Nutritionists are healthcare professionals who are expert in food and nutrition. The primary role of a nutritionist is to spread awareness about the importance of eating nutritious food and healthy eating habits. Nutritionists make diet plans, select the right things to eat, emphasize exercises and advise on the health effects of unhealthy foods.
Nowadays, due to changing lifestyle and outlook of people have them too busy to focus on what to eat and has lead to adverse effects on health. Nutrition plays a crucial role in maintaining a healthy lifestyle of an individual. Nutrients are a substance that provides nourishment essential for growth and development in every stage of life. Eating nutritious food improves health and wellness and promotes healthy eating habits.
Why Study Nutrition And Dietetics?
The study of Nutrition and Dietetics is indeed a good career choice after Class 12. Pursuing a course in Nutrition and Dietetics will let the student acquire scientific knowledge of basic sciences and principles of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Students will get an in-depth knowledge on the core subject areas such as understanding of clinical nutrition, sports nutrition, food science, public health nutrition and its influence on human health and well-being.
The study of Nutrition and Dietetics also gives you practical knowledge in the domain of Nutrition and Dietetics for its applications in industry and research.
Responsibilities Of A Nutritionist
- The primary responsibility of a nutritionist is to evaluate the dietary needs of the patients by assessing their health and exercise levels, sleep and eating habits etc.
- Providing information and explaining the effects of nutrients on overall health condition to the patients.
- Take care of patients dietary restrictions and suggest them better alterations in Nutrition.
- Providing counselling session for patients to provide support and help them in their progress.
- Write and publish articles that promote a healthy lifestyle and educate the public about healthy eating habits.
Eligibility To Become A Nutritionist
To become a nutritionist a student has to take a science stream in Class 12th. There are various courses offered by recognized institutions/ universities to become a nutritionist. After 12tha student can pursue B.Sc in Nutrition and Dietetics followed by M.Sc in Nutrition and Dietetics.
Subject combination
To pursue a bachelor’s degree in Nutrition and Dietetics students must select the Science stream in Class 12 with Biology as one of the main subjects of study.
Eligibility criteria
To be eligible for a bachelor’s course in Nutrition and Dietetics students should have passed class 12 examination with science stream from a recognized university/board with at least 50% marks in aggregate in 5 subjects
To be eligible for Master’s course in Nutrition and Dietetics the student must have a bachelor degree in science stream from a recognised university/institution with minimum 50% marks in aggregate.
Career Prospects and Job Opportunities
There
are plenty of Job opportunities available for a Nutritionist in India. Nutritionists
can find lucrative placements in both government and private sectors. There is
a lot of scope for nutritionist and employment opportunities to advance career
in this field. Nowadays a large number of young minds are attracted towards
this career option.
The following are some organization in the government sector where Nutritionist can seek job opportunities:
- Government hospitals
- Community health centres
- Government Schemes and Missions (like ICDS, NHRM etc)
- Government Organizations (like FNB, ICMR, Public Health
Foundation etc) - Government R&D units
- Government Nursing homes
- Government Nutrition Education Institutes
Job opportunities for Nutritionists in the private sector include the following:
- Private clinics and hospitals
- Nursing homes
- NGOs
- Food products manufacturing firms
- Pharmaceutical firms
- Private R&D units
- Private Nutrition Education Institutes
- Health Clubs
- Fitness Centres
- Sports Centres and Franchises
- Hotels
Job
Roles as a Nutritionist
To become successful Nutritionists students must upgrade their skills from time to time. As you move ahead to higher-level positions in this field of Nutritionist, you should constantly hone your skills and expand your knowledge to become successful. The following are the top 5 job profiles available as a nutritionist:
- Clinical Nutritionist –They work in medical organizations such as hospitals, clinics and doctors chambers. The work of a Nutritionist is to provide medical nutrition therapy by providing a healthy diet, exercise levels, food habits for the patients.
- Sports Nutritionist –A Sports Nutritionist usually work with the athletes and coaches to ensure optimal athletic performance by providing them with healthy diets plans according to the requirements of nutrient of each athlete.
- Public Health Nutritionist –A Public Health Nutritionist focus on the nutritional issues of people like Anaemia, vitamin A, Diabetes, Iodine deficiency etc. They directly deal with the public and assess the health and dietary requirements of patients.
- Paediatric Nutritionist –Paediatric Nutritionist is medical professionals that deal with the medical care of infants, children, and adolescents. Their role is to advise children or parents about healthy eating and basic nutrition.
- Food Service Nutritionist –The role of a Food Service Nutritionist is to do routine checks and inspections and ensure that kitchen staff and managers are in following the regulatory standards.
By – Koustav Banik
