Food is one of the basic pillars for our survival, and one of the most relevant aspects in the maintenance of our health. It also forms part of our cultural identity, and influences our image and self-concept. However, although eating is a pleasure, a large part of the population does so in a way that does not meet their needs. That is why the figure of a nutritionist or dietician is necessary.

Both professionals are often confused or even integrated into the same profession (it is not uncommon to hear about a dietitian-nutritionist), but the truth is that they are not the same type of professional nor do they necessarily do the same things. In this article we will look at the main differences between a nutritionist and a dietician.

Nutritionist and dietitian: what are we talking about?

To understand the differences between nutritionists and dieticians we must first know how each of the terms is defined, as well as the purpose of each of these professions.

Nutritionist

In the case of the profession of nutritionist (sometimes also called dietitian-nutritionist), we are dealing with professionals who have studied a degree or diploma in Nutrition and Dietetics at university level (or have specialized within medicine in that branch).

Nutritionists are trained in such a way that they are experts in nutrition (i.e. not in eating but in the nutrients and elements obtained from it and how they affect the body) and in dietary guidelines focused on the needs of the patient, regardless of whether the patient is healthy or otherwise suffering from some kind of disorder or disease.

The use of their services is recommended for those who suffer from some type of medical illness (for example diabetes) or psychiatric illness (in the case of bulimia or anorexia nervosa).

Dietician

As far as the dietician is concerned, is a professional focused on the process of eating as such: the act of eating . Their main function is the establishment of adequate dietary and activity guidelines, generally applicable to the majority of the population according to aspects such as weight, height and what their objectives are. However, their training mainly enables them to serve people without serious health problems. Their training is more limited, generally based on advanced courses and modules in Dietetics that tend to last between several months and two years.

Similarities between both groups

As we can see, both have very tangible similarities: both nutritionists and dieticians work to promote and maintain health through intake and nutrition management. In both cases, specialized prior preparation is also required.

In both cases it is also possible that in addition to the direct contact with the customer, they are involved in research, advice in the field of education and marketing. The similarities are quite marked: in fact, often instead of differentiating them we speak of the dietitian-nutritionist (although his training would be that of the aforementioned nutritionist), but this does not imply that there are not also differences.

Main differences

Although with the definition of both terms it is possible to perceive a large part of the differences that exist between nutritionists and dieticians, it is useful to make them explicit. Thus, we can find that the main differences between both fields are the following.

1. Level of training

One of the most notable differences between nutritionists and dieticians is the level of training required to achieve this qualification. In Spain, the nutritionist must have completed university studies in the form of a degree or diploma in Nutrition and Dietetics or have specialized in that branch during the studies of Medicine. As regards dieticians, their training tends to be of shorter duration, with FP modules in Dietetics qualifying them as technicians in this field.

2. Type of user

As we have seen, people who go to a dietician are usually people who are in good health or who do not have diseases that require modification of eating patterns. T he usual objective of this type of user is to lose weight or keep in shape , although they may also participate in marketing and educational advice or take part in multidisciplinary research.

On the contrary, nutritionists tend to be required not only by people with a normative level of health but also by those who present pathologies or altered states to be taken into account. For example, people with heart problems, pregnancies, diabetes, psychiatric problems or chronic drug consumption that can cause severe alterations if combined with certain foods should turn to a nutritionist. They may be part of the national health system.

3. Attachment to the General Health System

Although they may perform similar functions in some cases, only one of the branches is considered to be part of the National Health System . In Spain, this is the figure of the nutritionist, whose training is more specialized and allows him/her to deal with advice and intervention in cases of pathology.

Territorial differences in the consideration of both professions

However, being one or the other also depends, among other things, on the country in which we are and the legal regulations they have regarding the regulation of these professions. The terms may not be the same or even reversed.

This is what happens for example in the United States or the United Kingdom: a nutritionist would correspond to what in Spain we would call a dietician and vice versa. In these countries the law protects the figure of the dietician (or dietitian-nutritionist), who has to be registered with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and can form part of the health system. Nutritionists are not required to be registered and are given less consideration, but voluntary registration associations have been formed.

But these are not the only countries where these differences exist. For example, in countries like Mexico there is a difference between a nutritionist (which would be equivalent to the Spanish dietician in terms of training and skills) and a nutritionist (corresponding to our nutritionist, with a higher level of training and specialization).

Bibliographic references:

  • Marcason, W. (2015). Dietitian, Dietician or Nutritionist? From The Academy. Question of the Month. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.