"To eat is a necessity, but to eat intelligently is a science!"
What do nutrionists do?
In general, nutritionists provide evidence-based information and guidance about the impacts of food and nutrition on the health and well-being of humans, at an individual or population level.
It is important that nutritionists have a good understanding of the scientific basis of nutrition, and have studied biochemistry and physiology to enable them to understand the bioloigical impact of food in the human body.
Registered Nutritionists (RNutrs) are required to have studied nutrition via an approved university course and have a minimum honors-degree level knowledge and understanding of nutrition science. Additionally, they need to demonstrate a number of years of professional clinical practice experience and be able to show they are both qualified and competent in the application of nutrition science within their specialist areas.
They work within private practice, charities, academia, industry, government, policy and other healthcare settings. Registered Nutritionists can work with individuals who have pre-existing medical conditions, provided this is in collaboration with the healthcare professional (such as a GP) who is managing the individual’s condition, and the support/advice provided is not in contradiction with any dietary management of their medical condition.
Registered Nutritionists can also work with acutely ill patients in the support of their nutritional management or treatment if they are practicing within a multi-disciplinary team and the management/treatment is under the supervision of a regulated health professional such as a medical doctor or dietitian.
Nutritionist, Dietitian and Nutritional Therapist - important differences
Nutritionists, dietitians and nutritional therapists are different roles with different sets of professional standards expected of those who practice in each field. There are fundamental differences between the work, and the registration requirements, of nutritionists, dietitians and nutritional therapists, that are important to recognise.
When looking for a nutritionist practitioner, it is important to engage one that is registered with The Association for Nutrition. The association is committed to the promotion of strong evidence-based nutrition and every registrant must meet science-based competencies in nutrition and agree to abide by a rigorous Code of Ethics to achieve registration. (Read more about the UK Voluntary Register of Nutritionists here.)
Dietitian
Registered Dietitians (RDs) assess, diagnose and treat dietary and nutritional problems and patients with acute illnesses at an individual and wider public health level. Minimum qualifications include a BSc Hons in Dietetics, or a related science degree with a postgraduate diploma or higher degree in Dietetics.
They work with both healthy and sick people, using the most up-to-date public health and scientific research on food, health, and disease which they translate into practical guidance to enable people to make appropriate lifestyle and food choices.
Dietitians are regulated by law, and are governed by an ethical code to ensure that they always work to the highest standard. They work in the NHS, private practice, industry, education, research, sport, media, public relations, publishing, government, and Non-government Organisations (NGOs). Dietitians also advise and influence food and health policy across the spectrum from government to local communities and individuals.
Nutritional Therapist
Nutritional Therapists are recognised as complementary therapists and work within the field of complementary and alternative therapies, and encompass the use of recommendations for diet and lifestyle in order to alleviate or prevent ailments, often based on complementary ‘medicine’ recommendations that are not recognised as valid treatment in conventional medicine.
These recommendations may include guidance on detoxification, colonic irrigation, the avoidance of ingestion or inhalation of ‘toxins’ or ‘allergens’ and the use of supplementary nutrients, that are often not grounded in any form of scientific evidence, and their effectiveness can be questionable and their use can increase risk.
Nutritional therapy foundation degrees are not recognised by universities, and Nutritional therapists are not eligible to register with either UK Voluntary Register of Nutritionists (UKVRN) or the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC).