What’s the Difference Between a Dietitian and a Nutritionist?
Let’s get this out of the way first: All dietitians are nutritionists, but not all nutritionists are dietitians.
If that sounds confusing, you’re not alone. A lot of people use the terms interchangeably—but the differences between them really matter when it comes to your health, performance, and goals.
What a Dietitian Actually Does
A Registered Dietitian (RD or RDN) is a licensed medical provider. That means they are legally allowed to offer medical nutrition therapy (MNT)—using food to help manage conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, disordered eating, GI disorders, and more.
Here’s what it takes to become a dietitian:
A bachelor’s and master’s degree in nutrition or dietetics
Over 1,000 hours of supervised clinical practice
Passing a national board exam
Continuing education to maintain licensure
And if you see CSSD after someone’s name (like Maura!), that means they’re a Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics. That credential requires 2,000 additional hours in the field and a second board exam focused on athletic performance.
What About Nutritionists?
A nutritionist is someone who may or may not have studied food and nutrition—and their education can range from a full degree program to a weekend certificate. Most nutritionists aren’t licensed, which means they:
Can’t diagnose or treat medical conditions
Aren’t legally allowed to provide individualized medical nutrition therapy
Can only offer general nutrition advice
That’s not to say all nutritionists are unqualified—but they don’t have the same clinical training or legal scope of practice as a dietitian.
Why This Difference Matters (For You)
Nutritionists may (maaaaay, depending on how good they are) offer helpful general advice—but they’re not licensed to diagnose, monitor, or treat specific medical or performance-related conditions. And that matters more than most people realize.
Dietitians, on the other hand, specialize in identifying the connection between what you’re eating and how you’re feeling—especially when the connection isn’t obvious.
That could mean:
Ongoing fatigue despite eating and sleeping “fine”
Unexplained changes in weight or appetite
Constant bloating, GI symptoms, or food sensitivities
Performance plateaus or recurring injuries during training
Anxiety around eating or feeling out of control with food
These aren’t “just eat more protein” problems. They’re “something’s not adding up and we need to figure out why” problems. A licensed dietitian doesn’t just skim your food log. They look at your symptoms, medical history, and goals to understand what’s really going on—and diagnose when it matters.
What Instagram Gets Right (and Wrong) About Nutrition
There’s a lot of nutrition advice online—especially on social media. And it’s easy to see why people gravitate toward it. Nutritionist influencers are everywhere. Their posts are polished, punchy, and packed with big promises: “Cut this one thing, and everything will change.”
That kind of advice is easy to share—and even easier to follow. It sounds confident. It’s simple. It feels actionable. But here’s the thing: without real context—like your medical history, your training volume, your actual life—it can completely miss the mark. Or worse, point you in the wrong direction entirely.
Dietitians are on social media too. But if you look closely, they’re usually focused on nuance, not virality. Their advice might not get as many likes, but it’s far more likely to be safe, evidence-based, and relevant to you—not just a generalized internet audience.
How to Choose the Right Nutrition Support
Whether you’re working with a dietitian or nutritionist, here are a few things to look for when deciding who to trust:
Are they offering personalized care—or just handing out a one-size-fits-all plan?
Do they take time to learn your history and goals?
Are they pushing a product or quick fix before asking questions?
Can they explain the why behind their advice?
Do they offer real support—or just hand you a $50 meal plan and a “good luck”?
The best providers—dietitians or otherwise—will work with you collaboratively, with a focus on education, not just prescription. You deserve that kind of care.
So… Do You Actually Need a Dietitian?
Here’s how to tell if it’s time to level up:
You’ve tried influencer advice and it didn’t work
You’re feeling overwhelmed, confused, or exhausted by food decisions
You’re training hard but not recovering or improving
You have a medical condition that might be affected by diet
You want to eat better but have no idea what that even means anymore
If any of that sounds familiar, working with a dietitian can help you get clarity and take some pressure off your plate—literally and figuratively.
Want to Talk It Through?
At Forward, we believe nutrition care should feel supportive, not stressful. Whether you’re managing a condition, trying to fuel better, or just want guidance from someone who actually listens—Maura’s here for that.
You can:
Ask your provider at Forward if nutrition support makes sense for you
Reach out to Maura directly via email
Or book a discovery call to talk through your goals and get your questions answered
No pressure. No gimmicks. Just real, licensed support.