There are times in life when your healthcare provider may recommend the additional support of a registered dietitian or nutritionist to help with disease control and wellness. If this happens, how do you know whom to contact for your needs? There is some overlap because they provide nutrition support, but there are distinct benefits for each professional.

• A registered dietitian can create a nutrition plan specifically for you and your body type for proper weight management. The nutrition plan and support provided can help you make long-term wellness choices.
• A registered dietitian has four years of training to understand diseases like diabetes, high cholesterol, celiac disease, and food allergies to help you make healthy nutrition choices that can stave off and minimize the effects of disease.
• Registered dietitians usually work in formal settings like hospitals, clinics, and doctor's offices.
• Nutritionists don't have to have a formal nutrition degree but can work with people on weight management and wellness issues. A nutritionist can also be a registered dietitian, so be sure to clarify the level of education of someone you engage for nutrition advice.
• Nutritionists also work well with the emotional support of those using nutrition plans for weight management and disease control.