound similar, they differ in important ways.
Here we explain the difference between the roles and functions of registered dietitians and registered nutritionists and highlight voluntarily registered or unregistered roles in this area.
What are the differences between registered dietitians and registered nutritionists?
Registered dietitians and registered nutritionists are different roles, and each have different professional standards, education requirements, regulatory requirements, roles and settings where they work.
They do also share some similarities. We've highlighted each of these roles in more detail.
Registered Dietitian (RD)
How are dietitians regulated?
Dietitians are the only nutrition profession with statutory (legal) regulation, meaning the title dietitian is protected by law.
To use the title of ‘Dietitian’ it is a legal requirement to be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
What level of education do dietitians have?
They need to have completed an undergraduate or postgraduate dietetic degree or dietetic degree apprenticeship which has been accredited by the HCPC and BDA and includes 1,000 hours of on-the-job training.
Many will also gain additional qualifications in specialist areas e.g. public health, sport and exercise, research and teaching.
What is the role of a dietitian?
They are qualified health professionals who assess, diagnose and treat dietary and nutritional problems at an individual and wider public health level. They work with both healthy and sick people.
How do dietitians use evidence?
Dietitians are evidence-based. They use the most up-to-date public health and scientific research on food, health and disease, which they translate into practical guidance to enable people to make appropriate lifestyle and food choices.
Where do dietitians work?
Some of the common areas dietitians may work in include:
- Health services (e.g., NHS or HSC)
- Private practice
- Public health
- Freelance
- Media
- Industry
- Food services
- Catering
- Education
- Sports
Registered Nutritionists (RNutr)
How are nutritionists regulated?
Only registrants on the UK Voluntary Register of Nutritionists (UKVRN) should call themselves a Registered Nutritionist (RNutr).
What level of education do registered nutritionists have?
They need to have completed an undergraduate or postgraduate degree in nutrition science, accredited by the Association for Nutrition (AfN), and there is no compulsory on-the-job training. However, three or more years of experience after graduation, evidenced by a portfolio is required.
What is the role of a registered nutritionist?
They provide support and guidance about the impact of food and nutrition on the health and wellbeing of humans or animals.
How do registered nutritionists use evidence?
Registered nutritionists are evidence-based - they use the most up-to-date scientific research on food and health.
Where do registered nutritionists work?
Some of the common areas registered nutritionists may work in include:
- Public health and nutrition science within the health service and academia
- Private practice
- Freelance
- Media
- Industry
- Food services
- Catering
- Education
- Sports
What about nutritional therapists?
You may also come across practitioners using the title ‘Nutritional Therapist’.
Nutritional therapist is not a statutory (legal) regulated title. Similarly to nutritionists, they can choose to join a voluntary register held by the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC) and can call themselves a ‘registered nutritional therapist’.
Nutritional therapists recommend diet and lifestyle advice to alleviate or prevent ailments, which can include dietary changes, supplements, herbal medicines and acupuncture.
The interventions they provide may be based on complementary medicine, which is not recognised in conventional medicine and for which there is little robust scientific evidence. This could mean that the advice and support you receive is not based on evidence.
Visit British Association for Nutrition and Lifestyle Medicine for more information.
What about other nutrition roles?
Other roles or titles which aren’t included above include:
- Nutritionist
- Diet expert
- Nutrition expert
- Nutrition consultant
While these titles may look like those outlined above, the important element to note is they are not legally or voluntary regulated, do not hold registration and cannot use ‘registered’ in front of their title.
Without regulation, anyone could use one of these titles, even if they have little to no education or training. This lack of regulation means that there is no real protection for the public or consumers and the accuracy, appropriateness and standard of the information, guidance and care provided cannot be guaranteed.
It is also important to note that membership of a professional association is not the same as being ‘registered’ with a regulatory body. A professional body supports the practitioner whilst the regulatory (or regulatory body) is established to ensure public safety.
Keeping you safe
You should think carefully about the nutrition and diet professional you require for your needs, based on their role and where they work.
We would always recommend that an individual seeks a ‘registered’ professional. You can check the registration status of the roles highlighted above here:
- Registered dietitians: check the HCPC online register.
- Registered nutritionists: check the AfN website.
If you are ever unsure, you should ask who you are considering taking advice from about their background and qualifications and satisfy yourself that they are appropriately qualified and regulated.
Alternatively, you can discuss with your doctor, nurse or registered allied health professional.