At Vancouver Coastal Health, dietitians work in various areas and settings, such as acute care, rehabilitation, ambulatory clinics, residential care, community, and food services. Take this opportunity to acknowledge the dietitian on your team on National Dietitians’ Day – March 18, 2015!

March 18th is National Dietitians’ Day, a day that spotlights dietitians as the smart choice for advice on good nutrition and healthy living. Dietitians are healthcare professionals committed to using their specialized knowledge and skills in food and nutrition to improve the health of Canadians.

Dietitian vs nutritionist

What’s the difference between a dietitian and a nutritionist? Dietitians have a university degree specializing in food and medical nutrition therapy as well as 1250 hours of practical training. They must pass a national registration exam to become a regulated professional. The title ‘dietitian’ is protected by law, just like physician or nurse. ‘Nutritionist’ is not a protected title – that means anyone can use it. Look for the letters RD for registered dietitian.

In British Columbia, registered dietitians are regulated by the College of Dietitians of BC, so you can be sure that you are receiving safe, accurate and ethical nutrition information and advice from dietitians.

Trusted nutrition experts

Registered dietitians are your trusted nutrition experts and are trained to advise you on food, diet, and nutrition. They translate the science of nutrition into practical advice and solutions for healthy living. It is the role of the dietitian to discern between fact and fiction giving people the tools to make realistic eating behavior changes.