Who is a Dietitian?

Dietitians are the medical professionals who are well trained and qualified in assessing, diagnosing, and treating nutritional problems of humans. They can alter the patient’s diet based on the medical conditions and individual needs. All Dietitians are Nutritionists.

Who is Nutritionist?

Nutritionists are the ones who are experts in the field of food and nutrition. They advise individuals regarding what to eat in order to lead a healthy life or to achieve a specific health-related goal. They work in hospitals, cafeterias, nursing homes, schools, and few are self-employed. All Nutritionists are not Dietitians.

What are the qualifications of a Dietitian-Nutritionist?

Following are few of the required qualifications for an individual to be a Dietitian-Nutritionist:

• Certificate in Food and Nutrition
• Ph.D. - Home Science (Food Science and Nutrition)
• MSc - Child Development and Essentials of Nutrition
• MPhil - Food Service Management and Dietetics
• Diploma in Nutrition and Health Education
• MSc. - Dietetics & Food Service Management
• M.Phil - Foods and Nutrition
• M.S. Human Nutrition
• Diploma in Dietetics & Public Health Nutrition (DDPHN)
• B.Sc.- Clinical Nutrition & Dietetics
• Masters in Dietetics and Food Service Management
• Diploma in Clinical Nutrition
• Post Graduate In Food Science And Nutrition
• Bachelor in Nutrition (ACEND)
• Ph.D. - Gastro & Human Nutrition Unit

When should an individual visit a Dietitian-Nutritionist?

Individuals with any of the following medical conditions or diseases can consult a Dietitian-Nutritionist.

• Heart diseases
• Diabetes
• Kidney failure
• Liver diseases
• Overweight [Obesity]
• Eye problems
• Cancer
• Food allergies

In a few cases, the primary doctor can refer a patient to Dietitian-Nutritionist for his/her well being.

How often should I visit a Dietitian-Nutritionist?

People who are suffering from diseases or medical conditions related to the diet can consult a Dietitian-Nutritionist once in every 6 months. However, healthy individuals can consult once a year to check how the diet is affecting their health condition.

Can a Dietitian or a Nutritionist treat obesity?

Dietitian or Nutritionist plays an important role in the management of obesity. Depending on the person’s BMI, Dietitians provide a proper healthy and nutritious diet plan. Most people aim to lose around 1 to 1.5 pounds of weight per week and many people believe that nutrition therapy and proper diet are helpful in weight loss. 

Can a Dietitian or a Nutritionist help in the management of heart diseases?

Dietitians play a key role in the management of heart diseases by providing a proper diet plan. This helps to reduce the future risk of a person affected by heart disease. Individuals who are diagnosed with any of the heart conditions may be recommended to follow the Dietitian instructions regularly.