A dietitian, medical dietitian, or dietician is an expert in identifying and treating disease-related malnutrition and in conducting medical nutrition therapy, for example designing an enteral tube feeding regimen or mitigating the effects of cancer cachexia. Many dietitians work in hospitals and usually see specific patients where a nutritional assessment and intervention has been requested by a doctor or nurse, for example if a patient has lost their ability to swallow or requires artificial nutrition due to intestinal failure. Dietitians are regulated healthcare professionals licensed to assess, diagnose, and treat such problems. In the United Kingdom, dietitian is a 'protected title', meaning identifying yourself as a dietitian without appropriate education and registration is prohibited by law.
A nutritionist is a person who advises others on matters of food and nutrition and their impacts on health. Some people specialize in particular areas, such as sports nutrition, public health, or animal nutrition, among other disciplines. In many countries, a person can claim to be a nutritionist even without any training, education, or professional license, in contrast to a dietitian, who has a university degree, professional license, and certification for professional practice.
Adelle Davis was an American writer and nutritionist, considered "the most famous nutritionist in the early to mid-20th century." She was an advocate for improved health through better nutrition. She wrote an early textbook on nutrition in 1942, followed by four best-selling books for consumers which praised the value of natural foods and criticized the diet of the average American. Her books sold over 10 million copies and helped shape America's eating habits.
The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is a 501(c)(6) trade association in the United States. With over 112,000 members, the association claims to be the largest organization of food and nutrition professionals. It has registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs), nutrition and dietetics technicians registered (NDTRs), and other dietetics professionals as members. Founded in 1917 as the American Dietetic Association, the organization officially changed its name to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics in 2012. According to the group's website, about 65% of its members are RDNs, and another 2% are NDTRs. The group's primary activities include providing testimony at hearings, lobbying the United States Congress and other governmental bodies, commenting on proposed regulations, and publishing statements on various topics pertaining to food and nutrition.
Cecilia Hae-Jin Lee is a Korean American writer, artist, photographer and chef. Lee is most known for her cookbooks and food writing. She was nominated for a James Beard award in 2006 and has won numerous other awards for her cookbooks. Lee has written for magazines, newspapers, and online publications. She also works as an artist in installation, photography, painting and drawing. Her work is displayed in many galleries and she created two public art pieces in California.
Fit for Life is a diet and lifestyle book series stemming from the principles of orthopathy. It is promoted mainly by the American writers Harvey and Marilyn Diamond. The Fit for Life book series describes a fad diet which specifies eating only fruit in the morning, eating predominantly "live" and "high-water-content" food, and, if animal protein is eaten, avoiding combining it with complex carbohydrates.
Joy L. Bauer, MS, RDN, is the host of NBC's "Health & Happiness" and the health and nutrition expert on The Today Show. Bauer is the author of 15 bestsellers.
Vesanto Melina is a Canadian Registered Dietitian and co-author of books that have become classics in the field of vegetarian, vegan, and raw foods nutrition, have sold almost a million copies in English and are in nine additional languages. She has presented talks and workshops on various aspects of vegetarian, vegan and raw foods and nutrition for dietitians, health professionals, and vegetarian associations in 17 American states and 9 Canadian provinces, and in 10 countries.
Kathleen Manning Zelman, MPH, RD, LD, is an American nutritionist, dietitian, and communications expert who served as WebMD's director of nutrition for 17 years and is currently the owner of No Nonsense Nutrition, LLC.
Daphne Nur Oz is an American television host, food writer, and chef. She was one of five co-hosts on the ABC daytime talk show The Chew for the show's first six seasons and was a co-host of the syndicated talk/cooking show The Good Dish.
Dawn Jackson Blatner is an American registered dietitian, television and media personality, and published author of the books The Flexitarian Diet and The Superfood Swap. She has been hailed as Chicago's "top dietitian" and "one of the best nutritionists in the country." She is the host of the lifestyle program SEE Chicago on WGN-TV.
Lisa Lillien is an American entrepreneur. She is the creator of the Hungry Girl brand, including email-subscription, cookbooks, low-calorie recipes, and life hacks.
Cheryl Forberg, RD, is a New York Times best-selling author, a James Beard Award-winning chef, a registered dietitian (RD), a winegrape farmer and a travel writer. She lives in Northern California’s wine country.
Nadia Rui-chi Lim is a New Zealand celebrity chef, entrepreneur, food writer and television personality. Lim is known as the self-proclaimed "Nude Cook" as an advocate of natural, unprocessed foods, and for creating healthy, nutritious recipes by putting a health focus behind food, which is influenced by her background as a clinical dietitian.
Patricia Chuey, MSc., RD, FDC, is a Canadian Registered Dietitian and award winner for excellence in nutrition communications. In 2018, she was inducted into the inaugural Alumni Hall of Fame in the College of Pharmacy and Nutrition at the University of Saskatchewan. In 2017, she received the Ryley-Jeffs Memorial Award, the highest honour given to a Canadian dietitian. In 2014 she was granted Fellowship in Dietitians of Canada and an "Alumni of Influence Award" from the University of Saskatchewan for work in promoting healthy eating and well-being in Canada. Her food and nutrition commentary appears in the Canadian media including publications such as Canadian Living magazine, The Province newspaper (Vancouver) and Wellness Matters Magazine.
Rosemary Alison Stanton is an Australian nutritionist and dietician, known for her media appearances.
Maureen Callahan is an American dietitian and writer about health food and dieting.
Lisa R. Young is an American registered dietitian nutritionist and author. Her published books include The Portion Teller, The Portion Teller Plan, and Finally Full, Finally Slim and has also published academic articles on the contribution of US portion sizes to the obesity epidemic. She also appeared in the documentary movie Super Size Me.
Megan Rossi is a dietitian, nutritionist and author specialising in the microbiome. Her PhD in gut health received the Dean's Award top 5% for Outstanding Research Higher Degree.
Rose Reisman is a Canadian teacher, author, chef, and nutritionist who promotes healthy eating and lifestyle. She is the author of more than 20 cookbooks and the health expert on local and national television and radio shows.
