Sponsored: The difference between "dietitian" and "nutritionist"

Ask Leah! The Ingles Dietitian

Sponsored: The difference between "dietitian" and "nutritionist"

QUESTION: What’s the difference between a “dietitian” and a “nutritionist?”

ANSWER: Great question, especially since it's National Nutrition Month! I am technically a “Registered Dietitian Nutritionist”. A person who has this title must:

• Have a college degree. (Mine is in Human Nutrition (B.S) from the University of Maryland)

• Be accepted to and complete an internship that usually lasts 9 months to 1 year. That supplies experience working in a variety of nutrition setting including clinical, food service and community rotations. (Mine was with the U.S Army)

• Take and pass an nationally administered board exam. ( I passed in 1996)

• Maintain annual continuing education credits. ( I usually get at least 25 hours of continuing education per year.)

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In addition, I am a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the world's largest association of nutrition professionals and am licensed in the state of North Carolina.

A Registered Dietitian Nutritionist can call themselves a “nutritionist” but not every nutritionist is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. Make sure you ask or check credentials.

Leah McGrath, RDN, LDN

Ingles Markets Corporate Dietitian

twitter.com/InglesDietitian

facebook.com/LeahMcgrathDietitian

800-334-4936

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