Anonymous
Post 02/22/2026 17:07     Subject: Re:PSA: You want a registered dietician, not a nutritionist
I just started working with an RD two weeks ago. She will keep me accountable, I can see already. Recommend.
Anonymous
Post 02/22/2026 13:51     Subject: Re:PSA: You want a registered dietician, not a nutritionist
Also, above RDN here: Registered Dietitians will typically take insurance, as my DC practice does. A nutritionist usually cannot do that (depends by state), because they are not real health care professionals.
Anonymous
Post 02/22/2026 13:50     Subject: PSA: You want a registered dietician, not a nutritionist
Anonymous wrote:There is something called registered dietician nutritionist, so I’d check first.


That's the new official title of registered dietitians. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics encourages us to use RDN, rather than RD, I suppose in an attempt to reclaim the word "nutritionist" from the whacky internet set.

Thanks for posting this OP!

A Registered Dietitin Nutritionist
Anonymous
Post 02/22/2026 13:40     Subject: PSA: You want a registered dietician, not a nutritionist
Yep. I just used my FSA to get a dietician. I am looking to lose 15-20 pounds and gain a little more muscle so I found someone who specializes in body recomp and performance nutrition.

She has a B.S. in Dietetics and Nutrition and an M.S. in Sports Nutrition. As opposed to the myriad fitness influencers out there who just tell you to "Eat Clean"
Anonymous
Post 02/20/2026 20:11     Subject: Re:PSA: You want a registered dietician, not a nutritionist
Anonymous wrote:Thanks, OP! I really appreciate the PSA. I had no idea there was a difference and had been thinking I might need to see a nutritionist. Now I’ll be looking for a registered dietitian.


Thanks OP!
Anonymous
Post 02/20/2026 20:10     Subject: Re:PSA: You want a registered dietician, not a nutritionist
Anonymous wrote:Thanks, OP! I really appreciate the PSA. I had no idea there was a difference and had been thinking I might need to see a nutritionist. Now I’ll be looking for a registered dietitian.

You're welcome! I didn't know either, until I talked to my doctor about it.
Anonymous
Post 02/20/2026 20:09     Subject: PSA: You want a registered dietician, not a nutritionist
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:There is something called registered dietician nutritionist, so I’d check first.

That individual will never call themselves just a nutritionist. Look for the degree/licensing, folks. They will have RD or RDN after their name. Some states also have LDNs.


Yes, but they may be referred to by others as a nutritionist. So if someone says "let me recommend my nutritionist..." it doesn't necessarily mean they are recommending a hack.

Our pediatrician gave us a list of "nutritionists" to help with DD's eating/weight issues -- they were all registered dietitians. You'd think a doctor's office would use the right term and yet they didn't. The person we saw (from that list) was phenomenal and our pediatrician is also great (the rec to talk to someone was timely and smart and helped us deal with some food avoidance and pickiness issues before they became a health issue).

Some people just use inexact terms or don't realize a term they are using is inexact.


But this is EXACTLY why people need to look at the degrees and licensing.