About Rachel Hilts, R.D.

Rachel Hilts, Registered Dietitian (she/her)

I’m a Registered Dietitian based in Nova Scotia with a Bachelor of Science in Applied Human Nutrition (Dietetics major) from Mount Saint Vincent University. I completed my clinical internship with Nova Scotia Health and the North End Community Health Centre, where I gained experience supporting clients across diverse communities and stages of life.

Throughout my training, I became deeply interested in how nutrition can support reproductive and hormone health—particularly in the preconception and pregnancy stages - and how evidence-based guidance can make a meaningful difference in overall well-being.

Since completing my degree, I’ve pursued advanced training in breastfeeding and lactation, fertility and prenatal nutrition, and disordered eating. My approach is rooted in the Health at Every Size® philosophy and emphasizes intuitive, mindful eating to help clients reconnect with their body’s cues, nourish themselves without guilt, and build sustainable nutrition habits.

When I’m not talking about food (which is rare), you can find me reading, spending time by the water, or relaxing with my partner and our two cats (Biggie Smalls and Raekwon).

I am licensed with the Nova Scotia Regulator of Dietetics # 1585.

What is a Dietitian?

Dietitians are experts in human nutrition and regulation of the diet. Nutrition counselling with a Dietitian focuses on dietary intake, medical nutrition therapy, and lifestyle management. Dietitians are regulated healthcare professionals that are licensed to assess and treat nutrition diagnosis’ with high quality, evidence-based nutrition interventions. Dietitians work with you to help you feel empowered by your food choices, and to understand not just the specifics of what to eat, but also why and how we eat. Their advice and information provided is client-centered and tailored to your personal needs.

What makes a Professional or Registered Dietitian different from holistic nutritionists?

In Nova Scotia, the term Nutritionist is also protected by the NSRD and means the same as Dietitian, however in many other parts of the country this is not the case. When Nutritionist is not a protected term, it is often referring to someone who has not undergone the same rigorous training and licensing as a Dietitian, and they are typically not regulated health professionals. To be sure you are accessing the most qualified nutrition professional, look for the initials RD or PDt (DtP in French) after the health professional's name.

When you seek nutrition support, you should look for a regulated health professional such as a Professional or Registered Dietitian for the following reasons:

Education. A Registered Dietitian has at least 5 years of nutrition education including an accredited  bachelor of science/applied science specializing in Dietetics and completion of an accredited 1-year comprehensive internship to gain competencies in order to practice in Canada. Dietitians are able to provide general nutrition advice as well as medical nutrition therapy for specific medical conditions.

Accountability & Reliability. Dietitians are health care professionals and are regulated by a governing provincial body to ensure ethical and safe care is provided. Dietitians, just like engineers and medical doctors, are accountable to these provincial regulatory bodies for the highest standards of education and ethics. The provincial regulatory bodies are in place to protect the public, and they also serve as a point of contact for consumer complaints and malpractice.

Care. Dietitians provide holistic care focused on the whole person in order to provide comprehensive, individualized care. Dietitians factor many aspects into their care plans, including health, history, lifestyle, and food security.