What’s the difference between a CNS and Rd?

Oh boy! Here we go!

First off, I need to clarify, I’m currently a CNS-candidate meaning this is in process and I’m over halfway through my 1,000 supervised hours to become certified. In addition to that, I have a handful + of CNS supervisors that are highly educated in nutrition that supervise my work (thank you Clinicians Incubator!) as I finish my hours.

This is a hotly debated topic and I’m here to tell you, there’s room for every at the table … well, maybe.

What’s a nutritionist?

If you ask Google, it’ll tell you that a nutritionist is an expert in the use of food and nutrition for managing various conditions or diseases and to improve overall health. I’m here to tell you this is so much harder to answer because it depends on a lot. Simply put, it’s really confusing. For starters, this can vary by state. Did you know in the state of Oregon, where I live, anyone can refer to themselves as a nutritionist?

That means your grandma could decide tomorrow that she’s a nutritionist. Crazy, right?! Or maybe I should say scary? IDK you decide.

It’s so crucial to know the background of someone before you work with them. Please, please, please research their credentials and education. Do they have a degree from Google? A certificate from a several month nutrition program? Are they a health coach? Do they have their bachelor or master’s degree in nutrition? Are they licensed or certified by a state regulatory system? See how it’s hard to answer?

However, it’s also important to understand there are plenty of good intentioned individuals without any formal education in nutrition counseling. But this goes without saying, if you can do someone good, you can do someone harm (i.e. disordered eating, trigger an eating disorder = bad, bad, bad). With that, I advise you to also consider booking discovery calls with potential practitioners to see if they fit what you’re looking for, you can ask about their background, their philosophy to nutrition and lifestyle strategies and more importantly make sure you’re a good fit for one another!

What’s a CNS?

While I admit I’m biased towards a CNS, there is totally room for everyone in the nutrition world. A Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS) is defined by the American Nutrition Association as "a highly qualified nutritional professional with an advanced degree (must be graduate or clinical doctorate degree; DC, MD, ND, PharmD) from a fully accredited university in nutrition plus 1,000 hours of a supervised internship and must pass the rigorous exam administered by the Board for Certification of Nutrition Specialists". Certified Nutrition Specialists practice science-based personalized nutrition therapy to power people to health and are spearheading the transformation from population-based to personalized nutrition, and from disease care to authentic health care. Most CNS’s are found in private practice, and in functional and integrative clinics.

What’s an RD?

You’ve more than likely heard of a Registered Dietitian (RD). An RD is also a highly skilled, “food and dietary professional usually with a 4-year bachelor’s degree and a 900-1200 hours in a dietetic internship through an accredited program and passing a dietetic registration exam.” An RD is nationally recognized in all states, and can accept insurance whereas that’s not always the case with a CNS. The role of RD’s have historically been to serve acute care, hospital or clinic settings with special training in tube feedings.

RD’s are also trained in personalized nutrition and it’s safe to say that only RD’s and CNS’s can make personalized nutrition advice due to their rigorous trainings. I repeat; only RD’s and CNS’s can make personalized nutrition advice. Only these two designations have had rigorous training within nutritional science. When someone lacks a comprehensive understanding to nutritional care you put yourself at risk if you’re on the receiving end.

Again, there is totally room for everyone at the table; CNS’s & RD’s. Lastly, do your research and feel free to book a complementary discovery call with me 😊