Nutritionists vs. Dietitians: How Are They Different?

A balanced diet can help you lower your risk of chronic disease. It can improve many areas of your health, including your mood, energy, and weight. 

But if you have certain health goals or a medical condition, you may need help figuring out the right foods to eat. That’s where getting personalized nutrition advice from specialists like nutritionists and registered dietitians can help. 

Let’s take a closer look at what exactly these professionals do, and how they can help you reach your goals. We’ll help you understand the difference between nutritionists and dietitians, and how to know which type of expert you may need.

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What do nutrition professionals do?

There are many different types of professionals in the nutrition field. But they all work toward helping you improve your health and well-being through diet. They may help you choose foods that support your health goals or any conditions you may have. They can give you advice about food preparation and help you build habits that promote better health.

Registered dietitians and other nutrition professionals may work in similar settings, such as:

• Hospitals

• Schools

• Medical offices

• Long-term care centers

• Food manufacturing

• Corporations and private businesses

• Government offices

• Public health organizations

What’s the difference between a nutritionist and a registered dietitian?

A nutritionist is anyone who is an expert on the subject of nutrition, or how people nourish themselves. They may provide educational programs or counseling in nutrition or meal planning services.

A registered dietitian is a type of nutritionist who has specialized training in food and nutrition. The field of dietetics is highly regulated, meaning there are strict guidelines that professionals have to meet. These professionals are referred to as “registered dietitians,” or RDs for short.

A dietitian may also go by “registered dietitian nutritionist” or RDN. 

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In short, nutritionists include any professional that helps people eat healthy. Registered dietitians are nutritionists with specific specialized training. All registered dietitians are nutritionists, but not all nutritionists are registered dietitians. 

Registered dietitian training

Training to become a dietitian is usually a longer and more intensive process than the training of other nutritionists.

Requirements for registered dietitians include:

• Holding a master’s degree from an accredited dietetics program, which includes courses such as biochemistry and food science

• Completing 1,000 hours of supervised practice in a hospital, clinic, or other work setting

• Passing the Registration Examination for Registered Dietitians

• Meeting licensing requirements of your state

• Accumulating the necessary continuing education credits to maintain your RD license

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Registered dietitians also provide medical nutrition therapy (MNT), which other nutrition professionals cannot do. This type of treatment is individualized and may involve:

• Planning meals

• Prescribing supplements

• Providing specialized feeding (IV or tube feeding)

Other nutritionist training

Someone calling themselves a “nutritionist” may or may not be certified or licensed. Anyone with a background in nutrition can call themselves a nutritionist. Because there’s no universal requirement for nutritionists to be licensed or certified, they typically cannot legally diagnose or treat health conditions.

That said, guidelines around practicing nutrition vary by state. Some states may require nutritionists to obtain certification from certain organizations. While the official title varies, below are some examples:

Certified nutrition specialist

Board for certification of nutrition specialists (BCNS) requirements include:

• Holding a graduate-level degree

• Having a certain number of credits in nutrition, biochemistry, anatomy and physiology, clinical or life sciences, and behavioral science

• Having 1,000 hours of experience under a BCNS-approved supervisor

• Passing the BCNS exam

• Recertifying by earning 75 continuing education credits every 5 years

Certified clinical nutritionist

Clinical nutrition certification board (CNCB) requirements include:

• Meeting the coursework criteria

• Submitting an application and college transcripts to have your degree approved by the organization

• Completing postgraduate studies in clinical nutrition 

• Passing the online exam to become a certified clinical nutritionist

Dietitian and nutritionist cost

The costs of seeing a registered dietitian or other nutritionist varies depending on many factors, such as: 

• Industry: Professionals who work in private practice will likely set their own rates. They may charge more than those who work for other companies. 

• Location: Where you live will also affect the cost of seeing a nutritionist. Nutrition services in states with a higher cost of living or larger demand for nutritionists are likely to be more expensive.

• Professional experience: Registered dietitians and other nutritionists who are well known and have more experience may charge more.

• Type of visit: Telehealth consultations may be less expensive than in-person visits.

• Insurance: Not all nutrition services are covered by insurance, and not all nutrition professionals accept insurance. If you have insurance that covers a visit to a nutritionist, the cost will probably be less than paying out of pocket.

That said, an initial visit to an RD or other nutritionists can cost around $100 to $250 (or more) without insurance. Follow-up visits can cost anywhere from $50 to $150. 

If your insurance covers the cost of seeing a registered dietitian or other nutritionist, you might be responsible for 10% to 20% of the total visit cost (through a copay or coinsurance). So if the nutrition professional charges $200 for an initial visit and you have a 20% copay, you would have to pay $40 out of pocket.

Do you need a nutritionist?

The short answer is, it depends. Here are some questions to help you choose:

• What are your health goals? For goals like raising energy levels, sleeping better, or managing your weight, you can consider working with a nutritionist who is not an RD. If you need specialized nutrition guidance around a health condition, working with a registered dietitian may be a better option. 

• What is your current health and medical history? If you’re generally healthy, you may be able to work with a nutritionist who is not an RD. If you have health issues or are taking multiple medications, you may be better off working with a registered dietitian.

• How long do you think you’ll need to see a nutrition professional? If you think you only need a few visits, you can consider any nutritionist that meets your budget. If you think you’ll need ongoing support around nutrition, working with a nutritionist that takes insurance can help you save money. Or you can look for one that offers a package of consultations at a discounted rate.  

• Do you have health insurance coverage? If you’re relying on professionals who take insurance, registered dietitians may be your best bet. Most insurance plans cover nutrition counseling or therapy for people with chronic health conditions. For example, if you have diabetes or kidney disease or have had a kidney transplant in the last 3 years, nutrition services may be covered under Medicare Part B. Adults with a higher risk of chronic disease can get preventive diet counseling covered through most insurance plans. 

• Are you paying out of pocket? If you can pay out of pocket, you may have more options regarding the types of nutrition professionals to choose from. You can use a flexible spending account (FSA), health savings account (HSA), or health reimbursement arrangement (HRA) to see a registered dietitian. To use these benefits, you may need to provide a letter showing that you have a medical need for nutrition services. 

How to choose a nutrition professional

Here are six tips to help you find a professional that best fits your needs:

1. Check credentials. You’ll want to make sure the nutrition professional you plan on working with is licensed to work in their field. For registered dietitians, you can use the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics credential verification tool to see if their license is active. For other types of nutritionists, you can check their website or LinkedIn profile to find out where they received their credential. You can call the organization to verify their status. Sometimes, state websites will also have a way of checking the status of licensed professionals.  

2. Make sure their specialty is aligned with your goals. If you have a specific reason for working with a nutritionist, look for a nutrition professional who has helped people achieve this goal.

3. Look at what other people are saying. Even though each person’s experience can vary, looking at reviews can be a helpful way to vet nutritionists. If you don’t see any reviews, check their personal website. They may have testimonials from past clients. You can even consider asking the nutritionist if a past client is willing to share their experience with you.

4. Be on the lookout for potential red flags. Many nutritionists are on social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok. You can take a look at what they’re promoting. If you spot someone making claims that sound too good to be true or go against general recommendations, that may be a sign to steer clear. 

5. Double-check whether they take insurance. To avoid surprises, it’s best to call ahead and find out whether the nutritionist fits your budget. This means checking that they accept your insurance. If not, ask about using HSA or FSA dollars or about any discounts. 

6. Ask for a consultation. Some nutritionists and registered dietitians will offer a first consultation for free. These may be shorter, like 15 minutes or so. This is an important way for both you and the nutrition professional to decide whether you’re a good fit for each other. Consider your goals, your comfort level, and how you would like them to support you. 

What other professions are there in the nutrition field?

There are many other types of professionals in the nutrition field. Some examples include:

• Holistic nutritionists: A holistic nutritionist helps people improve their nutrition through food, supplements, and lifestyle changes.

• Health coaches: A health coach empowers people to identify, set, and achieve health and well-being goals. 

• Corporate wellness consultant: A corporate wellness consultant works with companies to offer nutrition, fitness, and well-being programs for employees.

• Functional nutritionist: A functional nutritionist identifies and addresses the causes of health problems by looking at all body systems, diet, sleep, and other lifestyle habits.

These professions aren’t as regulated as the dietetics and clinical nutrition fields. So education and training requirements can vary greatly. Requirements may include completing a certificate program and passing a certification exam.  

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Written by:

Samvida Patel, MNSP, INHC

Samvida Patel, MNSP, INHC, is a health editor at GoodRx. She is a nutritionist and integrative nutrition health coach with over 8 years of experience in health communications.

Edited by:

Laurie Tarkan

Laurie Tarkan is a senior health editor for general health and well-being at GoodRx. She has an extensive background in health journalism, and wrote regularly for The New York Times for a decade.

Reviewed by:

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH, is a medical editor at GoodRx. She is a licensed, board-certified pediatrician with more than a decade of experience in academic medicine.

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