How much does a Nutritionist and Dietitian cost?

What’s the difference between a Nutritionist and a Dietitian? 

We often think of nutritionists and dietitians as the same thing. While they are certainly cut from the same cloth, some key differences make them very separate professions. 

 Let’s take a look at what they are, and more importantly, which one is right for you. 

Nutritionist

A nutritionist offers advice on how to live a healthier lifestyle through the correct dietary choices, but not about specific medical conditions. Their role may involve educating their clients on food nutrition, drawing up diet plans, and tracking clients’ progress. Nutritionists may have varying levels of education. 

Dietitian

A dietitian is a regulated health professional who is required to go through rigorous training to practice. 

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 conventionally healthy people to enhance their diet. 

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

If you’re keen to hire a nutritionist or a dietitian but you’re confused about costs, we’ve done a bit of research and put together the average costs based on professionals in Canada: 

Factors impacting costs 

The cost of a nutritionist or dietitian can change depending on: 

• Whether you choose a nutritionist or dietitian 

• The number of visits 

• Other considerations 

Choosing between a Nutritionist or Dietitian 

Nutritionists tend to be the more cost-effective option as they don’t have the same level of qualifications and training to offer nutritional advice about certain medical conditions. 

They’re the most suitable option if you don’t suffer from any health conditions, but you’re simply looking to live a healthier lifestyle. 

If you’re looking to understand why the foods you choose may affect a certain health condition, then a dietitian is the right option for you. Freelance dietitians may offer half or full-day appointments, which range between $80 and $160 a day for the most experienced professionals. 

It should cost you between $14 and $35 for a nutritionist appointment in Canada. Some nutritionists will offer discounts for block bookings, and even combine their services with personal training too. The most expensive option is to have a day or half-day appointment with a nutritionist, which ranges between $70 and $150 depending on where you’re based. 

Number of visits

After your initial consultation, you will need to know how much their entire program is going to cost you. While it may be more manageable to pay per hour, you could save money by booking multiple appointments at once as you may get a discount on the hourly rate. 

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 

To ensure you get the most out of your nutritionist or dietitian treatment, there are some key factors you need to take into account:  

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 with consideration of any allergies or dietary issues you have. If you are aware of any food allergies, then you will need to inform your dietitian or nutritionist before you allow them to draw up a plan for you. 

If you’re unsure then it’s worth taking a food allergy test, which is usually $250 on average. 

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? 

Being able to communicate your goals will make sure you and your professional are aligned on what you need out of the sessions to help you get there. 

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

Food and lifestyle are closely linked. You need to be honest with your nutritionist or dietitian about what your diet is like, 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. 

A great way to stay on top of your diet is meal prepping. While it does take a certain amount of organization and effort, it’s the easiest way to stay on track with your dietary goals. After all, it’s far more difficult to say yes to a takeaway pizza when you know you have a tasty, healthy meal ready and waiting in your fridge! 

Exercise

The truth is that you need both good nutrition and exercise to feel your best. 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 of 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. 

Is hiring a Nutritionist or Dietitian worth it? 

As the old saying goes, ‘you are what you eat’. If what you are eating isn’t making you feel healthy and full of energy, then it’s worth consulting a professional in the form 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. Feeling the healthiest and most energized version of yourself will help you to tackle whatever life throws at you. 

Feel fantastic inside and out with the help of a Nutritionist or Dietitian on Bark.