Registered Dietitians (RDs) or Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) are food and nutrition experts translating the science of nutrition into practical solutions for healthy living.

RDs/RDNs have met the following criteria and earned the RD or RDN credential:

• Completed a minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree

• Completed 1200 hours of supervised practice

• Passed a national examination

The majority of RDs/RDNs work in the treatment and prevention of disease (administering medical nutrition therapy, often part of medical teams), in hospitals, HMOs, private practice or other health-care facilities. In addition, a large number of RDs/RDNs work in community and public health settings and academia and research. A growing number of RDs/RDNs work in the food and nutrition industry, in business, journalism, sports nutrition, and corporate wellness programs.

Professionals who have met the aforementioned criteria may choose to use the RD or RDN credential after their names. Both credentials signify the same training.

From the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

Nutritionists:

Nutritional Assessment: Nutritionists assess individuals' dietary habits, lifestyle factors, and health goals to evaluate their nutritional needs and identify areas for improvement.

Nutrition Education: They provide personalized nutrition education and guidance to clients, offering information about balanced diets, portion control, healthy food choices, and strategies for achieving specific nutritional goals.

Meal Planning: Nutritionists develop customized meal plans based on clients' dietary requirements, preferences, and health conditions. They may create meal plans for weight management, specific health conditions (e.g., diabetes, heart disease), or specialized diets (e.g., vegetarian, gluten-free).

Counseling and Support: Nutritionists offer counseling and support to clients, addressing concerns related to weight management, food allergies, intolerances, and behavioral changes. They provide practical strategies and behavior modification techniques to help clients make sustainable dietary changes.

Health Promotion: They promote healthy eating habits and preventive nutrition by conducting workshops, seminars, and educational sessions in community settings or workplaces. They may also contribute to public health campaigns and initiatives.

Research and Evaluation: Some nutritionists may be involved in research projects, studying the effects of diet on various health outcomes, analyzing dietary trends, or evaluating nutrition programs and interventions.

Dietitians:

Medical Nutrition Therapy: Dietitians work as integral members of healthcare teams, providing medical nutrition therapy to individuals with specific medical conditions, such as diabetes, kidney disease, gastrointestinal disorders, and cancer. They develop personalized meal plans to manage symptoms, optimize nutrition, and support the overall treatment plan.

Clinical Assessment: Dietitians conduct comprehensive assessments to evaluate patients' nutritional status, including dietary intake, lab values, anthropometric measurements, and medical history. They use this information to develop tailored nutrition interventions.

Nutrition Counseling: They provide evidence-based nutrition counseling to patients, considering their medical conditions, medications, and dietary restrictions. Dietitians help patients understand and adhere to therapeutic diets, offering support, education, and monitoring to achieve health goals.

Food Service Management: Dietitians may work in food service settings, such as hospitals or long-term care facilities, where they oversee menu planning, develop nutritionally balanced meal options, ensure food safety standards, and train food service staff on dietary requirements.

Education and Training: Dietitians educate and train other healthcare professionals, students, and the general public on nutrition-related topics. They may conduct seminars, workshops, or training sessions for healthcare providers or contribute to educational materials and resources.

Research and Policy Development: Some dietitians engage in research endeavors, contributing to scientific studies and publications in the field of nutrition. They may also be involved in developing nutrition policies, guidelines, and standards at the institutional or governmental level.

It's important to note that the specific roles and responsibilities of nutritionists and dietitians can vary depending on the country, state/province, and regulatory requirements. However, both professionals play vital roles in promoting and optimizing nutrition for individuals and communities.

The "RD" credential is a legally protected title that can only be used by practitioners who are authorized by the Commission on Dietetic Registration of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Some RDs/RDNs may call themselves "nutritionists," but not all nutritionists are registered dietitian nutritionists.

In Vermont, virtually anyone can call him- or herself a "nutritionist" regardless of education or training.

Individuals with the RD/RDN credential have fulfilled specific requirements, including having earned at least a bachelor's degree (about half of RDs/RDNs hold advanced degrees), completed a supervised practice program and passed a registration examination — in addition to maintaining continuing education requirements for recertification.

 From the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

Certification for RDs/RDNs in Vermont protects the title of Certified Dietitian (CD). While the RD/RDN credential is a national standard, regulated by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND), CD status is regulated by the state of Vermont. The CD title is not intended to replace the RD credential, but rather to be used in conjunction with it.

To maintain CD status, practitioners must also maintain the RD/RDN credential and adhere to continuing education requirements. Every certified dietitian must complete 30 continuing education credits in a two-year renewal period in order to renew certification.

There are many different coaching programs and certification program. There is no standard education, training or regulation of health, wellness or nutrition coaches. Some coaches may have other health related training or education.

The International Coach Federation (ICF) defines coaching as partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential. Professional coaching focuses on setting goals, creating outcomes and managing personal change.

The ICF also provides information on how coaching is different from therapy. Therapy deals with healing pain, dysfunction and conflict within an individual or in relationships. The focus is often on resolving difficulties arising from the past that hamper an individual's emotional functioning in the present, improving overall psychological functioning, and dealing with the present in more emotionally healthy ways. Coaching, on the other hand, supports personal and professional growth based on self-initiated change in pursuit of specific actionable outcomes. These outcomes are linked to personal or professional success. Coaching is future focused. While positive feelings/emotions may be a natural outcome of coaching, the primary focus is on creating actionable strategies for achieving specific goals in one's work or personal life. The emphasis in a coaching relationship is on action, accountability and follow through.

From the International Coach Federation 

In Vermont, insurance coverage for nutrition services provided by nutritionists and dietitians can vary. It's important to check with individual nutritionists or dietitians and their respective practices to determine if they accept insurance and whether your specific insurance plan provides coverage for their services.

In the United States, insurance coverage for nutrition services can depend on factors such as the type of insurance plan (e.g., private health insurance, Medicare, Medicaid), the specific services being provided, and the credentials of the nutritionist or dietitian. Some insurance plans may cover nutrition counseling or medical nutrition therapy for specific medical conditions, such as diabetes or obesity, while others may provide more comprehensive coverage.

To find out if a nutritionist or dietitian in Vermont accepts insurance, consider the following steps:

Contact the nutritionist or dietitian: Reach out to the specific nutritionist or dietitian you are interested in working with and inquire about their insurance acceptance. They will be able to provide the most accurate information regarding their insurance policies.

Contact your insurance provider: Get in touch with your insurance company directly to inquire about coverage for nutrition services. Ask them about the specific services covered, any requirements or restrictions, and whether the nutritionist or dietitian you wish to see is within their network of providers.

Verify coverage: Once you have gathered the necessary information from both the nutritionist and your insurance provider, verify the coverage details and any potential out-of-pocket costs. This will help you determine if the services are covered by your insurance plan and the extent of coverage.

It's worth noting that some nutritionists and dietitians may offer a sliding fee scale or payment plans to accommodate individuals without insurance coverage or with limited financial resources. Additionally, certain clinics, community health centers, or government programs may provide subsidized or free nutrition services.

Remember to always confirm the insurance coverage and payment arrangements directly with the nutritionist or dietitian and your insurance provider to ensure accurate and up-to-date information.