(Head to the bottom for a direct comparison of dieticians and nutritionists)

The Healthcare System: Big, Complex, and In Need of Support

Canada’s healthcare system is vast and ever-evolving, tasked with serving millions of people across diverse communities. With chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular conditions on the rise, the demand for nutrition-related healthcare services has never been greater. While the system does its best to meet the needs of patients, it’s clear that no single profession can tackle these challenges alone. Collaboration, innovation, and support from multiple areas of expertise are essential to lighten the load and ensure comprehensive care.

Acknowledging the Importance of Dietitians and Regulation

Dietitians play a vital role in healthcare. As regulated health professionals, they undergo rigorous training, including university-level education, supervised internships, and national exams, all designed to prepare them for complex cases requiring medical nutrition therapy. Regulation ensures accountability, standardization, and protection for the public, which is critical in a field directly tied to health outcomes.

There’s no doubt that dietitians are indispensable members of the healthcare system. Their training and expertise make them uniquely qualified for clinical nutrition roles, and regulation ensures the public can trust their credentials. Regulation matters, and that’s something we can all agree on.

The Overlooked Value of Fully Credentialed Nutritionists (FCN)

However, the conversation often overlooks another group of trained professionals: Fully Credentialed Nutritionists (FCN). While not regulated in the same way as dietitians, Fully Credentialed Nutritionists fill an important gap in healthcare by addressing foundational lifestyle factors that contribute to overall well-being.

As always, we need a definition for FCN…

A Fully Credentialed Nutritionist (FCN) is a nutrition professional who has completed formal post-secondary education in nutrition or a related field and holds recognized credentials from an accrediting body that enforces ethical standards and professional guidelines.

FCNs are not self-proclaimed experts; ideally they attend an accredited college, with in-depth programming focusing on a variety of courses in nutrition (especially hard sciences), and consider their respective practical applications. These programs encompass a broader picture of health, integrating topics like stress management, sleep hygiene, and proper food choices.

Further, FCNs, in one way or another, must stay up to date with the latest research. In fact, it is my personal ethos to keep current as a practitioner, and consider it a core principal of being a working nutrition professional. FCNs don’t replace dietitians; instead, they complement their work by focusing on prevention, education, and empowering clients to make long-term sustainable lifestyle changes.

The Role of the CANNP (And Other Regulating Bodies)

The Canadian Association of Natural Nutritional Practitioners (CANNP; my regulating body) is one of 3 main regulating bodies for FCNs (and related fields), setting professional standards and promoting accountability. Members of the CANNP must meet educational requirements, adhere to a code of ethics and standards of practice, and engage in continuing education. This ensures that the professionals you work with are not only qualified but also committed to best practices.

The CANNP’s efforts to provide oversight and structure demonstrate that the field of holistic nutrition is serious about professionalism and integrity. Regulation is undoubtedly important, and while FCNs may not yet be regulated by the government, organizations like the CANNP ensure that clients receive competent and credible care.

Bridging the Gap: Collaboration Over Competition

In a healthcare system as challenging as Canada’s, there is room for both dietitians and FCNs to make meaningful contributions. Instead of viewing these roles as competing, we should focus on their complementary strengths. Dietitians excel in clinical settings, working with complex medical cases and designing therapeutic diets, thanks to their broader scope of practice. FCNs, while typically focusing on general education and preventive recommendations, may offer a more cost-effective approach for those seeking holistic lifestyle guidance and support for everyday health and well-being. With that said, dietitians have this ability as well, but FCNs may come at a lower price tag.

Together, these professions can address similar and different client needs. By recognizing the value that FCNs bring to the table, we can create a more inclusive, effective healthcare system that better serves the diverse needs of Canadians.

Accountability Across Professions: Ensuring Ethical Practice

No matter the profession, there will always be individuals who fail to adhere to best practices or uphold the standards of their regulating bodies. This issue includes all fields, where some professionals may provide mis/disinformation, fail to remain up to date with research, or even act unethically.

Whether it is a lack of training, disregard for professional guidelines, or deliberate misconduct, every field faces its share of outliers. Such actions can lead to public confusion, mistrust, and harm, highlighting the importance of ensuring ethical and evidence-based practice.

Regulatory bodies, where they exist, help mitigate these risks by setting standards and holding professionals accountable. Organizations like the CANNP and other colleges work to establish credibility and promote responsible practice. Ultimately, the public must also play a role by seeking out professionals who adhere to established guidelines and prioritize their clients’ well-being. This is why I take my scope of practice so seriously. 

By focusing on ethical guidelines, transparency, and ongoing education, professionals in all fields can better serve their clients and build trust. The importance of accountability cannot be overstated, and it is crucial that all practitioners strive to meet and exceed these expectations.

The nutrition landscape is a great place to see this. We have people of all professions who claim to be experts in nutrition. And some practice very differently from others. Who can you trust?

A Call for Understanding

With this new framework, the myth that some FCNs are unqualified or irrelevant undermines the potential for collaboration and innovation in healthcare. By acknowledging the training, expertise, and professionalism of FCNs, we can move beyond outdated stereotypes and embrace a more integrative approach to health. Dietitians are essential, and regulation matters, but FCNs may offer something important: accessible, prevention-focused recommendations that empowers individuals to live healthier lives.

The healthcare challenges we face today are too big for any one profession to solve alone. Let’s work together to build a healthier future.

Dispelling the myths

I see this format of comparison everywhere, so let’s go over the claims.

Statement 1.. A “nutritionist” is a self proclaimed title.

Answer: Sure, anyone can call themselves a nutritionist. This is why I mentioned the importance of finding someone who has the credentials, experience, and practice you’re looking for. With our new definition of Fully Credentialed Nutritionist (FCN), we have a better idea of what to look for when seeking a practitioner. In additional, for anyone can call themselves a nutritionist, then no, no qualifications would be required…lol.

Statement 2. The definition of a nutritionist is “someone who works with food and nutritional science, aiming to prevent diseases related to nutrient deficiencies.”

Answer: I have no issue with this definition when we consider the FCN definition above. They can also promote good health through proper nutritional habits too!

Statement 3. Nutritionists are “not legally accepted as an expert”.

Answer: Well we would have to define what an ‘expert’ is. So let’s name a few:

• a person who has a comprehensive and authoritative knowledge of or skill in a particular area (Oxford)

• having, involving, or displaying special skill or knowledge derived from training or experience (Merriam-Webster)

• a person with a high level of knowledge or skill relating to a particular subject or activity (dictionary.cambridge.org)

You get the idea. So yes, a credentialed and experienced practitioner can be considered an expert. Insurance companies also have options to claim certain Nutrition Counselling programs.

Hope all of that helps!