Edited and reviewed by Tamzyn Murphy, RD, MSc (Dist).

Nutritional advice is essential for maintaining overall health and managing various medical conditions. However, the landscape of healthcare professionals who offer such guidance is diverse, each with distinct scopes of practice. Managing or treating various medical conditions using nutrition is called Medical Nutritional Therapy (MNT). Medical professionals’ nutritional scope of practice can generally be divided into two camps: those who can offer Medical Nutritional Therapy (MNT) and those that can’t (where the focus is on guidance and health promotion rather than treatment).  

Let’s explore the roles of different healthcare providers, including Registered Dietitian (RD), Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS), nutritionists, coaches, medical doctors (MDs), naturopathic doctors (NDs), nurse practitioners (NPs), and registered nurses (RNs), in providing nutritional advice.

Practitioners who can treat conditions using Medical Nutritional Therapy (MNT)

Registered Dietitians (RDs)

Registered Dietitians are healthcare professionals who have completed specific educational and professional requirements to earn the RD credential. They typically hold at least a bachelor’s degree in dietetics, nutrition, or a related field, along with completing a supervised practice program and passing a national exam.

RDs are trained to provide medical nutrition therapy (MNT) to manage and treat various health conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, and gastrointestinal disorders. They work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, community health programs, and private practice. RDs translate scientific research into practical dietary advice tailored to individual needs, considering factors like medical history, dietary preferences, and lifestyle.

Certified Nutrition Specialists (CNS)

Certified Nutrition Specialists are professionals with advanced degrees in nutrition or a related field, such as a master’s or doctoral degree. They have completed specific coursework and supervised practice hours in clinical nutrition, biochemistry, and physiology, among other subjects. After meeting these requirements, they must pass an exam administered by the Board for Certification of Nutrition Specialists (BCNS) to earn the CNS credential.

CNS practitioners often work in clinical settings, providing nutrition counseling and education to individuals with complex health conditions. They may also conduct research, develop nutrition programs, and work in academia or public health.

Naturopathic Doctors (NDs)

Naturopathic Doctors are trained in naturopathic medicine, which emphasizes a holistic approach to healthcare, focusing on natural therapies and prevention. NDs attend accredited naturopathic medical schools and receive extensive education in nutrition, botanical medicine, lifestyle counseling, and other alternative therapies.

NDs often incorporate nutritional counseling as a core component of their practice, offering personalized dietary recommendations to support overall health and address specific health concerns (MNT). They may also use dietary supplements and herbal remedies to complement dietary interventions.

Medical Doctors (MDs)

MDs, also known as physicians, are trained in conventional medicine and hold medical degrees (MD or DO). While MDs receive some education in nutrition during medical school, their primary focus is on diagnosing and treating medical conditions using evidence-based interventions, such as medications and surgeries.

In terms of nutritional advice, MDs may provide general guidance on healthy eating habits and may recommend dietary changes as part of overall treatment plans for certain conditions. However, their expertise in nutrition may vary, and they may refer patients to registered dietitians or nutrition specialists for more specialized dietary counseling.

Nurse Practitioners (NPs)

Nurse Practitioners are advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) who have completed graduate-level education and clinical training in a specialized area of healthcare. While NPs’ scope of practice varies by state and specialty, they are trained to assess, diagnose, and manage acute and chronic health conditions, often working autonomously or in collaboration with physicians.

In terms of nutritional advice, NPs may provide general dietary guidance as part of primary care or specialty practice. They may offer counseling on healthy eating habits, weight management, and nutrition-related lifestyle changes, referring patients to registered dietitians or other specialists for more in-depth dietary interventions when needed.

Those who use nutrition to promote and support health

Nutritionists

The term “nutritionist” is not regulated in the same way as “dietitian” or “CNS,” which means that individuals using this title may have varying levels of education and expertise. Some nutritionists have formal education and credentials in nutrition-related fields, while others may have completed short courses or self-study programs.

Nutritionists may work in a range of settings, including private practice, wellness centers, fitness facilities, and food service establishments. They often focus on general health and wellness, providing guidance on topics like weight management, sports nutrition, and healthy eating habits, and promoting good health through nutrition.

Coaches

Coaches, with diverse educational backgrounds and certifications, play a pivotal role in promoting holistic health through lifestyle interventions, including nutrition. While they don’t diagnose or treat medical conditions, their focus on empowering clients in sustainable lifestyle changes is paramount. Using motivational interviewing and behavior change techniques, they guide clients in setting realistic goals and adopting healthier eating habits, emphasizing balanced diets and reducing processed foods.

Their scope encompasses general health and wellness, offering education, support, and accountability to facilitate clients’ journeys towards better nutrition and overall well-being. Collaborating with clients to explore motivations and values related to food choices, coaches help foster healthier relationships with food. Though not equipped to provide specialized medical nutrition therapy, their emphasis on promoting health through nutritional strategies remains integral to empowering individuals to take control of their health.

Registered Nurses (RNs)

Registered Nurses play a crucial role in patient care, providing direct care, education, and support to individuals across various healthcare settings. While RNs typically do not provide extensive nutritional counseling, they may offer basic dietary guidance as part of patient education initiatives, especially in areas such as preventive care, chronic disease management, and patient advocacy.

RNs may collaborate with other healthcare professionals, such as dietitians, physicians, and NPs, to ensure patients receive comprehensive nutritional support as part of their overall care plan.

Key Considerations

Scope of Practice 

• RDs and CNSs are trained to provide medical nutrition therapy (MNT) and nutrition counseling for managing various health conditions. They often work in clinical settings alongside healthcare professionals. 
• MDs, NDs, and NPs may give MNT but each have unique scopes of practice regarding nutritional advice, ranging from general guidance to more specialized dietary counseling.
• RNs, nutritionists and coaches typically focus on promoting general health and wellness and may offer services in a broader range of settings.

Education and Training

• RDs and CNSs undergo rigorous education and training, including completion of specific coursework, supervised practice, and passing a national exam. 
• NDs often have extensive training in holistic nutrition and lifestyle medicine.
• MDs and NPs receive some education in nutrition as part of their training, 
• Coaches and nutritionists may have a diverse range of educational backgrounds and credentials related to nutrition and wellness. Some have formal education in nutrition science, dietetics, exercise science, or related fields, while others may have completed specific coaching or nutritionist certification programs or courses focused on nutrition counseling and/or behavior change.

Credentialing 

• RDs are credentialed by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR)
• CNSs are certified by the Board for Certification of Nutrition Specialists (BCNS). 
• NDs, MDs, NPs, and RNs hold credentials from their respective bodies.
• Nutritionists may or may not hold formal credentials, depending on their education and training.
• Coaches may hold coaching credentials from organizations such as the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM), the International Coach Federation (ICF), the Institute for Integrative Nutrition (IIN)

In conclusion, understanding the roles of different healthcare professionals in providing nutritional advice can help individuals make informed decisions about their healthcare needs. It also informs healthcare professionals about their scope of practice in order to provide the best and safest service to their patients and clients. Consulting with a Registered Dietitian, Certified Nutrition Specialist or Naturopathic Doctor can provide assurance of receiving high-quality, specialized nutrition care and treatment for various health conditions. Medical doctors, Nurse Practitioners and Registered nurses can also provide nutrition as treatment for medical conditions, with efficacy depending on their training and experience in the field of nutrition. Nutritionists and coaches offer varying levels of nutritional guidance depending on their training and experience, specializing in nutritional guidance and support, as well as health promotion through nutrition. Collaborative approaches that leverage the expertise of multiple providers can enhance the delivery of high-quality nutritional care tailored to individual patient needs and preferences.