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A dietitian and nutritionist are often mistaken to be the same profession.
In contrast, there are no standard requirements to call yourself anutritionist.
Dietitians help treat medical conditions, while nutritionists give advice for general health.
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They typically assess their clients' nutritrional needs and help them develop meal plans and healthy eating habits.
Weight Management
Both registered dietitians and certified nutrition specialists canhelp you manage your weight.
However, dietitians can provide more detailed diet plans, especially when treating specific health conditions.
The chart below compares who to see for managing your weight goals.
However, many RDs and RDNs hold higher degrees.
They must also complete continuing professional educational requirements to maintain registration.
Many states do not have nutritionist certification requirements.
It is possible for anyone in those states to call themselves a nutritionist.
Certified nutrition specialist (CNS) is a credible nutritionist certification, certified by the BCNS.
A minimum of a masters degree and 1,000 hours of supervised practice are required.
Eligible persons must take and pass a board exam, then receive continuing education on a regular basis.
Before taking advice about nutrition from someone, ensure they have the proper education and certifications.
RDN and CNS are two pathways that require education, supervised practice, exams, and continuing education.
Cost
Costs for meeting with a dietitian and nutritionist can vary a lot.
An average cost per consultation may be anywhere from $50 to $200.
Location, additional training and specializations, and years of experience can cause the price to vary.
However, always check with your individual insurance plan for coverage beforehand.
If you meet with a private practice dietitian, they may or may not accept insurance.
Always ask beforehand if you want your visit covered by your insurance plan.
Without Insurance
Nutritionistsand health coaches are not usually covered by insurance and will most likely be self-pay.
Providing a superbill is not a guarantee of insurance coverage.
Nutritionists are not regulated in many states, and, therefore, anyone can call themselves a nutritionist.
Some nutritionists may hold a degree and are certified.
However, certifications for nutritionists vary and are often unregulated.
A certified nutrition specialist (CNS) is a credible certification for nutritionists.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.Dietitians and Nutritionists.
Association of Nutrition & Food Service Professionals.Top 10 medical conditions that benefit from medical nutrition therapy.
Commission on Dietetic Registration.Registered dietitian (RD) or registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN)* certification.
Commission on Dietetic Registration.2024 graduate degree requirement - registration eligibility.
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.Become a RDN or NDTR.
American Nutrition Association.About the BCNS.
American Nutrition Association.Nutritionist and health professionals.
