Sometimes yes, sometimes no!
You wouldn’t ask a celebrity how to build a safe bridge, you’d ask a professional engineer. The same thinking should apply to nutrition advice. Dietitians are trained and regulated to ensure that you are your family receive safe and effective nutrition care, just like your dentist or family doctor.
The title “dietitian” is protected by law across Canada. This means only people who meet certain criteria and standards can call themselves a dietitian. “Nutritionist” is also a protected title in Alberta, Quebec, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, so in these provinces dietitian and nutritionist are equivalent. However, this isn’t the case elsewhere in Canada where anyone can call themselves a nutritionist.
To be sure, you are working with a qualified nutrition professional look for the initials RD or PDt (DtP in French) after the person's name. You can also ask – are you a dietitian?
Refer to the table below for details by province.
|
Province |
Protected titles and initials through provincial regulation |
|
British Columbia |
Registered Dietitian, Dietitian, RD
|
|
Alberta |
Registered Dietitian, Dietitian, Registered Nutritionist, Nutritionist, RD, Dietetic Intern and Provisional Dietitian
|
|
Saskatchewan |
Registered Dietitian, Dietitian, Professional Dietitian, RD, P.Dt
|
|
Manitoba |
Registered Dietitian, Dietitian, RD |
|
Ontario |
Registered Dietitian, Dietitian, RD
(en français) diététiste professionel(le), Dt.P
|
|
Quebec |
Dietitian, Nutritionist, Dietician, RD, P.Dt
(en français) diététiste, nutritionniste, diététicien, Dt.P
|
|
New Brunswick |
Dietitian, Dietician, Professional Dietitian, Registered Dietitian - Nutritionist, Registered Dietitian, P.Dt., R.D., RDN
(en français) diététiste, diététicienne, diététiste ou
diététicienne professionnelle, diététiste-nutritionniste, diététicienne-nutritionniste immatriculée, diététiste ou diététicienne immatriculée, Dt.P., Dt.I, Dt.N.I
|
|
Nova Scotia |
Dietitian, Nutritionist, P.Dt
|
|
Prince Edward Island |
Registered Dietitian, RD
|
|
Newfoundland and Labrador |
Registered Dietitian, Dietitian, RD |
Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut
|
Dietitians who live/work in the Territories are required to join a provincial regulatory body.
|
Why should I choose a dietitian?
Dietitians are qualified to give you nutrition advice and information. They have a degree in food and nutrition from an accredited university program. They complete practical training and have to pass a national licensing exam*. Like all regulated health professionals, dietitians must stay on top of new research, skills, and techniques. Dietitians do this by taking courses to improve their skills and knowledge every year. Dietitians are the best source for nutrition and food information.
Find out more about dietitian training and education
*Except in Quebec
Why see a provincially regulated health professional?
It’s one way you can be sure that the advice and information you are receiving is accurate and safe. You wouldn’t ask your neighbour who has an interest in medicine to provide you with medical advice. Dietitians are educated and trained to work with you to give you safe and personalized nutrition advice and information.
Dietitians, like engineers and medical doctors, need to meet the education and ethical standards set by the provincial regulatory bodies. Dietitians need to be registered with their provincial regulatory body to legally practice in Canada. These provincial regulatory bodies are in place to protect the public. Members of the public can contact their provincial regulatory body if they have a concern or complaint about a dietitian.
To find out if your nutrition provider is registered, go to the website for the regulatory body in your province.
Are Registered Holistic Nutritionists or Registered Nutritional Therapists the same as a Registered Dietitian?
There many people who claim to be nutrition experts and will offer nutrition advice without adequate training, education and safeguards. You want to make sure that you are getting the best advice and information from a qualified and experienced professional, especially if you have a medical condition or take multiple medications. Some nutrition providers use titles like:
-
Registered Holistic Nutritionist (RHN),
-
Certified Nutritional Practitioner (CNP),
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Registered Nutritional Therapist (RNT),
-
Registered Nutritional Consulting Practitioner (RNCP),
-
Natural Nutrition Clinical Practitioner (NNCP).
Titles like Registered Holistic Nutritionist and Certified Nutritional Practitioner are not the same as Dietitian. People using these titles are not provincially regulated health professionals. Dietitians are the only nutrition professionals regulated by law. Often people who have completed privately owned training programs use these titles. The length of training and education needed to use these titles vary.
How do I find a dietitian near me?
It’s easy to find a dietitian near you, visit Find a Dietitian. You can search by postal code, city, and/or health condition.
Many dietitians offer services virtually and most employee benefit plans cover dietitian services. Check your plan today. If your benefits don't cover dietitian services, share this resource with your employer.
You may also be interested in:
What's a Dietitian?
How can I find a dietitian near me?
Top 5 reasons to see a dietitian
What can I expect when I go and see a dietitian?
Where do dietitians work and what do they do?
What kind of training and education does a dietitian have in Canada?
Last Update – November 30, 2020