registered dietitian, explained
WHO SHOULD YOU TRUST FOR NUTRITION ADVICE?
Nutrition tips are everywhere but not all are created equal. Registered Dietitians (RD/RDN) are the food and nutrition pros with the training to sift fact from fiction and provide medical nutrition therapy (MNT).
“Health coaches” and many “nutritionists” (titles often unregulated) can support general wellness goals but cannot diagnose, treat, or give medical advice. Rules vary by state, but that boundary does not.
RD vs. RDN: What’s the Difference?
Short answer: None.
RD (Registered Dietitian) and RDN (Registered Dietitian Nutritionist) are interchangeable credentials with the same education, exam, and scope of practice. In 2013, the credentialing body added “Nutritionist” to better signal to the public that all RDs are nutritionists and much more.
How Do You Become a Dietitian? (The 5-Step Path)
Earn a master’s degree (required for exam eligibility starting Jan 1, 2024) from an accredited program.
An accredited program contain a curriculum that mirrors the premed track (minus physics) and contains deeper dives the impact of nutrition on pathophysiology through prevention and targeted intervention
Complete supervised practice (Dietetic Internship or coordinated program): ≥1,000 hours of experiential learning.
Pass the national registration exam.
Obtain state licensure, where required (varies by state).
Maintain continuing education to keep credentials current.
More details: eatright.org/become-an-rdn
What Can Dietitians Do?
Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT): Part of your healthcare team in hospitals, clinics, private practice, and long-term care.
From intestinal failure to severe dysphagia to complex dietary restrictions, dietitians deliver the medical nutrition that sustains life.
Foodservice Leadership: Run operations in hospitals, schools, universities, LTC, childcare, correctional facilities, menu design, procurement, safety, staffing.
Across food service, dietitians enforce safe menus that respect allergies, dietary rules, and the precise textures/consistencies required for safe intake.
Community & Public Health: Design programs and campaigns that improve population nutrition and quality of life.
Performance Nutrition: Support athletes, military, and first responders.
Industry & Media: Communications, PR, consumer affairs, product development, and marketing.
Research & Corporate Wellness: Advance the science and build healthier workplaces.
The Takeaway
If you want evidence-based guidance or care for a condition where food is part of treatment choose an RD/RDN. For general motivation or habit support, a wellness coach can help, but medical advice belongs with the licensed pros.
References
Cleveland Clinic. (2024, July 3). Health coach (health and wellness coach). Cleveland Clinic. Retrieved September 8, 2025, from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/health-coach-wellness-coach
Dietitian, Dietician, or Nutritionist? Marcason, Wendy. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Volume 115, Issue 3, 484
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. (n.d.). Become a registered dietitian nutritionist. EatRight.org. Retrieved September 8, 2025, fromhttps://www.eatright.org/become-an-rdn.
