If you don’t know the difference between a registered dietitian (RD) and a nutritionist, you’re not alone.
By Wendy Haaf
In a recent survey of Ontario residents, only 16.2 per cent of respondents correctly identified the distinction.
Of the two titles, only that of RD is protected by law in Canada’s most populous province—which means that anyone can use the title “nutritionist.” RDs, however, must complete a degree in human dietetics at an accredited university and are overseen by a regulating body.
And Alberta, Quebec, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island have enacted legislation mandating the nutritionist designation for RDs only.
Source: Longwoods Publishing Corporation “Healthcare Policy”
Photo by humberto chavez on Unsplash
