Despite being similar, there are some differences between nutritionists and nutritionists that are key to choosing a good treatment.
Do you know the differences between a nutritionist and a nutritionist? The words have similar spelling, but there are several characteristics that separate professionals. Initially, it is easy to remember the fact that they both work in the food sphere. In this sense, when it comes to deciding which is the most appropriate method of resolving doubts regarding the subject, understanding more about each one can facilitate your choice.
Beforehand, it is possible to identify some more obvious details that separate the area of nutritionist and nutrologist. The two professionals are responsible for solving the patient’s nutritional problems. However, a nutritionist does not have the same training as a nutritionist, and a nutritionist is not able to offer the same guidance as a nutritionist.
To better understand the differences between nutritionists and nutritionists, check out the characteristics of each one below, as well as how the professionals differ.
The nutritionist
The professional nutritionist, first and foremost, is one who has a degree in nutrition. During their degree, which can vary from 4 to 5 years, the nutritionist studies areas such as biochemistry, biology, food composition and psychology, unraveling the characteristics of food and the human body. Thus, its content revolves around the physiology of the organism and the way in which eating habits are influenced by social and psychological aspects.
When relating it to nutrition, the nutritionist must prescribe diets, aiming at a healthy diet for their patient through a balance between calories and nutrients. Despite this, he can also prescribe supplements, providing general nutritional guidance. The nutritionist is responsible for monitoring everything that his patient should consume while seeking to achieve a certain goal. Likewise, the professional can help prevent possible diseases and promote quality of life.
The nutritionist
While the nutritionist has a degree in nutrition, the nutritionist completes his degree in medicine. After graduating, he chose to pursue his career in functional nutrition, making the area a medical specialty. The career can be achieved through a second specific residency in nutrition or with a postgraduate degree. In general, the professional specifically treats the impacts of nutrients on the body, evaluating symptoms and pathologies.
Therefore, the nutritionist must assess the benefits and harms of eating certain foods, in addition to making sure that there is no risk of diet-related diseases. It is the nutritionist who must diagnose and treat diseases and disorders such as obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, bulimia or anorexia. With their recommendations, the patient can make important lifestyle changes to accommodate their health.
Difference between nutritionist and nutrologist
After understanding how each professional fits into their areas of activity, it is possible to differentiate their specialties. Initially, the training path must be distinguished: as already mentioned, while the nutritionist graduates in nutrition, the nutritionist graduates in medicine.
1 – Different approaches
While the nutritionist is responsible for promoting nutritional education and improving lifestyle habits through a balanced diet, the nutritionist diagnoses diseases related to nutrition. Furthermore, it must treat such diseases, which are generally related to the different effects of certain foods that are linked to the functioning of the metabolism.
2 – Prescription of medicines
Another basic difference between a nutritionist and a nutritionist is the ability to prescribe medications to treat complications related to nutrition. The nutritionist cannot prescribe medications, as it is the nutritionist who treats disorders or diseases, in addition to specifically studying pathologies in the area. Likewise, the nutritionist cannot prescribe diets, as the task is the exclusive responsibility of nutritionists, who study the correct proportion of nutrients and calories for each organism.
3 – Other differences
Finally, the two professionals differ based on the specificity of patient treatment. While the nutritionist works with medical examinations and the preservation of health in general, introducing the concept through food, the nutritionist studies proportions, offering balanced diets and improving eating habits.
In any case, even with their differences, it is extremely common for nutritionists and nutritionists to work together, combining their strengths in quality treatment. Often, the nutritionist resorts to the help of the nutritionist for specific diets for their patients.
If this article interests you, for a better understanding of the subject, also check out Women’s Health – Body, food, mind and self-esteem
Fontes: Unimed, Ipemed, DoctorMed, NutriTotal
Images: Saúde Belém, Blog Vitta, WebRun, Nutrisoft, Multivix
