Dietitians are uniquely trained to advise you on food, diet and nutrition. All Dietitians have a Bachelor's degree specializing in foods and nutrition, and have completed an accredited internship at a hospital, or a graduate degree associated with an accredited hospital.  They have also passed a national registration exam and are required to maintain their registration through continuing education.  Dietitians are members of a regulated profession that has public protection as their mandate. Dietitians are held accountable for their conduct and the care they provide.

Law protects the title 'Registered Dietitian', 'Professional Dietitian', and 'Dietitian' so that only qualified practitioners who have met education qualifications can use that title.

The term "nutritionist" is not a professionally regulated term. That means there are no minimum qualifications for individuals to call themselves "nutritionists".  Some "nutritionists" give their businesses fancy names like "The National Nutrition Clinic" or "International Nutrition Center." The truth is, anyone can open up shop as a "nutritionist." (The 16-year-old kid at the health food store calls himself a nutritionist!)

A Dietitian can work as a "nutritionist", but a "nutritionist" cannot work as a Dietitian. Government agencies may give their Registered Dietitians the job title "Public Health Nutritionist" to reflect the focus on a prevention-based approach to health. However, in health food stores, companies who sell nutritional and diet supplements, and private businesses, self-proclaimed "nutritionists" cannot legally call themselves Dietitians, as they do not meet the strict criteria for this professional title. 

Look for the Letters
If you are looking for credible and reliable nutrition information, look for the letters RD after the individual’s name. This indicates that a person is a professional Dietitian who is qualified to give accurate and current nutrition information. Many dietitians also carry the letters CD (certified dietitian) or LD (licensed dietitian), depending on the state they practice in.  These credentials mean they have met their state’s requirements to practice. In many states, dietitians cannot practice until they have obtained these credentials.

Questionable Credentials
Individuals without these initials who call themselves "nutritionists" do not have the same education and training as Registered Dietitians. They may use letters such as CN (certified nutritionist), CNC (certified nutrition consultant), CNP (certified nutritional practitioner) or RNC (registered nutrition consultant). Others call themselves a “whole foods nutritionist” or “professional therapeutic nutritionist” – neither of which are legitimate titles.

Having said that, some professionals who call themselves "nutritionists" may be very qualified for the type of work that they are doing, depending on the specific services they provide. A "nutritionist", for example, may be very qualified to teach cooking classes if they have a background in food preparation and home economics. However, a "nutritionist" that offers individual diet counseling based on their own interest in nutrition, or personal experiences from being on diets is NOT qualified to do that type of work.

How Do You Spell It Anyway?
One more thing…the spelling "Dietician" is incorrect in the US. In the US, we spell it "Dietitian." Change that "c" to a "t"!

The Madam Nutrition Difference

Madam Nutrition is owned and operated by Erin Dummert, RD, CD, a nationally registered, state certified dietitian.  All nutrition recommendations provided by Madam Nutrition are research-based.  This means Madam Nutrition does not make recommendations unless there is enough scientific research to back them up.  Therefore, at Madam Nutrition you will receive only sound nutrition advice - not the latest fad diet, or nutrition hype.  To learn more about Erin’s credentials and background, visit “Meet Madam Nutrition”.