October 11, 2018 by Deborah Penner
The word “nutrition” comes from the Latin term nutrire, meaning to feed or nourish. In its simplest definition, nutrition is the process by which living organisms take in and utilize food substances.
A nutritionist is someone who educates and advises on nutrition, but the term “nutritionist” and “dietitian” are not interchangeable. While both provide guidance on food and health, their roles, training, and even professional limitations are quite different.
In the United States, the title Registered Dietitian (RD) is reserved for individuals who have completed a state-approved degree program, typically involving coursework in clinical nutrition, food science, and medical nutrition therapy. RDs often work in hospitals, healthcare settings, or public health programs and are trained to create diet plans for individuals with medical conditions.
A nutritionist, on the other hand, is any knowledgeable professional who provides guidance on food and health. This could include:
For example, Dr. Oz is a nutritionist. So are well-respected health experts like Dr. Andrew Weil, Dr. David Perlmutter, Dr. Christiane Northrup, Dr. Joseph Mercola, and Gary Taubes—all of whom provide nutritional education but do not hold the RD credential.
As a Doctor of Chiropractic, I received my degree from Western States University in Portland, Oregon, a broad-scope school that provided extensive training in:
Although California’s scope of practice limits me from performing procedures like blood draws or minor surgeries, it does allow me to provide advanced nutritional counseling. With decades of experience specializing in metabolic nutrition, I have spent my career helping patients heal through food-based interventions.
So, while I am not a Registered Dietitian, I am a nutritionist—one with a strong foundation in science-backed, functional nutrition strategies that have helped countless patients reclaim their health.
Unfortunately, due to deep ties between the healthcare industry and corporate food production, only Registered Dietitians (RDs) can typically bill insurance for nutritional counseling.
This is not because RDs are the only qualified professionals to provide dietary guidance—it’s because the factory food industry, pharmaceutical companies, and insurance providers have a vested interest in controlling the nutritional narrative.
If people followed truly nutrient-dense, whole-food diets, they would experience:
And if people were healthier, would they need expensive medications, procedures, and hospital stays? Not nearly as often.
For decades, the advice promoted by major health organizations has contributed to rising rates of chronic disease. The epidemic levels of diabetes, heart disease, anxiety, and metabolic disorders in the U.S. are directly linked to diet, yet many mainstream recommendations continue to ignore the role of ultra-processed foods, refined grains, and excess sugar.
It’s no surprise that the biggest financial backers of the Registered Dietitian industry are the very corporations that profit from illness.
For more on how the food industry influences nutrition policy, check out this article: How the Food Industry Funds Dietitian Programs
As a nutritionist, I have no allegiance to industry-funded organizations or corporate agendas.
I base my approach on:
The results I see in my practice are consistent and undeniable: When people shift to a whole-food diet, reduce processed carbohydrates, and support metabolic health, their bodies heal.
