Good health starts with good nutrition, and there are medical specialists who can provide you with personal guidance in regard to your diet and food choices for optimum nutrition. Among these specialists, there are nutritionists and then there are nutritional counselors, but who is better to see for nutrition advice?
The Difference Between a Nutritionist and a Nutrition Counselor
It really boils down to which state you live in. That’s right. There may not be a difference between a nutritionist and a nutritional counselor in a state that does not regulate the use of each term – but for those that do, they are not one and the same.
Let’s talk about what these technical differences are and where you can go for a professional nutritional evaluation:
Nutritionist
Nutritionists are professional dietitians. Even those without formal training may call themselves nutritionists simply because they offer nutrition advice.
Nutritional Counselor
A certified nutritional counselor is someone who has passed the certification exam for nutrition specialists administered by the Board for Certification of Nutrition Specialists at the American Nutrition Association. A nutritional counselor first completed undergraduate and postgraduate studies in a related field and underwent an internship.
You want to make sure that you are receiving dietary and nutritional advice from certified and licensed medical professionals. A nutritional counselor can create customized meal plans for patients who are underweight or overweight, and those with chronic diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. They employ scientific principles of food, nutrition, biochemistry, and physiology.
Can a Board-Certified Physician Provide Nutritional Advice?
Yes. In fact, choose a board-certified family medicine or internal medicine physician who has special training in diet and nutrition. Board certification means the doctor will provide comprehensive care far beyond what you would receive from a non-physician nutrition specialist in matters of nutrition and diet.
Nutritional Counseling by a Board-Certified Doctor in Frisco, TX
Dr. Rani Anbarasu of Star Medical Associates provides exceptional weight management and nutritional counseling services to her patients as part of her preventive healthcare program. She can create a customized, individualized diet plan to help you prevent disease and stay as healthy as possible – all while eating foods you actually enjoy.
Our team of healthcare providers care about your overall wellness. If you have any questions or would like to schedule a consultation with Dr. Anbarasu, contact our friendly staff today by calling us at (940) 382-6900 in Denton, or (469) 301-2300 in Frisco. If you prefer, you can also fill out our easy-to-use appointment request form online now. We look forward to helping you achieve optimum health!
