dietitian

American  

[dahy-i-tish-uhn] / ˌdaɪ ɪˈtɪʃ ən /

Or dietician

noun

1. a person who is an expert in nutrition or dietetics.

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Etymology

Origin of dietitian

1840–50; diet ¹ + -itian; see -ician

Explanation

A healthcare worker who's an expert on food and nutrition is a dietitian. In hospitals, it's a dietitian's job to develop healthful menus for patients. A dietitian's education includes learning in detail about the specific ways diet and nutrients affect human bodies. School districts, nursing homes, and hospitals all hire dietitians to plan balanced meals. In the case of a school, that might involve creative ways of making vegetables taste great. Anyone who's concerned about their diet can consult a dietitian for advice.

Example Sentences

Not necessarily, says Kezia Joy, a registered dietitian, nutritionist and medical adviser at Welzo, a healthcare platform.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 30, 2026

But the consultant dietitian said another problem was an ageing population, meaning more people were struggling to feed themselves properly or access nutritious food due to chronic illness or mobility issues, for instance.

From BBC • Nov. 19, 2025

But there’s still a lot that scientists need to learn about fermented foods, said Dalia Perelman, a nutrition researcher and registered dietitian at Stanford.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 11, 2025

Caroline Weeks, a pediatric dietitian and nutritionist, posted a TikTok urging communities to think about Halloween “a little differently” this year.

From Salon • Oct. 30, 2025

Three became teachers, one became a nurse, and one became a dietitian.

From "While the World Watched: A Birmingham Bombing Survivor Comes of Age during the Civil Rights Movement" by Carolyn Maull McKinstry