A Registered Dietitian (RD) or Licensed Dietitian Nutritionist (LDN) is a food and nutrition expert who must obtain a relevant bachelor’s degree (typically a master’s), complete a supervised practice program, and pass a national examination in order to earn their credentials. They also must meet strict continuing education requirements. A nutritionist, on the other hand, is not required to meet these same requirements in order to use the title. In fact, in many states, “Nutritionist” is an unregulated term meaning that anybody, regardless of educational background, can call themselves a nutritionist.