Nutrition counselling also referred to as nutritional therapy/dietary counselling involves working one-on-one with a nutrition specialist or dietitian. It involves the reception of individualized nutrition advice and management to mentor you achieve your nutrition and health objectives: weight management, cardio-metabolic health, under-nutrition, resolving eating disorders etc . It is more relational in that it is not limited to the provision of information but promotes a collaborative and supportive approach where you as the client feels heard and understood in addition to helping you adopt healthy practices suitable for you. The information is more personalized taking into account your age, nutrition status, lifestyle habits, preferences, finances etc.
Nutrition education involves disseminating general nutrition information. It is mainly tailored for larger audiences and purposes to inform rather than advise. It targets to impart knowledge about the basics of a particular subject matter.
To illustrate, nutrition education may encourage you to reduce your calorie intake and engage in some exercise to manage your weight. However, nutrition counselling will further specify the estimated amounts you may require to achieve that weight loss, how much exercise and how to employ these strategies to ensure that you achieve your weight loss goals.
Nutrition education provides more general information and is more suited for a wider audience while nutrition counselling provides more individualized information that accounts for one’s behaviours and habits on food and nutrition.