A dietitian is an expert in food and nutrition
Dietitians give dietary advice that helps promote healthy eating habits and develop specific diets for people to prevent nutrition related problems. Dietitians provide safe advice that is based on current scientific research.
They work in many different arenas – hospitals, research, industry, the media, government, teaching and lecturing and consulting as private practitioners.
Dietitians provide safe advice that is based on current scientific research
In the UK, Dietitians are regulated by the British Dietetic Association and must meet strict educational and professional standards and pass a national exam before they can be registered. Only Dietitians registered with the Health Professions Council (HPC) can use the legally protected title ‘Dietitian’. Dietitians are the only nutrition professionals to be regulated by law and are governed by a code of ethics, this ensures that dietitians always work to the highest standard.
Nutritionists are not regulated. Some have very little education in nutrition and some may be well qualified. Since the term “nutritionist” isn’t regulated, anyone can call themselves a nutritionist and dispense nutritional information without having any education whatsoever…be careful who you take advice from.