What is the difference between a Registered Dietitian and a Nutritionist?

A Registered Dietitian (RDN) is a licensed medical provider while a nutritionist can be anyone (like your favorite Instagram influencer) who gives/sells nutrition advice or products. The biggest difference is education. To become an RDN, I had to complete my Master’s degree in Nutrition, a Dietetic Internship (basically the nutrition version of a residency program), and pass the RD Exam to earn my credential. Some states require additional licensure, but Colorado (where I am based) does not. Nutritionists do not require any formal education; however, some states do require a nutritionist license to practice (which is still different from the RDN credential).

What services do you provide as a Registered Dietitian?

I provide two main services as a Dietitian: Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) & Nutrition Coaching sessions.

What is the difference between Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) & Nutrition Coaching?

Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) usually (but not always) involves managing a chronic condition (such as diabetes, IBS, IBD, etc.) by assessing, diagnosing, treating/prescribing, monitoring, and evaluating said condition with a patient. The process is highly regimented, individualized and may involve prescribing a highly specific nutrition care plan. This is a medical service that can only be rendered in certain situations.

Nutrition Coaching, on the other hand, is a subcategory of Health & Wellness Coaching. Health & Wellness Coaching is defined as a client-centered process that helps to empower clients with the ability to achieve self-determined goals related to health & wellness. Nutrition Coaching is legal in all states and can be rendered to anyone.

What nutrition services do you provide as a running coach?

I include nutrition coaching services in most running coaching packages. In my running coaching packages/sessions, we do not discuss chronic conditions or MNT. Instead, we discuss general sports nutrition guidelines and how they pertain to you. It is strictly dissemination of nutrition information for health & wellness purposes. You can find this information in scientific studies, on podcasts, or in textbooks on your own if you wanted to. As a coach, part of my job is to consolidate this information into practical guidelines for you to save time and make sure you are achieving your health goals.

What services do you provide in Nutrition Coaching sessions?

Nutrition Coaching services are designed to help you optimize performance and/or general health & wellness. This is a client-centered process that is designed for individuals to learn more about topics such as sports nutrition, older adult nutrition, nutrition for high blood pressure, diabetes, IBS, IBD, weight loss, etc. or focus on general nutrition recommendations as they pertain to Nutrition Coaching. As you can see, nutrition education is a large part of coaching. Additional services rendered by a nutrition coach may include an assessment of energy, macronutrient, and hydration needs, a food log analysis, a labs analysis, daily nutrition recommendations/meal planning assistance, nutrition recommendations for before, during and after exercise, supplement reviews, and accountability support among other things.

Can you be my MNT provider?

Short answer: It depends on what state you are in.

Long answer: Being a Registered Dietitian is a national accreditation; however, most individual states require additional state licensure for a Dietitian to provide Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT). States that do not require additional licensure include: Colorado, Arizona, California, Michigan and Virginia. This means that if you live in any of these states, I can provide you with MNT services. Note, licensure is correlated to where YOU, the patient lives, not where I, the provider lives (Colorado). Also note, I can provide MNT services in states I choose to get individually licensed in (which is TBD at the moment).

With this said, all states allow Health & Wellness Coaching, and because nutrition is part of health & wellness, I can provide you with Nutrition Coaching regardless of your location.

Do you accept insurance for nutrition services?

At the moment, I do not accept insurance. It is a complicated and lengthy process. In due time, I am confident that I will. Also note, only MNT services are eligible for insurance.

Why are Coaching & Nutrition Services separate services on your website?

Most endurance athletes have a running Coach, Dietitian, and Physical Therapist to meet all of their training needs. In most all cases, each of these services is provided by different individuals. One strength of working with me is that you get a “two-for-one,” in that I am both a Coach & Dietitian. However, because some athletes need or want help in one facet rather than the other, I did my best to create training packages and offer individual services that meet everyone’s needs.

How did you determine your pricing?

I have spent a lot of time examining both the endurance coaching market and nutrition services market and believe my pricing is at/below industry standards. I price my services this way because I want my services to remain accessible to the public while still paying respect to myself and the formal education required to attain my level of expertise in nutrition and as a coach. Nutrition services do cost more due to the educational requirements I have attained than coaching services do.

Do you offer any pricing discounts?

If you are a student, military, parent, or are in any other position where you are struggling financially but still wants to work with a Coach or Dietitian, please reach out to me directly to discuss further. I will do my very best to work with you. Note, these discounted coaching slots are limited.