Are you looking for a nutrition professional to help you change your diet?
A range of alternative and complementary (CAM) healthcare therapies are available nowadays. It’s great that there are so many options, but it feels overwhelming if you don’t know which therapy is right for you.
Today, we’ll help you understand the difference between a nutritional therapist, nutritionist, dietician, and naturopath. We’ll explore these professions and the qualifications needed to practise.
What is the difference between a nutritional therapist, nutritionist, and dietician?
The titles nutritional therapist, nutritionist, and dietician have similar meanings – they’re all experts in diet and nutrition. However, there are a few key differences.
So, what are the differences?
A nutritional therapist (NT) is a holistic health therapist who works with individuals to relieve chronic health issues using diet changes and supplements. Nutritional therapy believes in the principles of food as medicine and recognises that every person is biochemically individual and needs a unique dietary approach.
Nutritional therapists use functional testing to find the root cause of health symptoms. They may use detoxification protocols, high-dose vitamin therapy, elimination diets, and antimicrobial protocols to support the body.
Nutritional therapists are patient-centred, working in private practice and consulting patients one-on-one. However, they may also work in corporate environments, guiding workshops on nutrition and health.
That said, it is a complementary therapy, which isn’t recognized by law. You must pay for nutritional therapy privately as it’s not free on the NHS.
A nutritionist uses individualised dietary recommendations to help people achieve optimal health. In many cases, nutritionists and nutritional therapists are interchangeable. However, nutritionists may also work with professional sports teams or in public health, research, product development, or food labelling.
A dietitian (or RD) is a healthcare professional who assesses, diagnoses, and treats dietary and nutritional problems. Dietitian is the only food and nutrition title protected by law.
Dietitians give dietary advice based on scientific research. They are typically part of a medical team and treat pre-diagnosed issues like eating disorders, obesity, kidney disease, cancer, HIV, malabsorption disorders, diabetes, and heart disease. They may work in private practice, hospitals, clinics, and community health centres. Dietitian services are available on the NHS as well as medical insurance.
What is the difference between these therapies and naturopathy?
A naturopath is a holistic health professional that believes in “healing through nature.” However, naturopaths use nutrition as just one piece of the overall healing puzzle.
Naturopaths study nutrition, herbalism, aromatherapy, massage, hydrotherapy, and lifestyle medicine. With the help of these healing tools, they identify the root cause of health issues and develop a unique treatment plan to support your body and mind.
Naturopaths and nutritional therapists overlap in their approaches — they both use functional testing, supplements, detoxification, and dietary changes to support health. However, naturopaths cover a much broader range of treatments and address all aspects of your health.
What qualifications do they require?
Dietetics is the only profession regulated by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), the UK health regulator. Dietitians must complete a BSc Hons in Nutrition and Dietetics or an undergraduate science degree and a Dietetics postgraduate degree. They study approved courses like human nutrition, biochemistry, physiology, diet therapy, food processing, research, and data analysis. Dietitians must register with the British Dietetic Association (BDA).
Nutritionists may have a degree in Human Nutrition, Public Health Nutrition, or Sport and Exercise Nutrition.
Nutritional therapy and naturopathy aren’t regulated professions, and there is no specific path to qualification. However, NTs are encouraged to study for a degree from a provider accredited by the Nutritional Educational Commission. NTEC-accredited nutritional therapy courses meet National Occupational Standards.
Fully qualified naturopaths may need to complete a diploma in Naturopathy or another undergraduate degree that meets the criteria set out by The General Council and Register of Naturopaths (GCRN).
You can find out more about accredited courses for NT and naturopathy from the following professional bodies:
- British Association for Nutrition and Lifestyle Medicine (BANT)
- The Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC)
- The British Naturopathic Association
How do I find a qualified nutritionist, nutritional therapist, dietitian, or naturopath?
When looking for a qualified professional in one of these areas, ask for recommendations from close friends, family, or trusted healthcare providers.
We also encourage you to use our Treatwiser Practitioner Directory. You can narrow your search based on qualifications, professional body membership, and location.
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