If the two terms are often interchanged, nutritionists and dieticians nevertheless exercise different jobs and should not be consulted for the same reasons. And this even if it would be necessary, to be completely exact, to distinguish dietitians and physician-nutritionists. Explanations.
Watch out for diplomas
One clarification is in order: medical nutritionists are medical doctors specializing in nutrition. Dieticians do not have a medical degree, but remain health professionals, recognized as such: “the term” dietitian “is protected”, explains Stéphanie Dufant, dietitian in Vitry-sur-Seine. “The Public Health Code explains that it can only designate professionals who have completed a BTS Dietetics or a DUT Biological Engineering, diet option.”
Why write it down? Because if some dieticians attach it to their primary function, the name “nutritionist” is not protected. “Anyone can use it without a problem” continues the expert. It is in particular the case of some nutritionist coaches “who do not have recognized diplomas. When you consult someone, you must verify that it is indeed a dietitian with an Adeli number [le répertoire national d’identification des professionnels de santé, ndlr.] or a qualified doctor. “
Who to consult, and why?
The mission of the doctor-nutritionist? “Make nutritional assessments. For example, he will prescribe blood tests to check whether the patient suffers from certain vitamin or micronutrient deficiencies, but also from malnutrition problems or blood sugar or cholesterol disorders, explains Stéphanie Dufant. He can then offer treatment, nutritional or dietary support, or even food supplements if he thinks it is appropriate. “
A dietitian, him, “can not do health checks or prescribe drugs. He will focus on the practical and the organization of daily life. How to change your diet, for example, if you have an iron deficiency detected by doctor.” In short, if the two professions are quite distinct, they are also complementary.
A practical case
“If you want to reorganize your diet, know if you are eating correctly or how to choose quality foods, call a dietitian, further explains the expert. But if, for example, you want to move towards a more plant-based diet, it would be wise to have a check-up with a doctor-nutritionist who will analyze the different parameters, check that you have no deficiencies and that this new diet does not exist. ‘will not create any. “
You are then free to consult a dietitian for recipe ideas. And this even if “Some physician-nutritionists also give practical advice. In all cases, we can go in either direction, from the physician-nutritionist to the dietitian and vice versa. And it can also happen to me to direct someone who does not have a nutritionist to an attending physician to take a blood test. “ The most important thing being, in life and in terms of food, to be well surrounded.
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