It’s one way you can be assured the advice and information you’re receiving is sound. We wouldn’t seek a celebrity’s advice on how to build a bridge, you’d ask a professional engineer. We wouldn’t just ask a neighbour who has an interest in medicine to provide us with medical advice. The same should apply for nutrition advice. Dietitians, just like engineers and medical doctors, are accountable to provincial regulatory bodies for the highest standards of education and ethics. These provincial regulatory bodies protect the public and serve as a point of contact for consumer complaints and malpractice. For more information or to verify if your nutrition provider is registered, you can contact the regulatory body in your province. Titles like registered holistic nutritionist and certified nutritional practitioner aren’t the same as registered dietitian and do not indicate the person is a provincially regulated health professional. They’re often used by those who’ve completed privately owned training programs, that vary widely in length and rigour. Be sure to check the qualifications of any professional that provides advice on health and nutrition. Getting the wrong advice can be harmful.