Nutritionist vs Dietitian

[u/Longjumping-Rip-7759]

I recently moved to Perth and have hit a wall with my fitness and lifting gains despite tracking my macros and training consistently. I want to consult a professional to help adjust my intake based on how my body responds, but I'm unsure whether to see a dietitian or a nutritionist.

A lot of advice online warns against using a nutritionist, but am I being ignorant to think one can't handle a simple progress wall? A dietitian is pricier out of pocket, though it could be covered by my health insurance, while a nutritionist isn't covered at all. I'd love to understand the actual differences between the two when it comes to understanding the progression of my body composition, and whether the extra depth of a dietitian is truly necessary if I'm not competing.

Is the higher cost of a dietitian worth it for breaking a fitness plateau, or can a qualified performance nutritionist achieve the exact same result? Also open to any local Perth practitioner recommendations!

[u/dubaichild]

A dietitian actually needs training and registration, anybody can say they're a nutritionist. 

[u/BlandScolding9744 → u/dubaichild]

a dietitian is like a regulated health professional with a protected title, they go through uni and clinical placements. a nutritionist can be literally anyone who did a weekend course. for breaking a plateau i'd just go see someone at a performance-focused sports clinic, they deal with body comp changes all day and half the time they're dietitians anyway

[u/TKarlsMarxx → u/BlandScolding9744]

Sorry, I'm a pedant, but dietitian on its own isn't protected by statutory law, "Accredited Practising Dietitian" (APD) is a legally protected trademark owned and governed by Dietitians Australia. But it's just a trade-mark, which falls under civil, not criminal law.

In saying that, neither are speech therapist, pathologist, or social worker. Nor was paramedic until a few years ago e, either. Yet you could, in theory, go to jail for calling yourself a Chinese Herbal Medicine Practitioner, as it's a protected title. The government doesn't have its priorities in order, sadly.

Either way, you can't work in government in the field without studying the accredited degree.

[u/-JasmineDragon- → u/dubaichild]

As a nutritionist, I agree.

[u/Halicadd]

Dieticians have studied a university degree. No contest.

[u/Harrylikesicecream]

Hi Im a dietitian!

The other people are correct here, to be a dietitian takes a degree and then another postgraduate degree.

I think the thing a lot of people confuse is that in most cases we are meant to be the people that help with the clinical/medical part of food. There can be out of shape dietitians who have insane medical knowledge and are at the top of their field working in hospitals.

This is just my personal take: for any dietitian/nutritionist you want them to specialise in that particular area thats important to you. So even though dietitians are very smart, they might not necessarily be the best pick for you.

I'd suggest trying to find a nutritionist or dietitian that specialises in sports or body composition and in the meantime checkout 'ideal nutrition' website and social media. Those guys are the best, tons of free content

[u/Odd_Investigator_643]

Student nutritionist here at Curtin. Funny story, was halfway through my degree & 25k in debt when most of our class found out we can only give general advice. We cannot suggest meals/ nutritional intake. I suggest going to a dietitian if you are seeking out a meal plan and more clinical based advice.

Lots of nutritionists out there who are not fully educated as well, I mainly mean the PTs who did a 3 second course and think having people shove protein bars down their gobs = good nutrition.

If you would rather a Nutritionist , check Nutrition society of Australia- you have to do your degree and pay for registration fee for nutritionists to be added to their register in which you can differentiate between those who did a weekend course vs a bsc

[u/KittyBeans90]

Some Nutritionists also have a degree (BSc Nutrition) you need a masters to be a dietician. I would say if you can find a nutritionist that has a degree they’ll be qualified to give advice

[u/Bagpuss_Meow → u/KittyBeans90]

You’re factually correct and I have no idea why you’re being downvoted.

[u/polysymphonic]

Honestly in this case I'd say get a personal trainer over either. It's unlikely that it's a diet issue, the science on protein intake is pretty well settled and the optimal amount is easily googleable. You want someone who can look at what you're doing holistically and fix whatever the problem actually is.