Tag: Rdn vs md

According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Registered Dietitians (RDs) are food and nutrition experts who have met specific academic and professional requirements. While both are key healthcare professionals, understanding the difference between doctors and registered dietitians is crucial for determining where to seek nutrition-related advice and medical treatment.

A common misconception exists regarding the legal and professional boundaries of dietitians, but in the United States and most countries, the answer is no: a registered dietitian (RD) cannot prescribe medication. This crucial distinction is defined by their unique scope of practice, which centers on nutritional intervention, education, and medical nutrition therapy, not pharmacological treatment.