How to Become a Nutritionist

About Nutritionist

A career as a Nutritionist majorly includes making diet plans for people besides teaching them about the importance of healthy eating. Nutrition improves health and wellness and promotes the role of food as a necessary preventive health care system. Nowadays, the lifestyle and outlook of people are changing. On the other hand, the focus of education has shifted from finishing and grooming programmes such as cooking and catering to the domains of fitness, preventive health care and nutrition. The main role of the nutritionist is to promote the idea of good health through proper eating habits. Therefore, they prepare diet charts, emphasize on exercises, select food items, and explain how to build one's metabolism and so on and so forth. Basically, Nutritionists advise people on the types and quantity of food intake required specifically to increase or decrease their body weight. Through the promotion of a healthy diet, nutritionists try to help improve their patients’ quality of life and promote the overall welfare of their patients. Many nutritionists are self-employed with a private practice, but others contribute to a larger team in hospitals, nursing homes or clinics. In these settings, nutritionists can advise patients, develop diet plans based on a patient’s health concerns, evaluate the cost and can promote better nutrition. Nutritionists have a great opportunity to change the way one thinks about food and nutrition and ultimately improve the quality of life of people.

A qualified and skilled professional, a nutritionist advises clients on a variety of nutritional issues and emphasises the value of eating a healthy, balanced diet. Everyone wants to stay fit and healthy in today's world, so they consult nutritionists for advice on how to maintain their health and create a properly structured meal plan. Consequently, there is a rise in the need for nutritionists. For patients or clients who want to change their diet into a healthy one, nutritionists are experts at suggesting diets and food lists. All major hospitals employ nutritionists who can recommend diet plans to patients.  In India, there are more than 8000 certified nutritionists, according to the Dietetics Regulatory Body, but a study by the Public Health Foundation of India, which was presented to the Union Health Ministry, found that the country is 2.36 Lakh nutritionists short. To be a Nutritionist after the 12th class, students must enroll in Undergraduate and Postgraduate Nutrition Science Courses at any of the country's top Nutrition Colleges. Admission to these colleges is granted based on both entrance exams and merit. Hospitals, healthcare facilities, government health organisations, schools, fitness centres, health industrial companies, and other organisations are always looking for nutritionists. Nutritionists are employed by Le Meridien, Vatika Group, Accor Hospitality, Taj Group of Hotels, and Hyatt Corporation. Following completion of a Nutrition degree, one can pursue a career as a Clinical Nutritionist, Paediatric Nutritionist, Sports Nutritionist, Consultant Nutritionist, Public Health Nutritionist, and so on.

Roles and Responsibility of a Nutritionist 

For the best health advancement, a nutrition professional advises individuals, families, and organisations on how to modify diet, lifestyle, and mindset. They can assist people with previously identified diseases in identifying biochemical imbalances and toxicity that result in ill health by working with a qualified healthcare provider.

The following are some of the roles and responsibilities of a nutritionist:

• Make meal plans for clients who want to lose weight, gain muscle, or meet other nutritional goals
• Consult with clients about healthy nutrition and diet options
• Create written meal plans for distribution to members
• Manage your and our personal trainers' consultation calendars
• Monthly blog post on nutritional habits and practises for our website

Eligibility to become Nutritionist

"How to Become a Nutritionist?" is a question to which, every aspirant must looking an answer. In order to become a nutritionist, students must choose science stream in Class 12. Usually, there will be no entrance test for undergraduate and postgraduate level courses in nutrition. There are several courses offered in this field by recognized institutions/ universities in India. In addition to acquiring a degree in the field of the nutrition, students need to upgrade their skills from time to time. The higher-level jobs in the field of nutrition can only be achieved through better skills in the field.

Subject Combination: In order to take a Bachelor course in Nutrition, students must select Science stream in Class 12 with Biology as one of the main subjects of study.

Eligibility:

Undergraduate Level: For BSc in Food Science, Home Science and Nutrition, candidates should have passed class 12 examination with science stream from a recognized university/board.

Postgraduate Level: For M.Sc. in Food and Nutrition with specialisation in therapeutic nutrition, public health nutrition or food science, candidates must have a bachelor degree in science stream from a recognised university/institution. If you want to specialise in Food and Nutrition, then the subjects include biochemistry, food microbiology, food safety, food science and quality control, advanced human nutrition, physiology and principles of food science.

PG Diploma: A one-year post graduate diploma in Dietetics and Public Health Nutrition is also an option to become a nutritionist.

Steps to Become a Nutritionist

Certain steps must be taken in order to become a nutritionist. After class 10, he or she must study Science. Otherwise, it becomes extremely difficult because a nutritionist must have a strong understanding of biology.

• Make a Choice: Before pursuing a career as a nutritionist, one should be aware of his or her own areas of interest. Based on this, a candidate can apply to colleges that offer Nutrition programmes
• Choosing the Correct Subjects: To become a Nutritionist, you must have knowledge of the appropriate subjects beginning with your 10+2. Physics, Biology, and Chemistry can be chosen in 10+2, whereas Post-Graduation requires a Graduation in Nutrition. Food Processing and Technology, Herbs and Home Remedies, Food Science, Health Psychology, Life Cycle Nutrition, Diet Therapy, Human Physiology, and so on are also required. These are the subjects that students will study during their graduation or post-graduate studies
• Preparation for Entrance Examination: The subjects or syllabus for the entrance exam should be familiar to you, and you should always keep an eye out for entrance exam announcements as you prepare for the entrance examination. Candidates can consult NCERT books on biology, chemistry, and other subjects, such as physics
• Get admission to a good college: Acquiring admission to a reputable college has never been simple due to the fact that many colleges offer the same amenities, which frequently leads to confusion among students. However, finding a good college can be made much easier with thorough research and a report on the college. One must be aware of how well they understand the course and why they are enrolling in it. They should also thoroughly research the college's ratings, rankings, placements, faculty, facilities, cost comparison, etc. Speaking with seniors and alumni can be very helpful when making decisions. Finally, they should be prepared with all necessary paperwork
• After Qualifying Exam: Following the qualifying exam, a candidate will be contacted for a group discussion and a personal interview. Based on the results of the entrance exam, some colleges offer direct admission. The college will call you for a post-document verification interview during which you will be given an admissions offer

Courses to Become a Nutritionist

A student can pursue a BSc in Nutrition and Dietetics after their 12th grade year and then an MSc in Nutrition and Dietetics to become a nutritionist. Clinical nutrition, public health nutrition, food science and technology, and sports nutrition are the four main specialised areas of nutrition covered by the MSc in Nutrition and Dietetics. There are opportunities to work as a nutritionist in each of these fields.

Skills Required to Become a Nutritionist

For your convenience, the top skill sets that should be mastered to become a nutritionist are listed below.

• Ability to manage
• Abilities to listen
• Knowledge of food ingredients
• Abilities in research, planning, and communication, as well as the capabilities to inspire others

Types of Job Roles Nutritionist

After attaining the required educational qualification and skills, there are a variety of job roles for a nutritionist available in this field. The following are some of the job profiles available in the field of Nutrition:

Food Service Nutritionists: They usually work in school cafeterias, restaurants and other large-scale food establishments. They do routine audits and inspections to ensure kitchen staff and managers are in compliance with regulatory standards. Food Service Nutritionists also recommend special dietary concerns and food allergies.

Clinical Nutritionists: They work in medical settings, such as doctors offices, hospitals, and clinics. These nutritionists are in charge of providing medical nutrition therapy, particularly the medical method used to treat diseases by tailoring the diet.

Sports Nutritionists: They usually work with athletes and coaches to ensure top athletic performance. Apart from this, they make a diet plan according to the requirements of nutrients of each athlete. They also collaborate with athletic trainers to prevent injuries and help athletes in recovering.

Public Health Nutritionist: A public health nutritionist is responsible for explaining important nutritional issues to people in the risk communities. They also assess the health and dietary requirements of patients. Apart from this, they also develop effective diet plans, accounting for cost and cultural preferences.

Consultant Nutritionist: The Consultant Nutritionist reviews a patient's current eating habits and welfare goals, such as losing weight, treating a disease or preventing future health issues.

Pediatric Nutritionist: The role of pediatric nutrition specialists revolves around the health of children, with and without special needs, for obesity or diabetes. They also advise children or parents about healthy eating and basic nutrition.

Employment Sector/Industry for Nutritionist

Nutritionists can find great employment opportunities to advance in their careers. No matter the setting, the job of a nutritionist is to promote healthy eating and good nutrition. There is a lot of scope for prospective nutritionists, it is clear from the fact that a large number of youngsters are taking up a career as Nutritionists. Apart from joining private or government hospitals, Nutritionists can find lucrative placements with huge salaries in corporate hospitals. The following are some of the organisations where a nutritionist can take up jobs:

• Hospitals (Government and Private)
• Multinational Corporations (MNCs)
• Research and Advocacy
• Schools
• Private Clinics
• Nursing Homes
• Community Health Programmes
• Home Health Care Agencies
• Wellness Centers
• Fitness Clubs (Gyms and Aerobic centres)
• Health Product Companies (Pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals and FMCGs)
• Diabetic Clinics
• Wellness Startups
• Government agencies working for social welfare and development, public health departments
• International food organizations such as United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization, US AID, and other non-profit organisations

Top Recruiting Companies for Nutritionists

The top 5 companies in the hospitality industry hiring nutrition professionals are as mentioned below:

• Accor Hospitality
• Hyatt Corporation
• Vatika Group
• Le Meridien
• Taj Group of Hotels

Apart from this, there are many companies in other industries such as Apollo group of hospitals, AIIMS and other private nursing homes that hire nutritionists. Some top sports clubs and fitness centres also employ these professionals.

Pay Scale/Salary of Nutritionist

The salary of a Nutritionist may differ according to their knowledge, skills and experience. It usually increases or decreases with knowledge growth and time. Most companies/ organisations pay more for highly skilled and experienced nutritionists and researchers. Nutritionists in diverse sectors earn a satisfactory salary. Here are some relative salary figures for different types of nutritionists:

Note: The above figures are an estimate and may vary from individual to individual and company to company.

Advantages of Becoming a Nutritionist

Below is a list of some of the main advantages of becoming a nutritionist for your information.

• Salary: A nutritionist typically earns between INR 25,000 and INR 30,000 at the beginning of their career
• Job Security: A career in nutrition is a promising one because demand for its services will always exist. A nutritionist will always be required to care for sick patients
• Positive Career Impact: This is a rewarding career because candidates frequently receive compensation related to the well-being of other people
• Higher Studies: Candidates who have earned a BSc in nutrition may choose to pursue further education. Candidates have the option of pursuing an MSc in Food and Nutrition or a Post-Graduate Diploma in Nutrition
• Unique Experience: Candidates can feel the fulfilment of helping someone get fit and healthy

Career Path for a Nutritionist

After gaining expertise, a nutritionist can always advance. He or she may also choose to further his or her education.

Higher Education: A candidate can pursue higher education after gaining knowledge in the field of nutrition. Post-Graduation is an option for candidates. They can pursue a Master of Science in Food and Nutrition or a Postgraduate Diploma in Nutrition.

Start a Career: A nutrition graduate can open his own clinic or work for government or private institutions/missions.

Books & Study Material to Become Nutritionist

To learn about the latest research in nutrition for popular diet plans, these books are ideal for any person who is or wants to become a nutritionist:

• Whole: Rethinking the Science of Nutrition by T. Colin Campbell and Howard Jacobson
• Gourmet Nutrition by Precision Nutrition
• Cooked by Michael Pollan
• Nutrition and Physical Degeneration by Weston A. Price
• Sugar Nation by Jeff O’Connell

Pros of becoming a Nutritionist

• The working hours are good, even though private practitioners may have to work in the evenings and weekends so that they can fulfill the requirement of their working customers.
• The profession is highly honored and job satisfaction is high.
• The work environment is good especially for women, as the healthcare industry employs a lot of women.

Cons of becoming a Nutritionist

• A nutritionist is not a legally protected title.
• You may need a particular license and need to continuously self-educate.
• Stressful job as responsibilities are enormous.
• A regular update of knowledge is necessary without which careers can be stable.