Nutrition
What is
Nutrition & Dietetics?
Nutrition and dietetics is a field of science dedicated to understanding the intricate relationship between food, health, and human well-being. It explores how nutrients in food impact our body’s functioning and overall health.
Nutrition is about understanding how the body uses nutrients, the relationship between diet and disease prevention, and the impact of dietary choices on health.
Dietitians are board-certified nutrition experts who are members of a regulatory body. Dietitians practice evidence-based medical nutrition therapy, which includes assessing individual nutritional needs, creating personalized nutrition plans, and helping people make informed food choices.
Dietitians play a crucial role in preventing diseases through various strategies and interventions:
- Nutrition education and counselling
- Personalized nutrition plans
- Public health initiatives
- Disease prevention strategies
- Medical nutrition therapy (MNT)
- Lifestyle modification support
- Food security advocacy
- Multidisciplinary collaboration
A balanced diet rich in diverse nutrients can help:
- Prevent chronic diseases
- Manage conditions like diabetes and heart disease
- Support overall physical and mental well-being
- Optimize nutrition across different life stages
Ultimately, nutrition and dietetics is about empowering individuals to make informed dietary choices that promote long-term health and prevent disease. Dietitians play a vital role in reducing the risk of chronic diseases and promoting overall health and well-being.
Frequently Asked Questions
No – you can schedule an appointment and meet with our dietitian without having a referral from your doctor.
Some insurance companies cover dietetic services but others do not. You would need to verify with your insurance provider and specific policy to see if you have coverage or not.
Dietitians have more extensive training, broader clinical capabilities, and greater legal recognition. Dietitians and nutritionists both work in the field of nutrition, but there are significant differences in their qualifications, responsibilities, and legal recognition:
- Education and Certification: dietitians are required to complete specific education and licensure requirements; nutritionists may or may not have formal training, and the title is not regulated in many places.
- Legal Recognition: “Dietitian” is a protected title, reserved for those who meet specific criteria; “Nutritionist” is often a self-proclaimed title with no standardized requirements.
- Scope of Practice: dietitians can provide medical nutrition therapy, diagnose and treat illnesses, and work in clinical settings; nutritionists typically focus on general nutrition education and may have limitations on providing medical advice.
- Regulatory Oversight: dietitians must register with provincial regulatory bodies; nutritionists often have fewer regulations governing their practice.
Still wondering if we can help?
Give us a call at 514-819-1015 or email us for more information!
