What is a Sports Dietitian?

Today on Coffee & Questions ☕️ I answered a great question - "What is the difference between a Nutritionist, Dietitian and Sports Dietitian?"

It seems self-explanatory but I think it's really important to talk about - because we all deserve to have the best & most qualified health team around us.

The difference between a Nutritionist, Dietitian and Sports Dietitian

Nutritionist

Nutritionist is an unregistered, unprotected title in Australia. Anyone can call themselves a Nutritionist with no qualifications. In Australia, the Nutritionist title is not regulated (note: it is regulated in some other countries e.g. UK). 

To avoid people who aren't qualified, look for an "Accredited Nutritionist" - these must have a minimum of a 3 year bachelor degree in nutrition, and are accredited with Nutrition Society of Australia (NSA).

Dietitian

Dietitian is a protected title in Australia - if someone calls themselves a Dietitian, they must be registered with AHPRA (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency). A Dietitian must have a minimum of a 4 year degree (Bachelor's or Masters) in Dietetics. Dietitians can also practice Nutrition, but Nutritionists cannot practice Dietetics.

Dietitians are experts in medical nutrition therapy, preventative health, food science and research. They can work in a wide variety of settings including hospitals, communities, research institutions, public health, food industry and private practice.

Sports Dietitian

A Sports Dietitian is a Dietitian who has completed additional postgraduate training in Sports Nutrition. In Australia, you can become an "Accredited Sports Dietitian" (ASD) by completing and being accredited by Sports Dietitians Australia (SDA).

A Sports Dietitian specialises in sports nutrition and working with athletes to optimise performance and body composition, while supporting health. There are currently around 200 Accredited Sports Dietitians in Australia.

How to find the right professional for you

When looking for a nutrition professional, it's important to check their credentials. Here's how you can check if someone is qualified in Australia:

• Dietitian: Check AHPRA's public register
• Accredited Nutritionist: Check the Nutrition Society of Australia's member register
• Sports Dietitian: Check Sports Dietitians Australia's member register

I am a fully qualified Dietitian and Accredited Sports Dietitian. If you're an endurance athlete looking for expert sports nutrition advice, I'd love to help. Book a consult here.