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Type of Counseling:  in-person, one-to-one

Typical Cost: $500-1,000

Type Program:  non-medical, custom menu planning and nutritional counseling

Type of Foods Used:  regular grocery store food

At-Home or Direct Mail Plan Available?  Not applicable

The nutritionist community is, at this point, very fragmented and they seem to be working to achieve some cohesiveness within their profession. Nutritionists provide a multitude of services, depending on their particular area of focus. In general, they are not regulated by any agency and they do not fall under any guidelines for treatment of clients. This is where the confusion in this profession lies. Everyone seems to be doing whatever they want and for a weight loss client looking for help from a nutritionist, this means they must do thorough research to find a nutritionist that is best suited to them and what they are trying to achieve. The nutritionist community realizes this and is trying to bring themselves together to establish some general guidelines within their profession, thereby making them more accessible and more client-friendly.

It’s probably best to seek out a nutritionist with professional affiliations, and who has been practicing for at least several years. Many consult for corporations, retail stores and other organizations. Some have authored books and some even have developed their own weight management software or diet analysis tools.

Anyone can call himself a nutritionist, as a college degree is not required to have that title.  However, if you want to be a Certified Clinical Nutritionist (CCN) then you must meet the criteria below:

• Must possess a 4-year degree from an accredited college

• Degree must include classes in chemistry, biochemistry, anatomy, physiology, human biology and microbiology

• Must complete 15 hours of coursework in core nutrition classes

• Must take 8 post-graduate study classes taught by the Clinical Nutritionist Certification Board

• Must pass an exam administered by the Clinical Nutritionist Certification Board

There is some overlapping of methods used in the treatment of clients by Registered Dietitians:

Both use a variety of means to achieve the weight loss goals of their clients. Both focus on individual treatment and establish a program geared toward the particular client’s needs. Nutritionists, however, do not "treat" their clients, as most possess no medical degree. Nutritionists encourage or suggest programs to those that come to them for assistance. RDs typically are working in a more clinical environment (hospitals, doctor’s offices) and the services they provide are usually more medically based. RDs often see clients that need dietary help with heart disease, diabetes, blood pressure and a variety of other medical conditions. Most RDs work with medical doctors and because of this they are able to provide their clients with prescription medicine if they and the doctor feel it is necessary.

Nutritionists generally are not affiliated with the medical profession as closely as dietitians. Nutritionists do not have access to prescribed drugs but they encourage their clients to take a variety of supplements. Usually, the nutritionist themselves can provide these. Nutritionists are not as clinically inclined as RDs, their main focus is to look at the "whole" person and not just a particular area. Nutritionists practice under a holistic concept--where as they look at the physical, emotional and social context of their client’s problem--usually weight reduction. It’s common for nutritionists to be involved in other disciplines, such as massage therapy, stress management, mind-body fields, yoga, eating disorders, etc.

A good source of information on the typical backgrounds and specialties of nutritionists is the website of the Society of Certified Nutritionists: www.certifiednutritionist.com/find.html. Addresses and phone numbers are provided, arranged by state.

When a client visits a nutritionist, here are some activities one might expect:

• Keep food logs and journals

• Discuss medications currently taking as well as any lab tests recently completed

• Provide a complete health history, where a pattern in your life may be established

• Submit to allergy testing, saliva testing, hair analysis

• Discuss the "total" person, all phases of your life and how change may be needed to reach your goal of total wellness

• Establish an exercise program

• Establish a weight reduction program where a particular "diet" may not be used but rather learning what are good foods, bad foods, and the difference and effect they have on you

• Take supplements to encourage your body to reach total wellness.

BestDietForMe.com’s telephone survey of nutritionists nationwide revealed that…

• The typical nutritionist serving a weight loss client will serve them for 5-6 months.

• Clients see a nutritionist for weight loss an average of once every 2.2 weeks, and sessions average $62.50 in cost. Fees will vary by state/city/region, usually ranging from $40-85/hr.

• The first "assessment" session or meeting is usually the longest, requiring about 70 minutes of discussion. Follow-up visits after this are usually 35-40 minutes long.

• The total cost of services for a weight loss "program" averages $643, based on BestDietForMe.com’s sample. The range is wide—anywhere from $125 to $1,600.

Nutritionists have several organizations they may belong to. Below is a list of the most notable ones currently available. If you are looking for a nutritionist, these are a good starting points, as some will have lists of their members, arranged by state.

• Society of Certified Nutritionists: 800-342-8037

• International & American Associations of Clinical Nutritionists: 972-407-9089

• Clinical Nutritionist Certification Board: 972-250-2829

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