Dietitian or nutritionist in Australia: what is the difference and who should you see?

Dietitians are university-qualified to deliver individual dietary counselling and medical nutrition therapy. They assess your needs, work out an eating plan with you, and teach practical skills such as label reading and shopping. They commonly work with diabetes, heart conditions, kidney disease, food allergies and intolerances, digestive conditions, eating difficulties and weight management.

Healthdirect and Dietitians Australia both explain it the same way: all dietitians are nutritionists, but nutritionists cannot call themselves dietitians unless they hold a dietetics qualification. The title 'nutritionist' is not regulated, so anyone can use it, whatever their training. Dietitians who join the Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD) program commit to ongoing education and a code of conduct and appear on a public register.

Some nutritionists are well-qualified, such as those with a nutrition science degree. The point is that you have to check, because the title alone tells you nothing.

• Questions about your health history, medications, eating patterns, budget, cooking skills and goals.
• Possibly a review of recent blood tests or reports from your doctor.
• An individual plan with achievable steps, not a rigid diet sheet.
• Follow-up visits to adjust the plan.

For general healthy eating, the Australian Dietary Guidelines recommend eating a variety of foods from the five food groups every day: vegetables and legumes, fruit, grain foods, lean meats and alternatives, and dairy and alternatives, and drinking plenty of water. A dietitian tailors this to you.

Dietitians set their own fees. If you have a GP chronic condition management plan and a referral, Medicare supports up to five individual allied health services per calendar year, shared across the allied health types on your plan, and you may still pay a gap. The APD credential is recognised by Medicare, the Department of Veterans' Affairs and many private health funds. Private extras cover varies, so ask your fund.

A dietitian is part of your care team, not a replacement for it. With your consent, they can liaise with your GP, specialist, physiotherapist or exercise physiologist so everyone's advice fits together. This matters when you take medicines that interact with food, have a condition such as diabetes, or are changing your exercise at the same time.

Bring recent test results, a list of your medicines and supplements and a few days of what you normally eat, if you can. It makes the first visit more useful.

1. Are you an Accredited Practising Dietitian? Where can I check?
2. Have you worked with my condition or goal?
3. How many visits do you expect, and what will each cost?
4. Can I claim through Medicare or my health fund?
5. Do you sell supplements or products?

• 'Cut out whole food groups to be healthy.' Do not remove food groups without advice, especially if you have a health condition.
• 'Detox plans work.' Be cautious of plans that promise quick fixes.
• 'Anyone with nutrition in the title is qualified.' Check the credential.

Check with a professional first. See your GP for unexplained weight loss or gain, ongoing digestive symptoms, suspected food allergy, blood in the stool, or if you are worried about an eating disorder. Do not change medicines, including insulin, on the basis of diet advice without your doctor.