What is a Registered Dietitian?
A Registered Dietitian (RD) is a health professional who can provide advice on nutrition, food and healthy eating choices to help you look good and feel great. Registered Dietitians take complex medical and nutrition research and make it easier for you to make daily food choices and plan healthy meals. They can show you how healthy eating can be fun, enjoyable and delicious! Registered Dietitians are your trusted experts in nutrition.
What is the difference between a dietitian and a nutritionist?
The titles “dietitian” or “Registered Dietitian” are protected by law. This means that only someone who has met specific educational and professional requirements is legally allowed to use these titles.
All Registered Dietitians in BC are members of the College of Dietitians of British Columbia (every province has its own college). As a member of the college, a Registered Dietitian must practice according to set standards and laws that protect the public, just like you would expect from doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other health professions.
The terms “nutritionist” or “registered nutritionist” are not protected terms. This means that anybody can call themselves a nutritionist and there are no standards for their quality of care.
