What is a dietitian? What is a dietitian's salary? What is a dietitian vs nutritionist? These are just a few of the questions I am frequently asked when people hear that I am studying to be a Registered Dietitian. I usually tell them that a Registered Dietitian requires more schooling than a nutritionist. In this post, I will answer all of these questions, and more...
A Nutritionist is a term that is used lightly. The word is not legally protected, so many people who advise on nutritional matters, call themselves "nutritionists," even though they have no qualifications. One course in nutrition may be all it takes to call themselves a nutritionist.
Dietitians are obligated to meet certain professional requirements. They are considered to be experts in food and nutrition. A Nutritionists is NOT a Dietitian as dietitians are registered to a national board, and accredited and nutritionists are not.
Dietitians play a role in planning meals and food guidelines for groups of people or individual people. They prevent and treat illness by promoting healthy eating habits. They modify diet plans and participate in research to educate people on specific eating habits. As an example, a dietitian might teach a patient how to use less salt if they have a problem with high blood pressure. Or a dietitian can help create a diet of reduced sugar and fat for an overweight client.
Four specialties of dietitians are clinical dietitians, community dietitians, management dietitians or consultants.
Clinical Dietitians provide their services to hospital patients, nursing facilities, and other types of institutions. They survey the needs of patients, develop and implement nutritional programs and evaluate and report the results of said patients. Dietitians also consult with doctors and other health care individuals to collaborate on nutritional and medical needs. In addition, some clinical dietitians specialize in weight management or patients in care of renal (kidney), diabetic, or who are critically ill. Clinical dietitians can also be in charge of the food care services' in the health care buildings where they work.
Community dietitians counsel individual people or groups of people on practicing healthy nutritional ways to prevent disease and promote health. This type of dietitian works in places like public health clinics, home health agencies and health maintenance organizations. Community Dietitians evaluate the needs of individuals and their families. They counsel in home agencies to provide grocery shopping and food preparation to the elderly, children and individuals with special needs.
Management Dietitians work on a more large-scale planning program. They work in, but are not limited to health care facilities. Other facilities that management dietitians work in are company cafeterias, prisons, and schools. Their job duties include hiring, training and directing other dietitians and food service workers. They also budget for and buy the food, equipment and supplies for the facility's menu. In addition, the management dietitian also enforces sanitary and safety regulations and prepare the appropriate records and reports for such sanitary stats.
Consultant Dietitians usually work under contract with health care facilities or within their own private practice. These dietitians preform nutrition screenings for their clients and give advice on diet-related issues. Some issues they might counsel on are weight loss and reducing ones cholesterol. Some consultant dietitians work for wellness programs, sports teams, grocery stores and other nutrition related businesses. They may also confer with food service managers, providing expertise in sanitation, safety procedures, menu development, budgeting and planning.
The dietitian salary can range from $44,000 to $62,000. The average annual rate that is paid to Registered Dietitians in the United States is around $52,000. This is the average salary for dietitians, and a dietitian supervisor's average salary in around $54,000 annually.
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