Key Takeaways
- A registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) is a food and nutrition expert who can help you achieve your health goals.
- Dietitians are trained professionals who provide evidence-based advice and support for chronic health conditions.
- Working with a registered dietitian nutritionist can provide motivation, education, and knowledge to benefit your long term health.
Updated by: Caitlin Beale
Embarking on a journey to improve your diet and lifestyle can feel overwhelming, but a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) can really help.
Whether you want inspiration with tasty healthy recipes or need to adapt your diet to support a health condition, a registered dietitian nutritionist (also called a dietitian or registered dietitian) can work with you to create a personalized plan for your unique needs and preferences.
In simple terms: registered dietitian nutritionists make your life easier by supporting you throughout your journey.
Keep reading to learn exactly how an RDN can help and answer the crucial question you’ve been asking: “Should I see a registered dietitian nutritionist?”
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What is a Nutritionist?
Before we delve into the benefits of a registered dietitian nutritionist, let’s first discuss who these professionals are.
There is often confusion between an RDN and a nutritionist.
Both nutritionists and RDNs are health and wellness professionals who help people improve their eating and nutrition habits.
They can help clients implement nutrition plans that are sustainable and measurable in terms of their efficacy.
But there are significant differences between the two.
Benefits of Seeing a Dietitian vs. Nutritionist
The biggest difference between an RDN and a nutritionist is the educational background and required training for credentials.
Some nutritionists have extensive training and education, but not all.
Conversely, dietitians are all university-educated and must pass an exam to obtain their credentials.
A registered dietitian nutritionist can provide medical nutrition therapy (MNT) to help manage conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, eating disorders, and other chronic health issues.
Nutritionists are only legally allowed to provide general nutrition advice and education, but they can’t provide MNT.
Nutritionists also don’t have formal regulation in most states and therefore can vary significantly in terms of their level of education and expertise.
If you want to learn more, check out our blog post on the difference between a dietitian and a nutritionist for detailed information.
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What Can a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Do for Me?
So, what does a dietitian do for you?
The key duties and skills listed below provide a clear picture of how a professional can support you and help you decide when to see an RDN.
1. They Help You Address Digestive Issues
A number of medical conditions can cause stomach and digestive discomfort, from irritable bowel syndrome, to celiac disease, acid reflux, and ulcerative colitis.
These conditions make it much more difficult to figure out what foods to eat everyday, especially during a flare.
A registered dietitian nutritionist has extensive knowledge of the gastrointestinal tract and the various conditions that affect digestion.
They can recommend solutions based on your medical diagnosis to help you feel better faster.
2. They Make It Easier to Maintain Motivation
Registered dietitians understand the importance of providing realistic and achievable recommendations for their clients.
A meal plan personalized to you, combined with regular check-ins for guidance and maintenance, is key to making lasting changes.
People often find this aspect of nutritional services extremely beneficial, as any changes that last significantly increase the likelihood of reaching your health and wellness goals.
Having a professional by your side to assess your progress, recommend adjustments, and discuss concerns is almost like having your own personal coach.
3. They Tailor Meal Plans to Your Precise Needs
Every person is different.
You may struggle to eat breakfast while someone else wakes up ravenous with hunger.
You may crave chocolate regularly, while the next person rarely ever thinks about it.
You may love to cook at home, and someone else may dine out for the majority of their meals.
A registered dietitian nutritionist will take all of your lifestyle and dietary routines, needs, and preferences into account, developing a plan that makes sense for you and your life.
This personalization is one of the major benefits of seeing a nutritionist as opposed to trying to make changes on your own.
Adopting a general diet plan you find on the internet, or one recommended to you by a friend, is less likely to last.
Working with a professional gives you a customized plan that takes all factors into account.
4. They Provide You with Nutrition Knowledge
There are so many products on the grocery store shelves that it can feel overwhelming to choose the right items for your nutrition needs.
Deepening your knowledge about food and how it affects the body is a big reason to see an RDN.
When you meet with a registered dietitian nutritionist, they can provide you with an in-depth education not just about food and nutrition in general but specifically about what food you need to meet your health goals.
You’ll receive the tools needed to maintain your personalized meal plan, eliminating confusion and simplifying your grocery shopping experience.
No more staring helplessly in supermarket aisles!
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5. They Have the Expertise Needed to Help you Succeed
RDNs are gatekeepers of information—and not just about what to buy at the grocery store or how to meal plan according to someone’s needs.
Years of experience with clients combined with academic training gives dietitians an incredible amount of wisdom to share.
They’ve seen what works and what doesn’t to help you make realistic changes that last.
In addition to helping you decide what to eat, they can help you determine how to eat.
This means helping you find recipes you enjoy, what time of day works best for you, and more.
They can also help provide lifestyle advice that will make your journey easier.
From recommending nutritional supplements, to providing medical nutrition therapy, to sharing quick tips for everyday life—a nutritionist is an invaluable resource.
What Are the Benefits Of Working With a Dietitian vs Doing It Alone?
There are so many benefits of working with a dietitian vs doing it alone, including:
Coaching and Accountability
Anyone can read a book or article about nutrition and apply some of the concepts.
But a professional RDN is there by your side to ensure you’re implementing changes in a way that works with your lifestyle to meet your goals.
They can also help you work through inevitable roadblocks or setbacks and answer questions along the way.
Science-Based Advice
There is an overwhelming amount of conflicting information available about nutrition.
Some of it is misinformation, while some is dependent on your personal health history and background.
As experts in the field, RDNs base recommendations on science rather than fads or trends and know how to tailor advice to your needs.
Personalized Approach
Every person is unique, so a “one size fits all” approach to nutrition simply isn’t effective.
A dietitian considers your specific needs (including health history, age, genetics, living environment, preferences, and cooking skills) when creating a plan for you.
Understanding Underlying Issues
Dietitians are trained to understand the complexity of health and medical histories and how nutrition can best support you.
They can work as part of a healthcare team with other doctors or health professionals to ensure you receive the best care possible.
What To Ask During Your First Consultation
If you’ve made the decision to see a registered dietitian nutritionist, congratulations!
Your first session is designed to get to know each other.
While your RDN will ask you many questions, it’s also a great opportunity to ask questions of your own.
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What Are Your Certifications?
All registered dietitian nutritionists are credentialed by the Commision on Dietetic Registration (CDR), but some have additional certifications in weight management, diabetes care, sports nutrition, women’s health, intuitive eating, and more.
If you have a specific health reason for seeing an RDN, extra certifications may help you feel more confident in your choice.
What Are Your Specialties?
Just like you have different doctors with different specialties, dietitians also provide care for different populations.
From diabetes to eating disorders to digestive health, you can find a dietitian who specializes in your specific needs.
What is Your Approach?
Each registered dietitian nutritionist may have a different approach to nutrition counseling.
Some may focus on elimination diets or creating a plan based on lab results, while others may encourage intuitive eating or mindful eating practices.
It's important to work with someone whose approach resonates with you and aligns with your health goals.
What Can I Expect During the First Six Weeks?
Depending on your reasons for seeing a registered dietitian nutritionist, your first six weeks may look different.
Someone with digestive health issues may begin an elimination diet that takes time to complete, while someone with weight loss goals may have more frequent check-ins to track progress.
You and your RDN can discuss recommendations for a timeline and plan for your specific needs.
Can I Contact You Out of Hours?
Some RDNs communicate with clients outside of sessions via text or email for additional support, while others prefer to work only during nutrition counseling sessions.
You can ask about preferred communication methods and timing to make sure you’re on the same page.
See a Dietitian Online
If you’re still wondering, “How can a registered dietitian nutritionist help me?” Find out for yourself with Nourish!
Our dietitians provide a behavioral health approach to nutritional care to help you reach your health goals through a combination of food education and nutrition therapy.
Find a dietitian who accepts insurance through Nourish and get started today.
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