What is a Dietitian
Did you know that Dietitians are different to Nutritionists?
A Registered Dietitian (RD) would have been trained to University Degree Level, they generally work in hospitals or clinical positions, however, they are able to advise you on all aspects of your diet. The title ‘dietitian’ is protected by the Health Professionals Council (HPC), meaning that dietitians must be fully qualified and registered with the HPC in order to use the title dietitian, and they must also demonstrate that they have continually kept up to date with training in order to provide safe, reliable and evidence-based advice to the public.
The professional association for dietitians is the British Dietetic Association
How do you get in contact with a Dietitian
Dietitians normally come recommended from your GP, surgery or local hospital. Alternatively, you can write to the BDA to receive a list of registered dietitians working in private practice in your area, just send a stamped addressed envelope to the following address:
Private Practice
The British Dietetic Association
5th Floor, Charles House
148/9 Great Charles St
Queensway
Birmingham, B3 3HT
Tel: 0121 200 8080
Dietitians can also be found on the Lifestylexperts website, click here to seach
Alternatively Dietitians can also be found on the Dietitians Unlimited website, this website lists all the dietitians registered with the HPC.
What is a Nutritionist
The term ‘Nutritionist’ is not currently protected by the Health Professionals Council and so its use is less precise than ‘dietitian’.
Currently, anyone regardless of qualifications, experience and skills can call herself or himself a ‘nutritionist’. Some Nutritionists are also registered Dietitians. Nutritionists work in research, university lecturing, the food industry and the media. Be aware unless they have undertaken training in dietetics, they will not have been specifically trained to provide individualised dietary advice to people who are ill.
The Nutrition Society is the major scientific and professional organisation for nutritionists in the UK. To be admitted to the register, nutritionists (and public health nutritionists) need to demonstrate a minimum of 3 years relevant postgraduate work experience in nutrition and must hold a university degree in nutrition (minimum 3 years full-time study) or a closely related subject e.g. nutrition and food science.