Dietitians are university educated with at least 1250 hours of supervised, hands-on training in food systems, disease management, population health, and communications and counselling. They are regulated health professionals and the title 'dietitian' is protected by law. Dietitians translate complex scientific evidence into practical solutions to promote health and manage special health conditions. They specialize in working with individuals and groups to improve eating habits and to address the nutritional needs of people with complex health problems towards improving health outcomes.

Dietitians work with all age groups and some areas of practice include: healthy eating/general nutrition, healthy weight, adolescent/teen nutrition issues, athletic performance/active living, body image, breastfeeding/infant feeding, child nutrition issues, chronic disease management, men's and women's health issues, pregnancy, nutrition for seniors and vegetarianism.

Dietitians also specialize in clinical nutrition management for people with or at risk of developing diseases such as anemia, cancer, heart disease, diabetes/glucose intolerance, digestive disorders, eating disorders, food allergies/intolerance, hypo/hyper glycemia, modified diets, nutrition/energy deficiency, obesity/weight control, parenteral/enteral/tube feeding and sports nutrition.

A dietitians' skills and services include: adult education, cooking classes/food demonstrations, corporate health and wellness programs, group counselling, individual counselling, media, coaching, nutrition screening/assessment, presentation/workshops, grocery store tours and writing.