If you’re interested in healthy eating and preventing obesity and diabetes, maybe you’ve thought of translating your interest in nutrition into a profession by educating people about healthy food choices and a balanced lifestyle. You’ve heard talk of registered dietitians and holistic nutritionists, but how do you know which career path is right for you?

We break down the differences and similarities between the professions so you can make the right decision.

Education

While registered dietitians and holistic nutritionists both study nutrition, they differ greatly in their respective programs of learning.

In Canada, becoming a registered dietitian (RD) is government-regulated, and to become an RD you must complete an undergraduate degree from a Dietitians of Canada accredited school (there are 16 programs across the country), complete an accredited hands-on internship/practicum, and pass an examination. This program is very science-focused, so students with difficulties grasping scientific concepts might be better suited to the holistic nutrition route.

Holistic nutrition, on the other hand, is a non-government-regulated profession that trains practitioners through programs that use both practical science and healing knowledge found in traditional cultures. The Canadian School of Natural Nutrition (CSNN) is one school that offers training in natural nutrition aiming to promote health in a holistic way, (meaning body, mind, and spirit). The prerequisites are a high school diploma, with exceptions made for mature students, though many enter the program with existing degrees and diplomas. 

Approach

Both registered dietitians and holistic nutritionists are interested in promoting the health and education of clients; however, they take a different approach to their practice.

RDs base their nutrition guidance on the latest science and work in a variety of practice environments, including community health centers, public health, with other health care professionals, in the food industry, or in private practice. “I think, some years ago, we got a bad rep and we were only seen as people in hospitals who told people what not to eat, as opposed to encouraging people to eat healthy foods,” says Marlene Wyatt, director of professional affairs for the Dietitians of Canada. “We look at issues like food security; we’re very interested in that because obviously you can’t have a good diet if you’re not food-secure. There’s a lot of passion put into the profession to make sure that people have the tools available to them to be healthy and have good nutrition.”

Holistic nutritionists have a broader view of nutrition. They “assess their clients’ nutritional deficiencies, taking into consideration the influence of the environment, the lifestyle, and the state-of-mind of the client,” says Vivian Lee, the licensed manager of the Toronto branch of the CSNN. “They prepare meal plans, recommend natural nutrition supplements, and make lifestyle recommendations. Holistic nutritionists optimize their clients’ health by identifying and helping correct nutritional deficiencies.  They design client-focused whole foods menu plans and lifestyle programs for their clients and coach them on their path to healing.”

Opportunities

Service Canada classifies dietitians and nutritionists under the same career category, and notes that “in recent years, the number of dietitians and nutritionists has increased sharply. This increase may be explained by the aging of the population, growing public concern about healthy eating, increased government spending in the health sector, and the exacerbation of health problems due to obesity and the growing use of the services of dietitians to prevent and treat health problems. Given that these trends should continue, the number of dietitians and nutritionists should increase sharply over the next few years.” The average annual growth rate anticipated from 2011–2015 is 2.7 per cent, over three times greater than the average growth rate anticipated by all occupations. Service Canada also reports that employment opportunities will arise due to employment increase and the retiring of current nutritionists and dietitians; these positions are expected to be filled mainly by recent university and college graduates.

Wyatt reports that there are currently over 10,000 dietitians in Canada, and says that “the last time we did a graduate survey, which was about three years ago, all of our students were employed 100 per cent between four to six months of graduating.”

Whether you decide to pursue a career in dietetics or natural nutrition, it’s important to do your research and speak to program representatives before you head on your path of nutrition education.

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