Anonymous wrote:OP here - what's the difference between those two things?
What two things? A nutritionist and a registered dietitian? (or registered dietitian nutritionist, as some of them call themselves)?
A "nutritionist" can be anyone and everyone who has taken an internet course or two, read an article or likes to talk about food. They typically have zero training in science and the real health issues involved in nutrition. The one exception may be in the District of Columbia, where there are LICENSED nutritionists (key word being licensed), who have the same training as RDs but have not completed a medical internship.
An RD is a true health care professional.
There is all the difference in the world.