What’s the average cost of a Nutritionist and Dietitian?

What’s the difference between a Nutritionist and Dietitian? 

Many people think nutritionists and dietitians are the same professions when they have some vital differences. It’s important to know the difference between them to know what option is right for you. A nutritionist is an individual who is qualified to give information and advice about dietary choices, but not concerning specific medical conditions. 

While there are no formal requirements to become a nutritionist, many have qualifications in a related field. 

Nutritionists often work on a freelance basis and some also work alongside dietitians within a clinical setting.

In Australia, the requirements to become a dietitian include holding a university degree in nutrition and dietitians, including one to two years of master’s level study at a minimum. 

The role of a dietitian is to guide individuals about their health concerns. Dietitians often work as part of a clinical team to treat health conditions such as allergies, diabetes, eating disorders, malnutrition and other disorders of the body. They can also work with healthy people to enhance their diet. 

The practice as a whole combines elements of biochemistry, physiology and research methods that relate to the science of nutrition. 

What’s the average cost of a Nutritionist and Dietitian? 

Here’s a rough breakdown of the average cost of hiring a Nutritionist or Dietitian in Australia: 

Factors influencing cost: 

 The cost of hiring a nutritionist or dietitian is impacted by a few key factors, including: 

• Whether you choose a nutritionist or dietitian 

• Your location 

• The number of visits 

Nutritionist or Dietitian - what’s the best option for me? 

As they are not qualified to give nutritional advice with certain medical conditions, nutritionists aren’t as expensive as dietitians. On average, you’ll pay $20 - $50 per hour for a nutritionist. Though this is certainly a good option if you are looking to clean up your diet and live a healthier lifestyle. Starting at $30 on average per hour and increasing to $150 per hour, dietitians are the most expensive option. Freelance dietitians may offer half or full-day appointments, which range between $150  and $200 a day for the most experienced professionals. 

However, if you have a specific medical condition that requires tailored advice, then the money is well worth it, especially as you can’t put a price on your health. 

Your location 

It costs between $20 and $50 on average for a single nutritionist appointment. Some nutritionists will offer discounts for block bookings, and even combine their services with personal training too. At the higher end of the pricing scale is booking in a half-day or full-day appointment, which can range between $100 and $180 depending on your location.

Number of visits

You’ll likely need a nutritionist or dietitian over an extended period, as making long-term, considerable changes to your diet can’t be achieved overnight. Your professional will probably charge per every session, but some will offer a package of multiple sessions, often at a discounted price. There must be an end goal in mind, as you want to feel as if you are getting value for money with every visit. 

Other considerations 

Here are some additional factors you need to think about if you’re considering hiring a nutritionist or dietitian: 

Allergies or dietary restrictions

Switching up your diet is a huge step, and while it can produce amazing results it does need to be done mindful of any allergies or dietary issues you have. Flag any food allergies to your nutritionist or dietitian as early as possible before they create your diet plan. 

Alternatively, if you aren’t sure, a food allergy test costs around $200. You can also consult your doctor who can refer you to an allergy clinic, but this may take longer to arrange than a test you can order through the post. 

Goals

When pricing up the cost of a nutritionist or dietitian, it’s always helpful to have a list of goals in mind. For example, are you looking to lose weight, train for a marathon or even looking to reduce inflammation in the body? 

Communicating your goals will make sure your professional is best placed in helping you to achieve them. 

Every nutritionist will focus on a different area of specialism, so it’s important to know what you want to get out of the experience so you can choose the right professional for the job.

Lifestyle

There’s no point in altering your diet if your lifestyle is unhealthy, as the two are closely related. 

You need to be honest with your nutritionist or dietitian about how often you eat out, especially if you also eat a lot of takeaway food. They are going to need an honest picture of where you’re at, and any bad habits that could be hampering your progress. 

Often meal prepping will be suggested, and while this does take time to organise it will ensure you stay on track with your nutrition. Whatsmore from a price perspective, meal prepping will save you a lot of money in the long run. Especially compared to those expensive takeaways!

Exercise

A healthy diet is optimised by regular exercise. In terms of your nutrition plan, the specialist you see will need to factor in how many calories you are realistically burning. After all, if you are very active then you’ll need to ensure your calorie intake is enough to sustain this, otherwise, you could end up feeling fatigued.

Even light exercise will help you get the most out the money you spend on nutritional advice. However, it’s also important to be honest if you do not incline to exercise as the plan could be tailored incorrectly for your needs. 

Getting a Nutritionist or Dietitian - is it worth the cost? 

As the old saying goes, ‘you are what you eat’. If what you are eating isn’t giving you the energy to face the day, then you might need the help of a nutritionist. If your issue is specific to a medical condition, then a dietitian will be better value for money as they are most equipped to tailor your plan to treat the issue. Either way, investing in your diet could help you save money in the long run by avoiding the wrong foods. It will also ensure you feel like the healthiest version of yourself. 

Find a Nutritionist or Dietitian on Bark and feel better inside and out.