Integrative Nutritionist vs. Registered Dietician: Who Do You Pick?

And which one is going to get to the root of your illness? 

So you know you need help with your diet. You know you feel crummy. And you know you could feel better. 

Where do you turn?

On the one hand, you have your doctor, but really, he or she isn't well-versed in diet and generally just tells you your bloodwork is fine and so you must be fine. 

But you aren't fine. And you know it. 

Your doctor tells you to go see a nutritionist, so you start Googling what that is and what they do. And you end up more confused than when you started!

You want a practitioner who can help you figure out what to eat. But you have this nagging feeling that your doctor is missing something. Or maybe it's not a nagging feeling, but an outward obvious concern. Maybe you've been diagnosed with something (let's say ADHD or anxiety or hypothyroidism). You've been given a prescription and told there's nothing else you can do, but your intuition tells you that there is more to the story. 

When I was looking at going back to school to further my education in nutrition, I looked at several programs. From prestigious Registered Dietician (RD) programs to Certified Nutrition Practitioner programs. It was overwhelming trying to decide. 

But it was clear. The essence of what I wanted to do was to help people heal, using the body, herbs, supplements, and lifestyle. 

The components of that could only be found in a holistic nutrition program such as the one that I attended. 

But I am frequently asked, what is the difference be what I do and an RD? 

So let's dive into it. 

An RD is considered an expert in the field of nutrition. And indeed, they undergo extensive training including a rigorous exam and internships (similar to my Doctorate of Physical Therapy program). Their education is well-regulated and they are licensed in all 50 states by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. They have ongoing training requirements and can work in a variety of settings including inpatient centers, hospitals, and private practice. 

I worked with an RD when I was dealing with my own eating disorder in college, and at the time I found her to be a wonderful ally, but her nutritional info fell short for many reasons (more on that later). In my professional experience, RDs see themselves as the gold standard in nutritional therapy. 

Your general RD can cite macros, daily carb counts, and calorie "requirements" for growth or weight loss and they can help create meal plans like nobody's business. They follow the USDA My Plate when it comes to recommendations. They reiterate information from the CDC, FDA, and USDA. 

A nutritionist, on the other hand, is generally someone who claims to have nutrition training of any sort. In many states, one can claim to be a nutritionist with no real credentials. This is changing and in some states, calling yourself a nutritionist and administering nutrition information is outright not allowed. If you live in a state where this is unregulated, I encourage you to do your due diligence before hiring anyone. Literally, in some states, someone with a bachelor's in nutrition can call themselves a nutritionist. You just want to know what you are getting.

However, we are in an age where there is a STRONG movement away from traditional nutritional advice and towards and more holistic and integrative approach. So a new profession is emerging. 

An integrative or holistic nutritionist understands that calorie counting doesn't equate to good health. We understand that there is more to health than making sure you get your daily grain serving. We look at food quality, sleep, stress, water quality, toxin load, and more because we know these are ALL part of feeling your best. Many holistic practitioners are now able to sit for a national board exam (Board Certified in Holistic Nutrition) and are required to participate in a national governing body, much like the dieticians (National Association of Nutrition Professionals) where annual continued educational courses are required and vigorously monitored. 

In addition, in Washington state, to be a Nutritionist, you must have attended an accredited program that allows you to be licensed. This adds another layer of professionalism and allows most insurance companies to cover nutritional therapy services. 

So who needs what? 

I generally believe that dieticians are invaluable for patients on kidney dialysis and other inpatient treatment programs where specific calories and macro counts are essential for recovery. I have also noticed a trend where traditionally trained dieticians are going back to further their education in integrative practices--this is AMAZING! They are going to be integral in normalizing the integrative approach in the current medical model. 

Holistic and integrative nutritionists are going to be primarily focused on the root of the issue at hand and help you get to the bottom of it. 

Anemic? Why...

Constipated? Why...(generally it's not just about fiber nor is it a Miralax deficiency)

Bloated? Food allergies? Why...(food is rarely to blame)

ADHD? Why...and how do we support your brain to function optimally? Often there is a biochemical imbalance we can support. 

PMS/Obscene menstrual cycles? Why...

Thyroid disease? Crohn's Disease? Why...and there are ways for these to go into remission without prescriptions...

Can't lose weight? Why...hint: It's NOT that you aren't cutting calories or exercising more...

I could go on and on...

When it comes to your health, both RDs and nutritionists can support you. What YOU have to ask yourself is what is your goal? 

If your goal is to get to the root of your health challenge, I highly suggest spending time with a highly qualified holistic nutritionist (obviously I'm biased, forgive me!). You'll learn so much about yourself, your body, and what your body is capable of. 

Questions about who is right for you? Just reply to this email! No AI here :) 

In health,

Katie