4 minutes read
Nutrition
Evidence Based
An image of the Author and Top Nutrition Coaching nutritionist, Nicolette
Nicolette Star Maggiolo, RD, LDN

What Is a Nutritionist?

Working with a certified nutritionist is the best way to get personalized support in your health journey. Here’s how these experts can help you reach your health goals.
4 minutes read
Nutrition
Evidence Based
An image of the Author and Top Nutrition Coaching nutritionist, Nicolette
Nicolette Star Maggiolo, RD, LDN

What Is a Nutritionist?

Working with a certified nutritionist is the best way to get personalized support in your health journey. Here’s how these experts can help you reach your health goals.
An image of the Author and Top Nutrition Coaching nutritionist, Nicolette
Nicolette Star Maggiolo, RD, LDN

What Is a Nutritionist?

Working with a certified nutritionist is the best way to get personalized support in your health journey. Here’s how these experts can help you reach your health goals.
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Whether you're new to personal nutrition or a seasoned pro, working with a nutrition specialist can benefit anyone’s overall health. Maybe you've tried countless diets and still struggle to shed extra weight. Perhaps you want to learn tips for managing diabetes or how to naturally lower your blood pressure to reduce the risk of hypertension. You might seek guidance from a certified nutrition specialist for hundreds of reasons.

Identifying your health goals and concerns is one of the most critical steps in deciding whether a nutritionist is right for you. If you're looking for nutrition advice related to a specific medical condition, nutrition specialists can address everything from prenatal and postpartum health to older adult nutrition, sports nutrition, weight loss, gut health, and chronic illnesses like Crohn's, diabetes, or kidney disease.

To help you better understand what a nutritionist is and how they work with you, here's everything you need to know about registered dietitian nutritionists.

Understanding the Role of a Personal Nutritionist

A nutritionist is your guide to long-term health. You meet with them for one-on-one counseling to discuss your health goals, challenges, medical history, and lifestyle. They may suggest eating plans, provide education on healthy foods, and offer constructive tips to help you work toward a healthy lifestyle.

Most importantly, the right certified nutrition specialist will lead you to optimal health outcomes. Their nutrition advice does not offer a "quick fix" to weight issues or medical conditions. Instead, nutrition specialists teach you how to care for your body through good eating habits and positive lifestyle choices.

Depending on what brought you to personal nutrition therapy, you may consider seeking a nutrition expert who can help address specific health conditions. Though weight loss may be one of the most commonly thought-of concerns when it comes to nutrition coaching, these health professionals can also help with the management of chronic diseases, severe food allergies, pregnancy, and heart disease. 

Different levels of certification exist within the world of nutrition science. Some nutritionists may be certified clinical nutritionists (CCNs). These professionals hold at least a Bachelor of Science degree and are certified by the Clinical Nutrition Certification Board. A certified clinical nutritionist is particularly helpful for providing education and recommendations on healthy eating. 

What Does a Nutritionist Do?

A nutritionist provides education and advice on improving your health through eating habits. They may recommend grocery shopping and meal planning tips to help you incorporate more fruits and vegetables into your diet. You may receive counseling on managing your blood sugar levels through a diet high in anti-inflammatory foods. Depending on your lifestyle, they may suggest incorporating regular physical activity into your daily schedule or developing better sleep habits. 

Many nutritionists also specialize in specific health concerns. Diabetes nutritionists help people with diabetes learn about weight management and healthy eating tools to manage this chronic illness. Prenatal nutritionists work with expectant mothers to ensure they receive adequate nutrients for a healthy pregnancy. Perhaps the most commonly thought of in the dieting world are weight loss nutritionists, who provide safe guidance to help people stay healthy while losing weight.

What Qualifications Do Nutritionists Typically Need?

The highest level of nutrition certification is a registered dietitian (RD) or registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN). So, what makes RDs/RDNs different from nutritionists? The tricky thing is that not all nutritionists are RDs/RDNs, but all health professionals with the title RD or RDN are nutritionists. Here's why—nutrition professionals with the RD/RDN certification have a more thorough background in nutrition education and have attained clinical experience before receiving their license. 

Technically, anyone can call themselves a nutritionist, but to be an RD or an RDN, you must complete specific education and professional training requirements. These requirements include having at least a bachelor's degree in nutrition or a related field, passing a national exam, and completing a set number of internship hours.

If you're seeking help addressing a particular health concern or hoping to receive a medical diagnosis, it's important that you seek out an RD/RDN. These are the only nutritionists who have the education and qualifications to provide qualified diagnoses and medical nutrition therapy. If you work with a network like Top Nutrition Coaching, you're guaranteed a custom-matched RD/RDN to provide you with the highest level of expertise.

What Is the Difference Between a Nutritionist and a Dietitian?

A nutritionist is a broad term with multiple levels of professionals. As previously mentioned, no formal credential is needed to call yourself a nutritionist. Nutrition professionals provide advice, education, and counseling on adjusting your diet to meet a goal. They advise on more general topics such as eating to feel healthier and more energized or how to lose weight. When searching for a "nutritionist near me," check their credentials and experience level since the level of expertise can vary broadly. This helps ensure that you receive the most accurate, data-driven counseling. 

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics licenses registered dietitians and registered dietitian nutritionists. To receive their credential, these professionals must:

  • Hold a bachelor's degree
  • Complete rigorous coursework through an accredited dietetics program
  • Do at least 1,200 hours of clinical internship experience
  • Pass a national test administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration.

Because of the high level of expertise required to become an RD/RDN, these are the only nutrition experts who can give valid medical diagnoses and treatments. For example, if you want help managing diabetes or suspect that you have the symptoms of gastrointestinal disease, it's best to seek an RD/RDN who can diagnose you.

What are the credentials of nutrition specialists?

A registered dietitian nutritionist has the highest level of credentials in the nutrition field. Here are the qualifications they're required to attain. 

Bachelor's or graduate degree in nutrition or a related field

All registered dietitians must hold a four-year bachelor's degree in a nutrition program from an accredited school. Additionally, RDs must complete coursework through an accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics or a Coordinated Program in Dietetics. These classes must be approved by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics to count towards the RD certification requirements.

Students participating in a graduate program approved by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics are also eligible for their registered dietitian certification. If an RD/RDN candidate has a degree from an accredited graduate nutrition program, they only need 1,000 hours of supervised clinical supervision and a passing score on the CDR exam to earn their qualification. 

At least 1,200 hours of clinical experience

Your registered dietitian must complete at least 1,200 hours of supervised experience in clinical settings. This requirement prepares nutritionists with the hands-on nutrition education and coaching skills needed to address a range of on-the-job scenarios. All internships must be approved through an Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics internship program to ensure the experience is sufficiently relevant and challenging. 

Pass the national exam

An RD/RDN must pass the nationally administered Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) exam. After passing the exam, RDs and RDNs must participate in continuing education requirements to keep their credentials current and valid.

Obtain a state license, if applicable

Depending on the state you live in, registered dietitians must have a state-specific license in addition to a national credential. Check out the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics' state-specific licensure policies to determine whether your state requires an additional certification for an RD/RDN.

What Are the Benefits of Working with a Certified Nutrition Specialist?

Working with a nutritionist is helpful when embarking on your health journey. Here are some of the key benefits you can expect from nutrition coaching. 

  • Get a personalized eating and health plan that sets you up for long-lasting success: Your nutritionist will consider your medical history, food allergies, stress levels, sleep routine, and more to develop a nutrition plan that is completely customized to you and sets the groundwork for long-term success.
  • Build an approachable diet plan tailored to your body and lifestyle: Nutrition counseling involves regular one-on-one sessions to identify which factors in your diet and lifestyle could be adjusted to promote optimal wellness.
  • Receive evidence-based advice on health and nutrition: A registered dietitian is up-to-date on the most recent research, so you'll always have access to an expert in the nutrition field. Your nutritionist can clear up any misconceptions and explain how to find reliable sources for health information. 
  • Learn how to manage chronic health challenges: Common chronic health conditions like arthritis, asthma, Crohn's disease, celiac disease, high blood pressure, and heart disease can be managed more efficiently with a balanced, nutrient-rich diet and healthy eating habits.
  • Support throughout every stage of your health journey: A personal nutritionist provides support to ensure you develop a safe and healthy relationship with food as you work through different health challenges. Additionally, they give scientifically grounded advice, feedback, and insights that your family and friends could not provide if you decided to navigate nutrition alone.

Am I a Good Candidate for Nutrition Counseling?

You're not alone if you're uncertain whether a nutritionist could help you meet your health goals. Here are some situations where personal nutrition counseling could help. 

Build an approachable diet plan

If you've tried one diet plan after another without success, a weight loss dietitian may be the answer. An estimated 95% of highly restrictive or fad diet plans fail between one to five years after ending them. Cutting out major food groups or going on a very low-calorie regime is not sustainable over a long period. More importantly, these fad diets can cause severe damage to your health and metabolism. 

By contrast, a weight loss dietitian offers a healthy and sustainable approach to weight loss. Using information about your health goals and concerns, medical history, lifestyle, stress levels, and sleep patterns, a registered dietitian will work with you to create a nutrition program that is effective in the short and long term. They will equip you with the education and tools to form healthy eating and lifestyle habits for years to come. 

Get tools for managing diabetes

Whether you've been managing diabetes for years or recently have received a diagnosis, navigating type I or II diabetes can be challenging. One of the most crucial aspects of diabetes management is staying at a healthy weight. Reducing your body weight by as little as 2% can improve your blood sugar, and losing 5% can decrease your risk of heart disease. 

A diabetes nutritionist can step in to help you meet your weight reduction goals and ensure that your eating and exercise plan will help you feel your best. They can also address your unique health challenges, concerns, and motivations in one-on-one counseling sessions to help you manage diabetes and follow a healthier lifestyle. 

Reduce your risk of heart disease

A healthy diet is one of the best ways to reduce your risk of heart disease, hypertension, and high cholesterol. Experts recommend eating a diet based on whole foods (around the 2,000 calories per day range) and getting 150 minutes per week of moderate physical activity. A heart health nutritionist understands how to put these recommendations into practice. Through regular nutrition counseling, they can help you find easy and approachable ways to make adjustments to your lifestyle. You may learn meal planning tips or how anti-inflammatory foods can help prevent symptoms of hypertension or other cardiac problems. 

Seeking help from a cardiac nutritionist also ensures that your health is monitored by a professional. If you have any unexpected weight irregularities or new health concerns arise, your nutritionist will be well-versed in your heart health history to help you manage the problem. 

Support a healthy pregnancy

Your body's nutritional needs change drastically during pregnancy. Experts estimate that pregnant women's dietary needs will increase by 300 to 500 additional calories per day. A prenatal nutritionist can help track your diet and ensure you get the appropriate caloric intake.

Whether you're struggling with nausea and acid reflux in the early stages of pregnancy or getting enough nutrients for breastfeeding during the postpartum period, nutrition counseling gives you personalized attention for all your pregnancy-related health concerns. Your dietitian can recommend minerals and vitamin supplements to proactively care for your body and prevent the onset of more severe health concerns during pregnancy. 

Are You Ready to Evolve Your Nutrition?

No matter what health needs you have or challenges you may be facing, the experts at Top Nutrition Coaching can help! Our registered dietitians are highly qualified to build a personalized diet plan around your wellness goals and help you reach success. Get matched with a nutritionist by taking our quiz!

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Nicolette Star Maggiolo, RD, LDN
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Top Nutrition Coaching’s Annual Heroes’ Legacy Scholarship

Scholarship award: $1000
The Top Nutrition Coaching First-Gen Futures Scholarship is a quarterly recurring scholarship open to all first-generation students whose parents did not receive a four-year bachelor’s degree. The next deadline to apply is October  1, and winners will be announced on October 31.
Learn More
A family outdoors: a boy, a smiling woman, a man in military attire with a toddler, and a grinning young man.

About the first-gen futures scholarship

Scholarship award available for both college and high school students
Being the first in your family to attend college is an inspiring feat, often with its own unique challenges. First-generation students may not have the same guidance in navigating parts of the higher education system as other students, such as the application process, obtaining financial aid, and even what to expect in college itself.

Financial constraints can also be a significant roadblock for such students, which may limit their choices, force them to balance jobs, family responsibilities, and school work all at once, and make the college experience much more stressful.

Despite these struggles, first-generation college students have proven time and again to be extremely resilient, determined, and hard-working. They embody a spirit of ambition and perseverance as they work toward creating the future they want for themselves and their families.

The First-Gen Futures Scholarship aims to recognize and support exceptional students who are overcoming the barriers of being the first in their families to attend college. By providing financial assistance to deserving individuals, we seek to alleviate some financial stress so that these students can focus more on their studies.

Previous Top Nutrition Coaching scholarship winners

The image features a profile icon of a young Caucasian woman with long blonde hair, styled in loose waves. She is wearing makeup with prominent lipstick and is smiling. She has a badge overlay indicating that she is a scholarship recipient, marked by a medal symbol to denote achievement or honor.
Mayci H.
Awarded:
$500
On:
October 12, 2022
The image depicts a profile icon of a Caucasian woman with shoulder-length blonde hair. She has a friendly smile and is wearing what appears to be a white top. She also has a badge overlay indicating that she is a scholarship recipient, which includes a medal icon to symbolize her achievement.
Jordan C.
Awarded:
$500
On:
December 20, 2022
The image shows a profile icon of a young Caucasian woman with long blonde hair, smiling. She has a badge overlay, suggesting she is a student who has received a scholarship. The badge includes a medal symbol to signify achievement or honor.
Bethanie S.
Awarded:
$500
On:
December 27, 2022
Romeo G.
Awarded:
$500
On:
February 8, 2023
The image displays a profile icon of a young Caucasian man with curly brown hair, dressed in a dark suit and tie. He is smiling and standing outdoors, with greenery in the background. He also features a badge overlay indicating that he is a scholarship recipient, complete with a medal symbol to highlight his achievement.
Ian C.
Awarded:
$500
On:
December 28, 2022
The image features a profile icon of a young Black man wearing a suit and tie, with an afro hairstyle. He has a badge icon overlay, indicating that he is a student who has won a scholarship. The badge includes a medal symbol, typically used to represent achievement or honor.
Kristopher W.
Awarded:
$500
On:
December 14, 2022
Scholarship details:
A white icon of a plus sign within a circle, used as a button to expand content.
Amount: $1,000
Winner Announcement Date: October 31
Recurring: Quarterly
Read FAQ
6
Scholarships Awarded
6
Winners
$6,000
Total Awards
Eligibility requirements:
A white icon of a plus sign within a circle, used as a button to expand content.
To qualify for this scholarship, please review the following eligibility criteria carefully. Ensure you meet these requirements prior to submitting your application.
A first-generation college student (meaning neither of their parents has obtained a four-year college degree)
A high school senior, undergraduate, or graduate student
Applicant must be a current U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident
How to Apply:
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You can apply for this scholarship on the Bold.org scholarship platform. Follow the directions and submit your application for the First-Gen Futures Scholarship, along with a short essay answering the following prompts:
Why have you chosen to pursue higher education?
How have you prepared yourself for college as a first-generation student?
Scholarship frequently asked questions:
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When is the scholarship deadline?
The application will be open through October 1.
What is the scholarship prize? 
The scholarship award is $1,000.
When will the winner be chosen and notified?
Prior to the announcement date, we may contact finalists with additional questions about their application. Recipients will be chosen based on the merit of their application. 
How will the scholarship be paid?
The prize check will be sent to the scholarship winner’s college institution in their name and in the name of their institution (depending on the school’s requirements).
Is this a recurring scholarship?
Yes, the First-Gen Futures Scholarship is a quarterly scholarship.
How will my scholarship application be verified?
A high school senior, undergraduate, or graduate student
How can I get in touch with questions?
If you have any questions about this scholarship, please email hello@topnutritioncoaching.com, and we will get back to you as quickly as we can.
How will my application information be used?
Top Nutrition Coaching manages this scholarship with the support of the Bold.org scholarship platform. Bold.org takes student confidentiality and privacy incredibly seriously. Please refer to the application page on Bold.org for full details.

Top Nutrition Coaching’s Annual Heroes’ Legacy Scholarship

Scholarship award: $1000
The Top Nutrition Coaching Annual Hero's Legacy Scholarship is open to any high school senior, undergraduate, or graduate student who is a U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident and the child of at least one parent who has served in the U.S. military. The next deadline to apply is April 1st, 2025, and winners will be announced on May 1st, 2025.
Learn More
A family outdoors: a boy, a smiling woman, a man in military attire with a toddler, and a grinning young man.

About the Annual Hero's Legacy Scholarship

Scholarship award available for both college and high school students
Military families embody resilience, strength, and unwavering support for their loved ones in uniform. There are many overlooked sacrifices they make that should be recognized and rewarded. Military families endure extended deployments, adjust to new environments, and face uncertainty on a frequent basis.

The children of military families often adapt to new schools and environments, embodying the values of adaptability and perseverance, and experience the emotional toll of their loved one being deployed in dangerous situations.

The Heroes' Legacy Scholarship is a tribute to the extraordinary dedication and sacrifice of military families who stand alongside their loved ones in service to our country. Unfortunately, there are many struggles that military families endure while a parent or guardian serves in the armed forces.

In recognition of the burden higher education can place on military families, this scholarship seeks to give back to these dedicated families to honor their sacrifices.

Any high school senior, undergraduate, or graduate student who is a U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident and the child of at least one parent who has served in the U.S. military may apply for this scholarship.

To apply, tell us about your experience as the child of a military parent.

Previous Top Nutrition Coaching scholarship winners

The image features a profile icon of a young Caucasian woman with long blonde hair, styled in loose waves. She is wearing makeup with prominent lipstick and is smiling. She has a badge overlay indicating that she is a scholarship recipient, marked by a medal symbol to denote achievement or honor.
Mayci H.
Awarded:
$500
On:
October 12, 2022
The image depicts a profile icon of a Caucasian woman with shoulder-length blonde hair. She has a friendly smile and is wearing what appears to be a white top. She also has a badge overlay indicating that she is a scholarship recipient, which includes a medal icon to symbolize her achievement.
Jordan C.
Awarded:
$500
On:
December 20, 2022
The image shows a profile icon of a young Caucasian woman with long blonde hair, smiling. She has a badge overlay, suggesting she is a student who has received a scholarship. The badge includes a medal symbol to signify achievement or honor.
Bethanie S.
Awarded:
$500
On:
December 27, 2022
Romeo G.
Awarded:
$500
On:
February 8, 2023
The image displays a profile icon of a young Caucasian man with curly brown hair, dressed in a dark suit and tie. He is smiling and standing outdoors, with greenery in the background. He also features a badge overlay indicating that he is a scholarship recipient, complete with a medal symbol to highlight his achievement.
Ian C.
Awarded:
$500
On:
December 28, 2022
The image features a profile icon of a young Black man wearing a suit and tie, with an afro hairstyle. He has a badge icon overlay, indicating that he is a student who has won a scholarship. The badge includes a medal symbol, typically used to represent achievement or honor.
Kristopher W.
Awarded:
$500
On:
December 14, 2022
Scholarship details:
A white icon of a plus sign within a circle, used as a button to expand content.
Amount: $1,000
Winner Announcement Date: May 1st, 2025
Recurring: Quarterly
Read FAQ
6
Scholarships Awarded
6
Winners
$6,000
Total Awards
Eligibility requirements:
A white icon of a plus sign within a circle, used as a button to expand content.
To qualify for this scholarship, please review the following eligibility criteria carefully. Ensure you meet these requirements prior to submitting your application.
Family Background: At least one parent has served in the U.S. military
A high school senior, undergraduate, or graduate student
Applicant must be a current U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident
How to Apply:
A white icon of a plus sign within a circle, used as a button to expand content.
You can apply for this scholarship on the Bold.org scholarship platform. Follow the directions and submit your application for Annual Hero's Legacy Scholarship, along with a short essay answering the following prompts:
Why have you chosen to pursue higher education?
How have you prepared yourself for college as a first-generation student?
Scholarship frequently asked questions:
A white icon of a plus sign within a circle, used as a button to expand content.
When is the scholarship deadline?
The application deadline is April 1st, 2025. Winners will be announced on May 1st, 2025.
What is the scholarship prize? 
The scholarship award is $1,000.
When will the winner be chosen and notified?
Your privacy is a top priority on the Bold.org platform, and you can find our privacy policy in full here. You may opt out of communications from Bold.org at any time, and unless we’ve first notified you and gotten your consent, you’ll never receive communication from any third parties related to personal information you give us.
How will the scholarship be paid?
Award checks will be sent to the financial aid office of the winner's academic institution or future academic institution in their name to be applied to their tuition, and in the name of their institution (depending on the school's requirements). If the award is for a qualified educational non-tuition expense, we will work with the winner directly to distribute the award and make sure it goes towards qualified expenses.
Is this a recurring scholarship?
Yes, the Hero's Legacy Scholarship is a  Annual scholarship.
How will my scholarship application be verified?
Before we award the scholarship, the winner will be required to confirm their academic enrollment status. Depending on the circumstances, verification of Student ID and/or their most recent transcript will be required.
How can I get in touch with questions?
If you have any questions about this scholarship, please email hello@topnutritioncoaching.com, and we will get back to you as quickly as we can.
How will my application information be used?
Top Nutrition Coaching manages this scholarship with the support of the Bold.org scholarship platform. Bold.org takes student confidentiality and privacy incredibly seriously. Please refer to the application page on Bold.org for full details.