Understanding the Differences: RDNs, Nutritionists, and Functional Nutritionists
Understanding the Differences: RDNs, Nutritionists, and Functional Nutritionists
Many people have assumptions about the role of Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) – also referred to as Registered Dietitians (RDs) they are the same credential.
Some people don’t know what we do or that we have a role in the hospital setting (hey, if you are sedated and intubated, you still get nutrition thanks to a registered dietitian being on the team). Still, we also have a role in policy and implementation. What most of us don’t do? Just give you a meal plan or work in the cafeteria.
Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) have diverse areas of practice and specialties. Here are some of these areas and the steps required to become an RDN:
Areas of Practice for Registered Dietitian Nutritionists:
Clinical Nutrition: RDNs work in hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities. They provide medical nutrition therapy to individuals with various conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, and eating disorders. Dietitians are the specialists providing nutrition support for people who need short- or long-term tube feeding.
Community Nutrition: RDNs work in community health programs, public health agencies, or non-profit organizations. They develop and implement nutrition education programs, promote healthy eating, and address food insecurity to ensure access to healthy food is an option.
Sports Nutrition: RDNs specializing in sports nutrition work with athletes to optimize their performance through dietary strategies. They may work with individual athletes or sports teams from recreational athletes, collegiate athletes, and professionals from the NHL, MLB, NBA, NFL, Olympians, and more.
Pediatric Nutrition: RDNs in this field focus on the nutritional needs of infants, children, and adolescents. They often work in pediatric clinics or hospitals. Some infants and children need specialty formulas, and the dietitians work to ensure the formula is appropriate and families have access to it.
Gerontological Nutrition: These RDNs specialize in the nutritional needs of older adults. They work in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and hospitals, helping seniors maintain good health.
Corporate Wellness: RDNs in corporate wellness programs design and implement nutrition and wellness initiatives for employees to improve overall health and productivity and potentially reduce health insurance rates and claims.
Private Practice: Some RDNs own private practices, like me, providing one-on-one counseling, personalized dietary guidance to clients, education, and more. They are also uniquely qualified to address not just diet and lifestyle factors for health but also specific medical diagnoses such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and many other chronic health concerns.
Food Service Management: RDNs in this area oversee food service operations in institutions like schools, hospitals, and healthcare facilities. They ensure that meals meet nutritional standards and safety regulations.
Eating Disorder Treatment: RDNs specializing in eating disorders collaborate with mental health professionals to provide dietary interventions for individuals with conditions like anorexia, bulimia, or binge-eating disorder.
Renal Nutrition: RDNs in renal nutrition work with individuals with kidney disease who require specialized diets and treatment plans.
Peer-to-peer Support: While much of the role of RDNs is providing services to those wanting specific nutrition information, some RDNs offer services to their colleagues with business support and training.
These are just some of the roles of an RDN – and there are many more, from research, working for agriculture groups and food companies, being a spokesperson, writing books, and more.
Becoming a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist:
To become an RDN, individuals must follow a structured educational and training path:
Education: Earn a master’s degree in nutrition, dietetics, or a related field from an accredited program. Until recently, it was a bachelor’s degree, and many RDNs pursued master’s degrees for advanced knowledge. Starting this year, a master’s degree is now required.
Dietetic Internship: After completing the academic requirements, aspiring RDNs must complete a dietetic internship, typically lasting around 6-12 months. This internship provides hands-on training in various practice areas. The internships are highly competitive, with limited openings, and are unpaid, with many internships requiring paid tuition. So, not only is it unpaid, but most interns must also pay for their internship (which is entirely legal).
Pass the RD Exam: Upon completing the dietetic internship, candidates must pass the Registration Examination for Dietitians. This exam assesses their knowledge and skills in dietetics. No one can call themselves an RD or RDN without passing this exam.
State Licensure: In some states, including New Mexico, RDNs must obtain state licensure or certification in addition to their RD credential for an additional annual fee. This licensure requirement and cost varies by location and state.
Maintain Continuing Education: RDNs must engage in ongoing professional development to stay current with the latest nutrition research and practices. The continuing education requirements include having at least 75 hours of continuing education credits every five years.
Specialization and Certification: RDNs can pursue additional certifications in specific practice areas, such as sports nutrition or diabetes education, to enhance their expertise. These require extra hours of training and passing different exams.
Becoming a registered dietitian nutritionist is a rigorous process. Still, it equips individuals with the knowledge and skills to work in various practice areas and positively impact people’s health and well-being.
What is the difference between Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs), nutritionists, nutrition coaches, and functional nutritionists?
Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) are different from nutritionists, nutrition coaches, and functional nutritionists in several key ways:
Education and Credentialing:
Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN): RDNs must complete a bachelor’s degree (a master’s degree starting this year) in nutrition, dietetics, or a related field from an accredited program. They must also complete a dietetic internship and pass the Registration Examination for Dietitians. This comprehensive education and credentialing process ensures that RDNs have a solid foundation in science-based nutrition and are qualified to provide medical nutrition therapy.
Nutritionist or Nutrition Coach: The terms “nutritionist” and “nutrition coach” are not regulated titles in the United States. This lack of regulation means that individuals using these titles may have varying levels of education and expertise. Some may have degrees in nutrition or related fields, while others may not have formal education or credentials. The qualifications of nutritionists and nutrition coaches can vary widely.
Functional Nutritionist: A functional nutritionist is typically someone with additional training in functional nutrition, which emphasizes identifying and addressing the root causes of health issues through r nutrition. They may have a background as an RDN, but some functional nutritionists come from various health and wellness backgrounds. The level of formal education and credentialing can vary.
Scope of Practice:
Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN): RDNs are qualified to work in various healthcare settings, including hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities. They can provide medical nutrition therapy to manage and prevent chronic diseases. They often work as part of a healthcare team, collaborating with doctors and other healthcare professionals. They also work with individuals and can accept health insurance.
Nutritionist or Nutrition Coach: The scope of practice for nutritionists and nutrition coaches varies widely and depends on their education and experience. They may focus on general wellness, weight management, or sports nutrition but typically do not provide medical nutrition therapy for clinical conditions.
Functional Nutritionist: Functional nutritionists often take a holistic approach, looking at the interplay between diet, lifestyle, and health. They may work with individuals seeking to address underlying causes of health issues, such as digestive problems, autoimmune conditions, or food sensitivities.
Regulation:
Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN): RDNs are regulated healthcare professionals. They are bound by a code of ethics and are often licensed or certified by states. This code means they are held to specific standards of practice and have a legal obligation to provide evidence-based care.
Nutritionist or Nutrition Coach: The titles “nutritionist” and “nutrition coach” are not regulated in many places, including the United States. This lack of regulation means there is no standardized oversight of their practice.
Functional Nutritionist: Functional nutritionists may or may not have a specific licensing or certification, depending on their background and training.
In summary, the key differences among these titles primarily revolve around education, credentialing, scope of practice, and regulation. RDNs have the highest level of formal education and are qualified to provide medical nutrition therapy, making them a go-to for clinical nutrition guidance.
Nutritionists and nutrition coaches may offer advice on general wellness and nutrition, while functional nutritionists often focus on identifying and addressing underlying health issues through diet and lifestyle changes. It’s essential for individuals seeking nutrition guidance to understand the qualifications and expertise of the professional they choose to work with.
