michelle@thegoodhealthshop.co.za
039 315 5351

Many people mistakenly use the terms “dietitian” and “nutritionist” interchangeably. Although these two professions are undoubtedly related, my personal view is that nutritionists are under the healthcare umbrella, while dietitians are a part of the sickness industry. How do I get to make that statement?

A dietitian is a professional who is regulated by law and holds a degree in dietetics. Dietitians work closely with GPs and GPs often refer their patients if there is an indication of diabetes, obesity, anorexia or high cholesterol. They give dietary advice and develop special-needs diets. Dietitians may work in a hospital environment where special feeding such as tube feeding is required. Dietitians place high importance on calorie counting and often set their patients meal plans according to calories consumed per day. Dietitians would, for example, recommend sugar-free food and drinks to a diabetic patient. Dietitians generally use food supplements in the case of obvious deficiency.

Nutritional Therapists see food in the context of healing, and each patient as an individual. Certain choices like artificial sweeteners are recognised as toxic and never recommended, even to diabetic patients. Nutritionists use diet, nutraceuticals, functional foods, nutritional supplements and detoxification to help people regain or maintain maximum health. Optimally drug-free in nature, nutritionists follow the science that every cell in the body has the ability to heal itself and it is a non suppressive approach. Nutritional therapists see their all their patients as unique, all with individual dietary and nutritional needs. They believe that health is not just the absence of disease but the presence of physical, mental and emotional well being. They are interested in helping their patients retain or take back optimal health and not just prevent deficiency diseases. People who seek nutritionists have taken responsibility for their health and this makes patient compliance a lot easier.
Borrowed words from Refresh Nutrition