Dietetics and nutritionology are becoming more and more popular areas in the modern world due to the increasing interest of the population in a healthy lifestyle
Previously, when it was necessary to “lose” or “gain” weight, many thought that it was enough to go to a Dietitian who would select the right diet, and all problems would be solved. However, in some cases, compliance with the diet is not enough. Eating habits remain, and people eventually return to their usual way of life.
Increasingly, people began to turn to nutritionists. Their task, at first glance, is the same: to help the client “lose” weight by adjusting nutrition and working out the diet. Then a logical question arises: why do you need a dietitian if you can solve the problem with the help of a nutritionist? Who should I contact in what cases?
In fact, the differences between dietitian and nutritionists are fundamental, despite the fact that both work with nutrition and help people normalize it for a healthy lifestyle. Many people confuse specialists because they do not fully understand the specifics of each person's work.
What is the difference between a dietitian and a nutritionist
If you see pages of nutritionists on social networks that promise a detailed analysis of your tests and weight loss of 10 kilograms in a month, you should not trust them. We will tell you how to distinguish specialists from each other in order to choose someone who will help solve your problem.
What do experts have in common:
They can study your eating habits, observe how nutrition affects mood, health, emotional and physical condition;
They can teach others to understand foods and make up a diet;
They can select and make a balanced nutrition plan;
They can help you choose the right foods that contain as many macro- and microelements as you need to be healthy.
Dietitian:
Treats patients. That is, people come to him who, for health reasons, need to follow a strict diet. For example, with diabetes mellitus, stomach ulcers, various stages of obesity or anorexia, and so on. It is the nutritionist who can diagnose and prescribe tests.
Gives a detailed treatment plan, prescribes medications if they are needed.
He must have a higher medical education.
Accepts patients in public or private clinics.
Must be accredited and registered with an official health organization.
Nutritionist:
It is not necessary to have a higher medical education. It can be anything. The main thing is to undergo professional retraining. On average, you can become a nutritionist after completing the course.
Works with people who do not have chronic diseases or other health problems. The reason is that the specialist does not have the education that allows him to treat people.
Understands the composition, knows how food affects the body, understands the difference between healthy foods and "not so much". He can choose a diet according to the client's request, taking into account his lifestyle. The specialist also works with eating habits. Teaches people to gradually change them so that they do not have weight problems in the future.
He cannot diagnose, send for tests and decode them.
Also, a nutritionist does not have the right to prescribe medications.
Whom to contact
Both a dietitian and a nutritionist will help you adjust your diet and become healthy. But the first one will not be able to replace the second one. After all, it is the dietitian who deals with clinical cases. If you just need to lose or, conversely, gain a few pounds, then a nutritionist will cope with this problem.
However, if you understand that there are disorders in your body that have caused weight problems, then only a dietitian can help you. The doctor knows what happens to the body during the illness, which foods can be eaten, and which ones will only worsen the situation. Since a nutritionist may not have a higher medical education, he is not always aware of the peculiarities of the body's work. Therefore, if you have a medical condition, he should redirect you to a dietitian or work with him in pairs.
Summing up the results
Both a dietitian and a nutritionist can adjust nutrition and work with eating habits.
A dietitian treats people, and a nutritionist consults.
Both can engage in scientific activities. But the profession of a dietitian is strictly regulated, but a nutritionist can become a person with any education if he graduates from specialized courses.
Only a dietitian can make diagnoses, prescribe tests and interpret them.
A nutritionist helps to understand foods and nutrition, as well as replace unhealthy eating habits with healthy ones so that the client is healthy and happy. You can contact him if you know that you do not have any diseases.
The dietitian works not only with those who need to adjust nutrition, but also with clinical cases where the diet is indicated for health reasons.
Both specialists do not promise stunning results and treat the case responsibly and wisely, realizing that each person is individual. They do not use templates in their work.
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