What’s the difference between a nutritional therapist and a dietician? Quite a lot actually – but most people don’t realise that there’s a difference. I’ll sometimes get an enquiry from someone saying they’re looking for help from a dietician, assuming I am one, even though nowhere on my website do I say that’s what I am.
What does a dietician do?
Dietitians usually work within the National Health Service (or sometimes private clinics) treating specific conditions such as diabetes, eating disorders or obesity for example. Dieticians are required to provide advice on set protocols. These are based on government guidelines and specific to a condition. Usually an appointment with a dietician is by referral from a GP. Often waiting lists, as is the case in many areas of the NHS, are long. Dietitian’s are medically trained and able to diagnose and can provide hospital and end of life care.
By contrast, nutritional therapists usually work in private practice. They look at symptoms, rather than a diagnosis. They hold a holistic approach to health that’s focused on enhancing quality of life and biochemical equilibrium.
What does a nutritional therapist do?
As BANT registered nutritional therapists, we focus on achieving optimal health, wellness, vitality and longevity, rather than just the absence of disease. We don’t believe ‘one size fits all’ so we offer personalised nutrition and lifestyle programmes. Nutritional therapists do not diagnose. Our tailored nutrition advice – as opposed to population based/ public health recommendations – is a key difference between nutritional therapists and dieticians.
Because the term ‘nutritional therapist’ is not protected in law, anyone can, in theory, call themselves a nutritional therapist. There are, unfortunately, people who offer nutritional advice who have not had an in depth education in nutritional medicine, so always look for a nutritional therapist who is registered. This will indicate that they have undertaken accredited training. These practitioners are able to register with the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC) to become a registered nutritional therapist, and can also register with the British Association for Nutrition and Lifestyle Medicine (BANT)
Summary of what nutritional therapists offer
In summary, nutritional therapists consider each person to be unique and recommend personalised nutrition and lifestyle programmes, rather than a ‘one size fits all’ approach.
What about the term Nutritionist?
Confusingly, nutritional therapists are often referred to as nutritionists! In fact, most ‘nutritionists’ typically work in food companies, research or food-related industries. They usually aren’t trained to see individuals to assess particular issues. Their training is more for advising on food products, food labels or researching nutritional effects on our bodies. They are usually scientists.
But just to confuse you further, the term nutritionist may be used by nutritional therapists when working in academia, any non-clinical settings or writing for publications. So, to clarify, we can be called BANT registered nutritional therapists when working one-to-one, and BANT registered nutritionists for other work, as outlined above.
Find out more about working with a nutritional therapist
I hope this post ‘What’s the difference between a nutritional therapist and a dietician’ has clarified what both roles can offer. If you’d like personalised advice on how to have a healthier diet or how to address a specific heath concern then please contact me: vanessa@wellbeingandnutrition.co.uk
For further details about how I work: services
Vanessa May is a BANT registered Nutritional Therapist, ILM Accredited Wellbeing Coach and Certified Grief Educator and has helped hundreds of clients with her holistic approach to health and wellbeing. She specialises in stress, fatigue, low mood, anxiety, hormonal imbalance and grief, giving women the confidence and tools to change their lives in a positive way.