To compare development of nutrition education messages coordinated by nutritionists in primary health care settings in São Paulo, Brazil and Bogotá, Colombia. Nutrition education has been recognized as being instrumental to promoting healthy eating. Specific steps to establishing amotivating and changing behavior with regards to planning, taking action, and reinforcing are essential. A descriptive qualitative study was conducted using comparative methodology with nutritionists who were working in a family health support team in São Paulo and with those in Bogotá who were working with intervention plans. Three approaches were used: online questionnaire, semi-structured interview and systematic observation. Reported activity concerning the messages was gleaned from collective discourse at a group meeting using a semi-structured interview. Fifty-four interviews and 41 observations were conducted. Message types were identified. In São Paulo the professional autonomy allowed a greater level of specificity in addressing content, but focused mainly on nutrition related disease. In Bogotá, the selection of topics was centralized, but directed especially towards health promotion. Nutrition education process evaluation helps nutritionists understand the role of potential facilitators for change.