Nutrition Coach vs. Dietitian: What’s the Difference? (Chattanooga Perspective)
When you’re ready to get support with your nutrition, it can be confusing to know where to start.
Do you need a dietitian or a nutritionist/nutrition coach?
These titles are often used interchangeably, but they actually mean very different things — especially in terms of training, scope of practice, and how they can help you reach your goals.
In this post, I’ll break down the differences in a simple, no-fluff way — and help you figure out who’s the right fit for what you need right now.
Registered Dietitian (RD): The Clinical Expert
Registered Dietitians (also known as RDs or RDNs) are licensed professionals who are trained to provide medical nutrition therapy.
To earn the RD title, they must complete:
A bachelor’s or master’s degree in nutrition or dietetics
Over 1,000 hours of supervised clinical experience
A national credentialing exam
Ongoing continuing education
RDNs often work in hospitals, clinics, or specialty practices. They’re the go-to professionals for managing medical conditions like diabetes, kidney disease, heart issues, or eating disorders.
If your doctor has recommended dietary intervention for a medical diagnosis, a registered dietitian is 100% the right place to start.
Nutrition Coach: A Broad, Often Unregulated Term
The term “nutritionist” sounds official — but in most states, including Tennessee, it’s not a regulated title.
That means anyone can call themselves a nutritionist, whether they’ve taken a course… or none at all.
Some nutritionists hold advanced degrees and certifications — others may not have any formal training. If you’re working with someone who calls themselves a nutritionist, just make sure to ask:
What’s their training or certification?
Are they qualified to support you with any diagnoses that you may have?
What kind of support do they offer?
Read “Choosing a Nutrition Coach Near Me: 5 Tips” for more questions to ask in finding the right nutritionist for you.
Behavior Change, Support & Accountability
Many healthy individuals are looking for help with:
Fat Loss
Body Composition Changes
Improving energy or performance
Building long-term nutrition habits
Mindset help to support their weight loss journey
This is where a nutrition coach will be able to support you.
I don’t diagnose or treat medical conditions — that’s outside of my scope.
But what I do offer is powerful if your goal is to feel better in your body, build confidence with food, and actually follow through on your goals.
Read more about my services here.
Not Sure Who You Need? Use This Simple Guide:
If you're trying to decide between working with a dietitian or a nutrition coach, it comes down to this:
Managing a medical condition (like diabetes, PCOS, gut issues, or food allergies) = Work with a dietician
Losing fat, building muscle, improving habits, or learning how to fuel your body better = Work with a nutrition coach
Still unsure? A simple rule of thumb:
See a dietitian when your nutrition needs are tied to a medical condition.
Work with a coach when you want personalized support, accountability, and a lifestyle-focused approach to your goals.
PCOS & Endometriosis
Many women in Chattanooga reach out to me for help with nutrition while navigating conditions like PCOS or Endometriosis. These can make weight loss feel even more frustrating and often come with other challenges.
If you're looking for a trusted dietitian in Chattanooga who specializes in PCOS and hormone-related conditions, I highly recommend Madison Templeton, RD. She provides compassionate, evidence-based support for women struggling with PCOS, infertility, and endometriosis.
How a Nutrition Coach Can Help with Weight Loss
Coaching is about more than just giving you a set of macros.
When I work with clients on fat loss, we focus on:
Creating a personalized plan that works with your lifestyle
Weekly check-ins and ongoing support
Mindset and identity shifts that help you keep the weight off
Building confidence with food — knowing how to be intentional with your nutrition no matter where you’re at.
If you’re ready to finally feel good in your body and know how to maintain your progress, coaching could be your next step.
Want to go deeper into what this looks like?
Read The Ultimate Guide to Nutrition Coaching & Healthy Weight Loss in Chattanooga.
Still Not Sure Who’s Right for You?
I get it — there’s a lot of noise out there and so many options.
If you’re still comparing options, I wrote this to help: Choosing a Nutrition Coach Near Me: 5 Tips
It’ll help you figure out what kind of support you’re actually looking for — and how to know if someone is the right fit for you.
Final Thoughts
You don’t have to figure this all out alone.
If your goals are rooted in improving your relationship with food, getting more consistent, and making real changes that stick — I’d love to walk with you.
Send me a message and we’ll chat!
Let’s figure out what’s been holding you back and make a plan that works for YOU.
