Registered Dietitian VS Nutritionist

• A Registered Dietitian is a trained food and nutrition expert. They are licensed professionals and recognized as experts in translating the scientific, medical, and nutritional evidence into practical information that can be used to help individuals, families and communities achieve better health.
• Registered Dietitians complete an accredited undergraduate degree, an accredited internship and successfully pass the Canadian Dietetic Registration Examination.
• In Ontario, Nutritionist is not a legally protected title. Nutritionists can have diverse levels of education, as specialized education is not a requirement. There is also no regulatory body that governs a Nutritionist’s practice. Nutritionists can still be a great resource and source of nutrition information.
• If you are wondering whether or not your provider is a Registered Dietitian or a Nutritionist, Registered Dietitians can be found through the regulatory body College of Dietitians of Ontario.

Where Do Dietitians Work?

Registered Dietitians can be found in a wide range of settings in Ontario, some of these include:

• Hospitals: Dietitians can be found in many hospital settings. They support and monitor the patients who are sick and require special diets due to medical conditions. A referral from a physician is often required to see a Dietitian in a hospital.
• Family Health Teams: Family Health Team Dietitians can help support patients with their nutrition and lifestyle concerns. Counselling and group programs are often only for patients of the family health team.
• Long-term Care Homes: All long-term care homes have a Registered Dietitian to help monitor and support the residents’ nutritional concerns and intake. The Dietitian’s services are usually available for anyone who lives in the home.
• Public Health Departments: Public Health Dietitians help support the community and provide information and resources to the public on a variety of nutrition topics. They also support policy development and several health promotion programs. Individual counselling is not available through a Public Health Dietitian.
• Private Practice: Private Practice Dietitians can help you develop a plan for your nutrition and lifestyle goals and can help you with a variety of health concerns. In most cases you do not need a referral to see a private practice Dietitian, however a fee will be charged for their services. Check your insurance plan because many plans cover the cost of a Registered Dietitian.

Speak to a Registered Dietitian

• Reach out to your primary physician or family doctor as they may be able to refer you to a Dietitian.
• Health Connect Ontario: Health Connect Ontario offers free nutrition information and advice to residents of Ontario. If you’re looking for guidance about food and healthy eating call 811 or start a chat on their website.
• Dietitians of Canada: Find a private practice Dietitian through the Find a Dietitian feature on Dietitians of Canada’s Website.

Each year, the Renfrew County and District Health Unit monitors local food affordability and food insecurity rates in Renfrew County and District.
To learn more about Food Affordability in Renfrew County and District click here.

General

• Canada’s Food Guide: Beyond the food guide, you can also find tips for eating, recipes, and information to help you achieve your food goals.
• UnlockFood.ca: Managed by Dietitians of Canada, UnlockFood.ca offers resources on a variety of nutrition topics for all ages.
• Cookspiration: Created by Dietitians of Canada, Cookspiration is an app that helps you find recipes for any time, or day of the week.
• Foodland Ontario: Learn about Ontario in-season produce, seasonal recipes and buying local food.
• Diabetes Canada: Diabetes Canada has resources, recipes and information to help manage type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes and prediabetes.
• Heart&Stroke: Find recipes and resources to help support heart health and healthy living.

Infants

• Find more information by visiting Infant Nutrition.

Children and Youth

• NutriSTEP®: Want to know more about your child’s food and nutrient intake, physical growth and development, physical activity and sedentary behaviours? Try the online questionnaire at: Nutri-eSTEP Nutrition Screening Tool for Toddlers and Preschoolers.
• The Ellyn Satter Institute: A resource for parents and caregivers who want to transform family meals into joyful, healthful, struggle-free events, free from drama and conflict. Learn to support your child in developing a positive eating relationship.
• Find more information on by visiting School Health Healthy Eating in Schools.

For Professionals

• Child Care Providers
• Schools