What Is a Dietitian? How They Can Help You
Nutrition & FitnessDiet & Nutrition

What a Dietitian Does — and How They Can Help You

What a Dietitian Does — and How They Can Help You
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Updated on February 10, 2026
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A lot of people out there are quick to dole out nutrition advice. But who should you really trust? Hint: It may not be that influencer you’re following on Instagram or TikTok.

Rather, there is so much you can learn from a dietitian, or technically, a registered dietitian-nutritionist (RDN). “RDNs are uniquely trained to provide expert advice on a wide variety of nutrition and health topics and are the only accredited healthcare providers that offer medical nutrition therapy,” says Justine Karduck, PhD, RDN, the director of the didactic program in dietetics at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and a certified diabetes care and education specialist (CDCES).

Here, learn more about how a dietitian can advise you on improving your eating habits, facilitating weight loss, managing a chronic condition through diet, and more.

What Is a Registered Dietitian-Nutritionist?

An RDN’s role as a healthcare professional is to help teach you about the basics of healthy eating, develop a diet for weight gain or loss, or help you manage chronic diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes, or cancer, says Jennifer Bruning, RDN, a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics in Chicago. In addition, they can help you navigate eating when you are living with a food allergy or intolerance, and if you are recovering from an eating disorder, she adds.

Even if you don’t have a health complication, dietitians can help with meal plans that optimize athletic performance and recovery, a field known as sports nutrition. Whether you are looking to gain weight, lose weight, or change your diet due to a health condition, an RDN can work with you to develop a nutrition plan that fits your needs.

To earn the RDN title, someone has at least a graduate degree and has completed course work accredited or approved by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics, has completed an accredited supervised practice program (which lasts 6 to 12 months), and has passed a national exam administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration, according to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

 To maintain the RDN credential, they also complete continuing educational requirements.

What's the Difference Between a Registered Dietitian-Nutritionist and a Registered Dietitian?

You may see nutrition pros with an RDN or RD (registered dietitian) after their name. So, what’s the difference? “There isn’t one! The two credential options are identical in their meaning,” says Bruning.

You might also notice that an expert includes additional letters after their RD or RDN credential. These might include LD (licensed dietitian), LDN (licensed dietitian-nutritionist), or CDN (certified dietitian-nutritionist).

These are state licenses, and the letters vary by state. While an RDN or RD is a national registration, these state credentials signal that the dietitian is also licensed to practice in their state, which is also important. “Many states choose to require licensure or title protection for dietitians to ensure that the public receives medical nutrition therapy and other forms of nutrition counseling from credentialed practitioners with the verified knowledge and experience needed to do so safely,” Bruning says.

Is a Nutritionist the Same as a Registered Dietitian?

No. Anyone can call themselves a nutritionist; the term is completely unregulated. This is, in part, where the title of RDN came from. The “N” was devised for additional clarification. “The option to add 'N' for 'nutritionist' was added to help the public to understand that while all dietitians are nutritionists, not all nutritionists are dietitians,” she says.

How Is a Registered Dietitian Different From a Certified Health Coach?

A certified health coach focuses on creating behavioral changes to get you to your health goals. Specifically, they “partner with clients seeking to enhance their well-being through self-directed, lasting changes, aligned with their values,” according to the National Board for Health and Wellness Coaching.

Some health coaches are RDNs and have a Certificate of Training from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. There are also personal trainers certified through agencies such as the American Council on Exercise (ACE) who have also earned an ACE Health Coach Certification and can use this to help their clients practice a healthy lifestyle and promote general well-being.

Dietitians have typically sought out additional programs to focus on a particular area of practice. Your best bet is to first look for an RDN and then look at their areas of specialty. Bruning points out that an easy way to do this is to use the Find a Nutrition Expert tool on EatRight.org. First, you’ll search via your city, state, and zip and then use the drop-down “Specialty” box and check the expertise you’re searching for. Culinary arts; integrative, complementary, and alternative nutrition; and vegetarian nutrition are among the 30 specialties listed.

You can also ask about their training and work experience, notes Dr. Karduck. “Any RDN should provide a prospective patient a summary of their skill set, and if they are not the appropriate RDN for the job, they can refer you to another RDN with that level of expertise,” she says.

Are There RDNs Who Can Specialize in Keto, Intermittent Fasting, and Other Popular Dietary Approaches?

There aren’t credentials specifically for those areas. That said, all RDNs should be staying on top of diet trends, says Bruning. This way, they can advise any patients who are interested in trying these approaches on things like safety and nutrition. “There are many dietitians willing to engage individuals who would like to learn more about these styles or patterns of eating and can give guidance on how to do so healthfully,” Bruning says, who recommends looking for an RD-RDN who notes that they specialize in one of these types of diets. (This information is often easily found on their website, if they have one.)

What Type of Dietitian Should I Look for if I Have a Disability or Another Health Concern?

If you have a medical condition, “it’s vital that you have a properly trained and credentialed nutrition practitioner to help you,” says Bruning. An RD-RDN has “a strong knowledge of various conditions, including but not limited to: overweight and obesity, endocrine disorders, cancer, malnutrition, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and renal diseases,” adds Karduck.

In other words, for help with a chronic condition, you can feel confident that an RD-RDN is qualified to help you. That said, finding one with additional certifications can be helpful. Here’s what to look for.

If You Have a Chronic Condition

Diabetes CDCES is a credential awarded by the Certification Board for Diabetes Care and Education, notes the Association of Diabetes Care and Education Specialists.

Chronic Kidney Disease Look for someone who is a board-certified specialist in renal nutrition (CSR), per the Commission on Dietetic Registration.

Cancer The Commission on Dietetic Registration also has a board-certification for specialists in oncology nutrition (CSO).

Heart Disease or High Blood Pressure Look for a dietitian who specializes in CV-WELL, a dietetic practice group of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. CV-WELL stands for cardiovascular health and well-being. You can find a qualified expert through the Academy’s search tool and clicking on “Heart Health–Heart Disease–High Blood Pressure" in the "Specialty" drop-down menu.

If You Are Pregnant

Consider an RD-RDN who is also a certified lactation counselor (CLC). “An RD specializing in pregnancy and lactation is great for someone pregnant or looking to become pregnant,” says Bruning. They can also continue to offer support if you decide to breastfeed.

If You Have an Eating Disorder

Consider an RD who is a certified eating disorders specialist (CEDS), certified by the International Association of Eating Disorders Professionals.

The Takeaway

  • An RDN is a healthcare professional uniquely trained to provide expert advice on a wide range of nutrition and health topics.
  • They can help improve your eating habits, facilitate weight loss or weight gain, and manage a chronic condition through a diet plan tailored to your health needs.
  • If you have a medical condition, finding an RDN with the appropriate certification can be helpful.
EDITORIAL SOURCES
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
Resources
  1. Dietitian. Cleveland Clinic. December 19, 2024.
  2. Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Fact Sheet. Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
  3. Specialized Certification – Dietitian and Nutritionist Abbreviations Explained. BecomeaNutritionist.org.
  4. What Is a National Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach? National Board for Health & Wellness Coaching.
  5. Credentials for Diabetes-Focused Health Professionals. Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists (ADCES).
  6. Specialty Practice Experience. Commission on Dietetic Registration.
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Jennifer Frediani

Jennifer Frediani, PhD, RD

Medical Reviewer

Jennifer K. Frediani, PhD, RD, ACSM-CES, is a nutrition scientist, exercise physiologist, and registered dietitian with over two decades of experience in clinical research, education, and lifestyle intervention. She's an assistant professor, research track, at the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing at Emory University, adjunct faculty in the nutrition and health sciences program at the Rollins School of Public Health, and a member of the Winship Cancer Institute.

Dr. Frediani earned her PhD in nutrition science from Emory University, and a master’s in exercise science and a bachelor’s in nutrition and dietetics from Georgia State University. Her doctoral research focused on body composition and dietary assessment among tuberculosis patients in the Republic of Georgia, and her postdoctoral work explored nutritional influences on pediatric liver disease.

She has published widely in journals such as Nature Scientific Reports, The New England Journal of Medicine, Clinical Nutrition, and Progress in Cardiovascular Diseases.

At Emory, she directs adult clinical studies for the NIH RADx initiative, overseeing trials on novel diagnostics for infectious diseases. She also leads the development of Emory’s fully online master of science in clinical nutrition program, designed to prepare future registered dietitian nutritionists through integrated coursework and supervised experiential learning.

Her research focuses on weight-neutral lifestyle interventions to improve cardiometabolic outcomes, with a special emphasis on dietary assessment, physical activity, and metabolomics.

Frediani’s teaching philosophy centers on creating inclusive, student-driven learning environments that foster critical thinking and professional growth. She is passionate about reducing weight stigma in clinical care and promoting sustainable, individualized approaches to food and movement.

Outside of work, Frediani is an avid runner and food enthusiast who travels the world to explore culinary traditions and cultural foodways. She believes that everyone deserves to enjoy food that nourishes both body and soul — without shame or restriction.

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Jessica Migala

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Jessica Migala is a freelance writer with over 15 years of experience, specializing in health, nutrition, fitness, and beauty. She has written extensively about vision care, diabetes, dermatology, gastrointestinal health, cardiovascular health, cancer, pregnancy, and gynecology. She was previously an assistant editor at Prevention where she wrote monthly science-based beauty news items and feature stories.

She has contributed to more than 40 print and digital publications, including Cosmopolitan, O:The Oprah Magazine, Real Simple, Woman’s Day, Women’s Health, Fitness, Family Circle, Health, Prevention, Self, VICE, and more. Migala lives in the Chicago suburbs with her husband, two young boys, rescue beagle, and 15 fish. When not reporting, she likes running, bike rides, and a glass of wine (in moderation, of course).

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