Marika Day: What Do Dietitians and Nutritionists Do, and When Should You See One?

When you’ve got two professions both specialising in diet and nutrition, it’s pretty natural to assume they’re interchangeable (and a bit confusing!). But there are a few different ways dietitians and nutritionists can support you on your journey to good health.

Dietitians, who need to complete a degree to receive accreditation, can provide support across a range of medical conditions, like irritable bowel syndrome, cardiovascular disease, or diabetes, as well as eating disorders.

Nutritionists on the other hand, don’t need formal qualifications to practice and focus more on healthy eating.

Both dietitians and nutritionists can provide support to clients wanting to lose or maintain their weight in a healthy, sustainable way.

If you’re not feeling amazing and want to change some unhealthy habits, or have been diagnosed with a medical condition, it’s a good time to see a professional.

Get ready to answer a lot of questions at your first appointment! We want to know all about your eating habits; not only what you eat, but what motivates you around your food choices. Is budget or stress a factor? What your partner or family is eating?

If you’re seeing a dietitian, there’ll be lots of questions about your medical history and symptoms as well. It’s important we’re aware of any conditions impacting your life, even if they might be uncomfortable to talk about. 

Dietitians will always provide you with some form of dietary support. If someone is low in iron, we may provide some advice around supplements, but we don’t prescribe medication. Some dietitians and nutritionists may also provide meal plans.

Seeing a dietitian or nutritionist is a bit like seeing a psychologist – you’ll rarely see results from one consultation. For some, a few sessions might be enough, while for more complex symptoms, it might take weekly sessions over several months.

One of the biggest misconceptions is that we’re judging your food choices. We’re definitely not! Our job is to support you in making healthy changes in your life. Shame is not a healthy motivator, so if you’re feeling emotions like that after seeing any health professional, it’s time to find someone else.

Often, when it comes to diet, we have this gung-ho, all-or-nothing approach. We tell ourselves we’ll commit to the “perfect healthy diet” but there’s no such thing. That sort of mindset is inviting failure – it’s like going to the gym and starting with the heaviest weight.

But with professionals like dietitians and nutritionists, we can educate and support you to make small, healthy changes in your life. We provide a balanced, goals-oriented approach to help you through your journey one step at a time. 

Marika Day is a nutritionist and Accredited Practising Dietitian who knows what the body needs to function at its best. With more than five years’ experience in the health and fitness industry, Marika's holistic approach to diet and exercise is tried and true. The information in this article is general information only and is not intended as medical, health, nutritional or other advice. You should obtain professional advice from a medical or health practitioner in relation to your own personal circumstances.