If you have diabetes, what you eat can have a big impact on your health. The right diet can help steady your blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels. Eating well can also keep you at a healthy weight.
But it’s more than just eating the right foods and staying away from others. How much and how often you eat are important, too. A registered dietitian (RD) or registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) -- they're the same thing -- is a specialist who’s trained to help you figure out a plan for all those things.
Another option is a nutritionist (different from an RDN). They can also give you advice about healthy eating, but they may have different or less training than an RD or RDN.
Which one is right for you depends on what your needs are. A good place to start is to learn the differences and expertise of each type of provider. You can also ask your doctor for their recommendation.
What Do Nutritionists and Dietitians Do?
Dietitians are trained to teach people about healthy eating. They often work in doctors' offices or hospitals, with the general public or people with health conditions such as diabetes. Some dieticians provide Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) for people with diabetes. This type of therapy can help you create a personalized eating plan based on your medical history and lifestyle.
Nutritionists can also help you make changes in your diet to feel better or improve your health. Nutritionists may work privately or in health care settings. Depending on their background, their advice could be helpful for the general public or people with different health conditions such as diabetes.
What Training Do They Get?
An RD or RDN must have:
- A master’s degree that typically includes courses in:
- Advanced food and nutrition sciences
- Food service systems management
- Business
- Economics
- Computer science
- Sociology
- Biochemistry, physiology, microbiology, and chemistry
- Public Health
- Statistics
- Completed an accredited, supervised practice program of at least 1,000 hours at a health care facility, community agency, or food service corporation
- Passed a national test given by the Commission on Dietetic Registration
They also have to complete continuing professional educational requirements to stay registered.
Nutritionists have different options for training. In some states, nutritionists need special training and a license. Other states don't require people to complete training before calling themselves a nutritionist. Unlicensed nutritionists might also call themselves “nutrition professionals.”
The Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS) is a nutritionist who has done training similar to that of a dietitian. They must have:
- A master’s degree in nutrition or other health science fields
- Completed 1,000 hours of supervised experience
- Passed a national test given by the Board for Certification of Nutrition Specialists
They also have to meet continuing professional education requirements to stay registered.
What Can You Expect From Your Visit?
Your doctor may refer you to an RD or RDN. Your first visit can last 45-90 minutes. You’ll go through your medical history and talk about the medicines you take. They’ll also ask about the kind of foods you like and how active you are. Then, they’ll help you set up daily meal plans that take all that into account. They might also help you set goals, such as lowering your blood sugar or losing weight.
You might need to make up to five follow-up visits during the next 6 months, depending on your progress and overall health. After that, you’ll have one each year. If you have diabetes, most insurance plans, including Medicare, cover a certain number of sessions with an RD or RDN.
You don't need a referral to see a nutritionist. In many cases, visiting a nutritionist is the same as visiting an RD or RDN. However, nutritionists might take a different approach, depending on their background and interests. A holistic nutritionist may focus on how food — along with your job and relationships — can affect your physical, mental, and emotional health. If your nutritionist is not an RD or RDN, then your insurance likely won't cover your visits.
Do You Need a Dietitian or a Nutritionist?
Healthy eating is essential to managing your diabetes symptoms. When you're seeking help for a medical condition, it's best to visit a dietitian (RD or RDN) with verified training and credentials. This will make sure that you’re getting a treatment plan based on the most recent scientific evidence.
That doesn't necessarily mean you should rule out seeing a nutritionist. Just be sure to ask questions about their training and experience before you follow their advice.
You may want to see a dietitian who is an expert in diabetes, such as a Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES).
What Is a CDCES?
A certified diabetes care and education specialist (CDCES) is trained to help you understand and manage diabetes. Most CDCESs are RNs or RDNs, but some may only have a master’s degree in a health science field. A CDCES can:
- Help you understand diabetes
- Answer your questions about the condition
- Give you and your family tips to manage and prevent it
- Explain how different foods make your blood sugar rise or fall
It might be a good idea to talk with a CDCES if you:
- Take a lot of different medications at different times
- Are on an insulin pump
- Need to continuously check your glucose levels
- Have other health conditions or challenges along with diabetes
A CDCES must pass a 175-question test about managing diabetes before they get their credential. They must re-earn it every 5 years.
If you work with a CDCES, you’ll start with a one-on-one session, where they’ll:
- Offer suggestions about your diet and ways to exercise
- Explain how your medications work
- Talk with you about any issues you have with controlling your diabetes
After that, you might have more one-on-one meetings, or they may recommend group classes. Most insurance plans cover these visits.
Takeaways
Deciding what, when, and how much to eat is important for managing and preventing diabetes. For evidence-based advice on all of that, visit a registered dietician (RD) or registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN). If you want help understanding diabetes, different medicines, and meal planning, visit a Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES). Nutritionists can also help but often have less training than dietitians and CDCESs.
Dietitian vs. Nutritionist FAQs
What services do nutritionists and dietitians offer?
Nutritionists and dietitians can teach you about healthy eating and help you plan meals to manage diabetes.
What are some red flags when choosing a nutritionist or dietitian?
If a nutritionist or dietitian lacks certifications or experience, those could be red flags. Watch out for nutrition “influencers” who encourage diets that are expensive to follow, or forbid entire food groups or certain foods. Ask your doctor for a referral to an RD, RDN, or CDCES to make sure that you get science-based advice from a professional.
Can a dietitian help with a vegetarian or vegan diet?
A registered dietitian can help you understand what those diets involve and if they’re a good choice for you.
Are the services of a nutritionist or dietitian covered by insurance?
If you have diabetes, your insurance may cover the services of a nutritionist or dietitian, especially if they are certified.
Can a dietitian help with weight loss?
A dietitian can work with you to create an eating plan that helps you lose weight.
