Dietitians of Canada

Dietitian or nutritionist: What's the difference?

Accreditation, education, experience and accountability

• Registered Dietitians use their knowledge and skills in food and nutrition to promote good health.
• They are health care professionals who have earned a Bachelor’s degree specializing in food and nutrition and have completed supervised practical training through a university program or an approved hospital or community setting.
• Dietitians must be registered with Provincial Regulatory Bodies and are the only professionals who can use the titles “Registered Dietitian”, “Professional Dietitian” and “Dietitian”, which are protected by law. Look for the letters R.D., P.Dt. or D.Pt. after the name, indicating that the person is a registered member of the profession.
• Dietitians are accountable to provincial regulatory bodies for their professional conduct and the care they provide. For more information, contact the regulatory body in your province.
• Dietitians are committed to public protection
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• In most provinces there are not regulatory standards to protect the title “Nutritionist.” In provinces where “Nutritionist” is a protected title it usually is “Dietitian-Nutritionist” that is protected by law.