Posted by kathryn in Miscellanea

Phew, I think that’s quite enough about carbohydrates and grains for the moment. I just have two more questions to answer and then I’m calling it a day. I’m really enjoying reading and researching the questions you’re sending in for Q&A Thursday, so keep them coming.

I’ve been asked the difference between a dietician and a nutritionist. Please note, I can only really talk about the situation here in Australia and my background. I’m not aware enough about what happens overseas to comment, although I do understand from my reading, that the terms are used in different ways overseas.

I’m a nutritionist and, while the primary focus of Limes & Lycopene is food and nutrition, I’m also a Western herbalist. As such, the focus and philosophy behind my training was from the naturopathic tradition and attitudes towards food. The basic principle of this is to view people as individuals and to treat the whole person, for lasting health improvement. It’s not just about physical health, but also emotional and mental. Food is a fundamental part of what I do, because to quote the phrase, “we are what we eat”.

Dieticians study at University and their training is much, much more science based than mine was. As well as consulting on a private level, dieticians are qualified to work in hospitals, in research and also in large-scale food preparation and service.

Dieticians know a lot more about the science of food and how different nutrients act in our bodies, than I do. Much of what I read and much of the most interesting research (I find) is being done by dieticians. I have a huge amount of respect for what they do and for the depth and breadth of their knowledge.

For me though, I’ve always been most attracted to naturopathic medicine, because it approaches the individual’s health problems in the context of their lives. It’s only through addressing a person’s physical, mental and emotional health, that true wellbeing can be attained.

07 June, 2007