Dietitian or Nutritionist: What's the difference?

Look out for the APD and AN logo when you are looking for a trusted nutrition professional.

What's the difference between a dietitian and a nutritionist?

This is a really common question I get asked, and when I ask the person to tell me what they think the difference is I usually an answer along these lines: "A dietitian gives you different diets to try and a nutritionist instructs you on what foods to eat to stay healthy." These are both technically correct, but there is a clear difference between the two.

Nutritionists are university qualified to provide evidence-based advice for health eating.

Dietitians are also university qualified to provide evidence-based advice for health eating, but also undergo further clinical training to provide individualised dietary counselling and medical nutrition therapy to help with a wide range of medical conditions and life circumstances.

All dietitians registered with the Dietetic Association of Australia are both Accredited Practicing Dietitians (APD) and Accredited Nutritionist (AN).

When you see someone who is an APD AN you know you are getting quality, evidence-based nutrition information you can trust!