What are my options to support my nutrition journey? What’s the difference between a coach, RD, and CNS?
There are a lot of options available when it comes to nutrition and health; anything from self-help books to medical providers. Finding the right fit for you is important if you are going to invest time and money.
I’ll start this post today by briefly describing some of the available options for nutrition support. As mentioned above, there is no shortage of books on the topic of nutrition. However, I’m going to assume that if you are looking up nutritionists you have decided you want something more than a book. Fair enough, most books are steeped in diet culture and lead to long-term failure, and nobody has time for that. If you are wanting something to read I highly recommend “Intuitive Eating” by Evelyn Tribole and Elyse Resch.
Next, there are a lot of coaches around. Coaches can be a great option for someone who is feeling pretty good in their body (meaning not dealing with a lot of health problems or symptoms) but wants to work on nutrition or their relationship with food. Coaches can provide some support and accountability for those changes you are trying to make. When looking for a coach you want to find someone who does not require strict adherence to a predetermined program but sees the value in individual approaches to nutrition. I highly recommend looking at the Intuitive Eating counselor directory: https://www.intuitiveeating.org/certified-counselors/
Now we get to your providers who are able to provide medical nutrition therapy.
The nutrition professional you have likely heard mentioned the most is a Registered Dietician. These individuals have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in dietetics (in 2024 they will be required to have master’s degrees), had 1,000 hours of supervised practice, and took a board exam. They then applied for a license as an RD. Many RDs work with in-patient populations, meaning they work in facilities like hospitals and long-term care facilities. There are more RDs entering private practice though and working with out-patient clients. RDs are qualified to help you with your nutrition for your medical condition. They specialize in a range of conditions.
Certified Nutrition Specialists (CNS) have the highest nutrition certificate offered in the United States. They are required to have at least a master’s degree in human nutrition, undergo 1,000 hours of supervised clinical work, and take a board exam. Some states offer licenses for CNSs as well – the LDN license (Licensed Dietician Nutritionist). CNSs are trained in the functional medicine model. Meaning, they try to get to the root cause of your symptoms. These professionals are qualified to provide medical nutrition therapy for existing medical conditions, but also for pesky symptoms that don’t seem to have an explanation. Most CNSs will have an area of specialization which can be helpful when trying to find someone who understands your condition.
Both RDs and CNSs can be trained to work with eating disorders. It is important to work with a professional who has taken extra time to study and understand eating disorders. I recommend looking at the directory at EDRDPro: https://edrdpro.com/professional-directory/
All levels of care can help you on your nutrition journey, and all will provide preventative benefits for long-term health. Deciding what level of care you need depends on your circumstances. Hopefully, this explanation provides some clarity on who to seek out when looking for help. The last important element of working with any provider is that you feel a connection and a level of trust with the person you will be working with. Good luck on your health journey.
Warmly,
Melanee
she/her/hers
