• Alyssa Fontaine, RD
• Feb 21, 2025

What does a pediatric nutritionist and dietitians do?

The role of a pediatric nutritionist:

A pediatric nutritionist is an expert who specializes in the nutritional needs of infants, children and adolescents. They assess their dietary intakes and provide information about normal nutritional needs for proper growth and development. 

Good nutritional habits in childhood are crucial as this is the foundation to a lifetime of health and well-being. A pediatric dietitian can teach children (and also parents) about balanced nutrition and healthy food choices that will last a lifetime. 

Children grow rapidly both physically and mentally. Proper nutrition ensures they have enough energy and nutrients to grow sturdy bones and muscles, promote cognitive development, and build a strong immune system. As children have specific nutrient needs that vary with age, a pediatric dietician can address and prevent nutrient deficiencies. 

When children establish good eating habits early on, it can reduce the risk of childhood obesity. A diet rich in whole nutrient-dense foods also fuels the brain to improve focus, memory and learning capabilities. 

Pediatric dietitians will provide evidence-based advice tailored to the unique needs of each child. Nutritional guidance will be based on their individual age, developmental stage and activity level. They can also address specific health concerns your child might have, such as food allergies, intolerances, or medical conditions like celiac or anemia. 

Is it the right time to go see a pediatric nutritionist for my child? 

Picky Eating or Feeding Difficulties

Parents experiencing picky eating or feeding difficulties may want to seek out a pediatric nutritionist. Here are some common ways to recognize picky eating:

• Is your child constantly refusing to eat entire food groups such as vegetables or grains? 
• Are they eating a narrow range of foods? 
• Do they avoid certain food textures or appearances?
• Does your child’s eating behaviour cause stress at mealtimes?

If any of this applies to you, it may be time to seek out the help of a pediatric nutritionist.

Picky eaters will miss out on key nutrients such as iron, calcium or vitamins. A pediatric expert can access your child’s diet and recommend ways to fill in those nutritional gaps. 

Supplements may be used in some cases. They may also provide customized meal plans tailored to your child’s preferences and nutritional needs.

When meals are a source of stress or tension for the parent and child, a pediatric dietician can step in to provide strategies to make mealtimes more positive and less of a confrontation.

Food Allergies

Dairy, eggs, nuts, wheat, soy and fish are common sources of allergens. If your child has a confirmed food allergy, a pediatric nutritionist can help develop a safe and balanced meal plan that avoids allergens. At the same time, they ensure your child has all the nutrients necessary for proper growth. 

Sometimes food labels can be confusing for the parents, and they may not know what kind of cross-contamination risks there are. Having an expert’s help in this area will reduce the stress for the parents in making sure their child has adequate nutrients while avoiding harmful allergens. 

The pediatric nutritionist can also teach the parent how to minimize exposure at home and public settings. They can also provide strategies for navigating social situations such as school trips and birthday parties.

Medical Conditions

If your child has a chronic condition, such as diabetes, cystic fibrosis, or gastrointestinal disorders, it may be beneficial to seek out a pediatric dietitian. They can help your child manage their conditions with personalized meal plans that support their health and growth.

Depending on the medical condition, they can provide feeding strategies that address the specific needs of the condition while supporting overall health and growth. Their knowledge and expertise will ensure your child gets the right nutrients while managing their condition effectively.

The difference between a pediatric nutritionist and a pediatric dietitian:

It can be very confusing to understand the difference between a Pediatric Nutritionist and a Dietitian. The reality is that the answer depends on where you live.

In Canada, the titles Dietitian and Nutritionist are protected in all provinces, meaning a Dietitian is a Nutritionist, and a Nutritionist is a Dietitian.

Both Dietitians and Nutritionists must be members of a provincial college and hold a license to practice. To qualify, they need a bachelor’s degree in the appropriate field of study to become a member.

Now for the the United States, it’s less straightforward, a dietitian isn’t always a nutritionist, and unfortunately the title “nutritionist” isn’t as strictly regulated as it is in Canada.

Let us explain, while all registered dietitians can call themselves nutritionists, not everyone who calls themselves a nutritionist is a dietitian. The good news is that the title “Registered Dietitian” (RD or RDN) is a protected credential. Just like in Canada, it requires a degree in dietetics or nutrition, an internship, and passing a national exam.

On the other hand, the word nutritionist is often unregulated in the U.S., meaning anyone can use the title regardless of their education or training, unless the state has specific rules. Some states do regulate titles like “Licensed Nutritionist” (LN) or “Certified Nutrition Specialist” (CNS), which require higher qualifications. 

In the United States, we would recommend you work with a dietitian if you want to make sure you are working with someone who has more credentials for nutrition. 

A pediatric dietitian is a licensed healthcare professional with more formal academic and clinical training. They are able to work with more severe medical conditions in children, such as diabetes, cystic fibrosis and gastrointestional disorders. 

They must hold at least a bachelor’s degree in dietetics, nutrition or related fields, and pass a national licensing exam. 

What do I need to do if I want to become a pediatric nutritionist?

If you are interested in a career as a pediatric nutritionist, you will need to begin by taking courses related to nutrition, dietetics or public health in order to gain a solid knowledge foundation. Most pediatric nutritionists these days will have a degree or diploma in one of these fields. 

Courses such as food science, biochemistry and human physiology are there to equip future pediatric nutritionists with essential knowledge related to children’s dietary needs. You may also take additional courses like child development to further develop a pediatric focus. 

Having work experience with children will also be beneficial. This hands-on experience allows you to apply what you’ve learned in school to real-life settings. It will strengthen your knowledge of children’s nutritional needs, and help you decide if you’d like to specialize any further. 

How long will it take?

Depending on how far you plan to take your studies, getting a bachelor’s degree alongside work experience typically takes 4 years. If you’d like to pursue a master’s degree or further advanced certifications, it could add another 2-3 years to your timeline. 

How to get in touch with a pediatric nutritionist in Canada

Reaching out to your family doctor is a good first option! They will be able to get you a referral to a pediatric nutritionist. You may also visit www.dietitians.ca for a list of dietitians and nutritionists who specialize in pediatrics. 

Your local hospital or health clinic might also have pediatric nutritionists on their staff. 

If you’re looking for a private practice professional, you can search for clinics in your area.

Our team, Family Dietitians, is an online clinic specializing in pregnancy and pediatric dietitian and nutritionist services across Canada.

How to get in touch with a pediatric nutritionist in US

To find a pediatric nutritionist or dietitian in the US, you may visit eatright.org and use their Find a Nutrition Expert tool. This website makes it easy for you to find professionals by location, specialty and the unique services they offer.  

If you have an insurance provider in the States, you can contact your insurance company to see if nutritionists are covered under your policy. They may also be able to recommend pediatric dietitians in their network. 

To look for pediatric nutritionists and dietitians who work in private practice, you may try healthprofs.com to see who is near you.

If you are in need of telehealth services, Family Dietitians is a virtual clinic dedicated to providing specialized dietitian and nutritionist services for pregnancy and pediatrics throughout the United States.