ABSTRACT Objective To carry out a mapping of the historical trajectory of the professional associations of nutritionists (scientific associations, councils and professional labor unions) in Brazil. Methods The study consists of a historical-documentary analysis. To obtain the data, information and documents, the websites of the Federal Council of Nutritionists; Brazilian Association of Food and Nutrition; National Federation of Nutritionists and Nutritionists’ Unions were browsed. A systematic bibliographic survey was carried out in the databases of the Scientific Electronic Library Online and National Library of Medicine to retrieve scientific articles about the associations of nutritionists in Brazil over the 80 years of their history, focusing on the last ten years. Results The historical analysis indicates that, over the course of eighty years, there has been strengthening of professional associations of nutritionists and achievements concerning training regulation, professional practice, fields of work and working conditions. The labor reform act of 2017 reduces the rights related to working conditions, creating setbacks in the achievements of nutritionists. Conclusion The professional associations of nutritionists have played an important role in the process of professionalization and legitimacy of training and performance of the profession in the country. There are indications of the unified performance of professional associations, but it is still incipient and scarce. Nowadays, unified, transparent and committed action of these professional associations is imperative for the professionalization and improvements of the working conditions of Brazilian nutritionists.