Newsletter & Updates

The world of nutrition is a very complex area as there are so many different types of diets, foods, perspectives and thoughts on just about every aspect of it. Unfortunately, the term "Nutritionist" can be just as confusing and can vary depending on the state regulations, level of education a person has obtained and the governing body that has awarded the title. 

Generally speaking, there are only 3 accepted official titles for nutrition professionals with a Registered Dietician Nutritionist being the main one. Following closely behind is the Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS) which is currently acknowledged in many states as an appropriate educational title for licensure and a Certified Clinical Nutritionist varies by state as well. Each of these certifications require advanced education, training and supervised hours to learn, and apply their knowledge. The CNS continues to be accepted by states as a valid certification for licensure as states adapt their regulations.

Health Coaches and other Nutrition certificates can be created by various companies, approved by boards and do not need to be accredited or recognized as valid programs. While these programs do teach vital information and are important in the health care space, they are not recognized by any state as a path to becoming a licensed dietician or nutritionist due to the lack of education, training, supervision and accreditation. Many programs do not require any prior education and teach the students what they perceive as important information in regards to human physiology and science. 

To make things even more complicated, there are many states that have very lose terminology on who can and cannot practice nutrition. Some states have strict laws that only allow those who are registered and licensed as dieticians as approved by the Commission on Dietetic Registration to perform ANY nutrition care. Other states have NO laws or regulation on nutrition professionals and anyone can call themselves a nutritionist and provide care, regardless of their education and training. 

As murky as these waters can be, it is important to understand that the world of nutrition professionals is a complex and changing environment and knowing who to trust for nutrition care and education may require some time to understand. There is also a difference between knowing how to adjust calories for weight and using specific nutrients for conditions and diseases and knowing what nutrients are used for what process in the body. A Medical Doctor may be the go-to person for general health, their extensive training does not cover much nutrition, however that does not mean that there are not doctors out there that do have nutritional training. 

As a final note, there are many people out there with extensive knowledge who may or may not hold any of the above certificates or licenses and be credible sources of information. At the same time, just because a person does have a title does not mean they may be the best source of information. Always do your best to stay informed and find information from a variety of sources. 

For more information you can check your states laws and regulations or visit the following websites for interpretations: https://theana.org/advocate or https://www.nutritioned.org/licensed-nutritionist/the