Is there a difference between a dietitian and a nutritionist?

There is a BIG difference between a nutritionist and a registered dietitian nutritionist (RD or RDN). Although, RDs and nutritionists commonly have similar goals- help people eat better, they are not the same.

In the US, RDs must meet very specific requirements set forth by the Commission of Dietetic Registration (CDR) and the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). RDs have a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in nutrition, dietetics or nutrition sciences. The two agencies previously mentioned work together to ensure all RDs enter the workforce with similar training, competencies, and education throughout their careers. To continue to practice RDs must remain competent in their field by accruing a set numbers of continuing education hours and reporting to the CDR. 

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What does the CDE stand for at the end of your credentials ?

Certified Diabetes Educator. This is a separate from being a dietitian.  Which allows me to teach every aspect of diabetes including medication, insulin instruction, and of course nutrition. Below you can see the actual description from the National Certification Board for Diabetes Educators (NCBDE) website, www.ncbde.org.

A Certified Diabetes Educator® (CDE®) is a health professional who possesses comprehensive knowledge of and experience in prediabetes, diabetes prevention, and management. The CDE® educates and supports people affected by diabetes to understand and manage the condition. A CDE® promotes self-management to achieve individualized behavioral and treatment goals that optimize health outcomes.

The Certification Examination for Diabetes Educators (Examination) is designed and intended for health professionals who have responsibilities that include the direct provision of diabetes self-management education (DSME), as defined by NCBDE.