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Nutritionist - Career Profile |
Career OverviewA nutritionist studies the science of food and how it affects the body. They provide guidance to patients on proper eating and good eating habits, based on their experience in the field. Nutritionists are also called dietitians and their principle function is to help people recognize the importance of food and a healthy diet in maintaining a healthy lifestyle and in fighting disease.
To promote health, nutritionists collect data about their client’s current diet and their nutritional needs. They offer recommendations for improving diet and they also make suggestions about the optimal varying and portioning of food. Many nutritionists offer group programs for common diet-related health issues such as obesity, diabetes, and high-cholesterol.
Many people seek advance on their diet, including athletes and manual laborers who regularly exert themselves and expend a great deal of energy on a regular basis as part of their daily activities. Growing children, the obese, the underweight, the elderly, and the infirm also have special dietary requirements and may consult or be referred to a nutritionist or dietician to ensure that those needs are met.
Nutritionists obtain information about their client’s nutritional needs and prepare meal plans and programs that meet those needs. Diabetics, for example, often need help choosing tasty foods that do not raise their blood sugar level, the obese need help avoiding excess calories and fats, and the very active need help to obtain a healthy but higher-than-average caloric intake. All the while, when designing a diet plan, personal preferences and any food allergies must be taken into consideration.
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Career RequirementsThe educational and training requirements for nutritionists vary considerably, depending on the position. Some entry positions require only one year of training in nutrition. Most require at least an associate’s degree and the better positions require bachelor’s or even, in some cases, master’s degrees.
All nutritionists must be registered with the American Nutritional Dietetics Association. For more information about courses and registration, contact the following organization:
The American Dietetics Association
120 S. Riverside Plaza, Ste 2000,
Chicago, IL 60606
www.eatright.org
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Job OutlookThe better educated and trained an individual is, the better their job potential. Registration with the American Dietetic Association is another asset for professionals in this field.
Employment opportunities are considered fair in general but they are better for those with advanced training, education, and qualifications.
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Career TrackAdvancement is possible with experience and successes with patients. Most promotions are to supervisory positions at larger facilities.
Most nutritionists are employed in hospitals, nursing homes, extended-care centers, clinics, health clubs, weight-loss organizations, and sports training camps. Most of these jobs are full-time and equal a forty-hour week with varying shifts. Many are also self-employed.
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CompensationStandard compensation for nutritionists ranges between $25,000 and $60,000 per year depending upon experience and the precise nature of the job. Additional benefits may include paid vacations, medical and dental insurance, and disability insurance.
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