“Dietitians skills lie in translating science into practice and separating fact from fiction when it comes to food and nutrients”

 

Dietitian vs Nutritionist

A nutritionist is a tertiary qualified person who is able to provide nutrition advice or ‘healthy eating advice’ to individuals without medical issues. They can work in the areas of public health, group work and community health.

A dietitian is a tertiary qualified person who is also a nutritionist and is able to provide medical nutrition therapy, group diet therapy and food service management.

Medical conditions can affect a person’s ability to absorb or utilise nutrients and can require addition or removal of certain nutrients. A dietitian can help navigate what to do to ensure a balanced diet for that particular medical condition.

 

Common reasons people see a dietitian

• Allergies and intolerances
• Deficiencies eg. anaemia
• Diabetes
• Gastrointestinal (bowel) disorders
• Heart disease (blood pressure, cholesterol, weight)
• Kidney disease
• Liver disease
• Neuro-disabilities (with eating and feeding difficulties)
• Osteoporosis
• Overweight and obesity
• Physical and mental disabilities
• Poly Cystic Ovary Syndrome
• Poor intake and weight loss (due to conditions such as Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinsons, Motor Neurone Disease, Dementia)
• Respiratory conditions eg. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
• Vegetarian/Vegan eating

Paediatrics

• First foods
• Eating and feeding difficulties
• Fussy eating
• Weight and growth
• Faltering growth
• Bowel conditions
• Allergies and intolerances
• Enteral nutrition