Definition of a Nutritionist
Nutritionists plan meals, create nutrition programs, and supervise the preparations and serving of meals. Their training allows them to provide professional advice about proper dietary needs and intake and make referrals to other professionals when necessary. A nutritionist, sometimes called a dietitian, understands how food affects the overall health of the body and is an important resource for menu planners and food service businesses.
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Responsibilities
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Nutritionists are involved in menu planning, food purchasing, food analysis and kitchen and preparatory supervision. They provide detailed analysis of patient's or clients nutritional needs and may consult with doctors and health care professionals in order to coordinate medical and dietary needs. In manufacturing positions they may analyze food content, and write dietary literature and reports for the public.
Education
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Most nutritionists hold bachelor degrees in food science, dietetics, food management systems or nutrition. Licenses and registration are handled by the states and requirements will vary. According to the Department of Labor, as of 2008, 35 states require nutritionists to hold a license, 12 require statutory certification and 1 requires registration.
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Certification
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Although certification is not always necessary for a nutritionist, The American Dietetic Association does award a Registered Dietitian certification to those passing their testing and internship requirements. Requirements include the minimum of a bachelors degree, passing a national examination and maintaining continuing education. This certification may be unrelated to state license or other registration requirements.
Advancement
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Nutritionists can move into positions of management such as associate or assistant directors or directors of nutrition programs or systems. This includes hospital food systems, community programs and manufacturing and food production. Some nutritionist's choose to specialize in areas pertaining to certain populations---diabetics, renal patients, pediatrics, pregnancy. Others may obtain a masters degree and move into public health positions or clinical research.
Daily Work
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A nutritionist working in a public community setting will spend their day providing nutritional assessments to clients and providing nutritional education to the public. They may be involved in the designing of nutritional programs offered by community services. Often they are required to take the following into consideration when creating assessments and guidance on a one-to-one basis---personal and cultural preferences, the client's finances, laboratory results, medical needs and the client's personal goals.
Career Choices
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Nutritionists have some interesting alternatives to traditional community and hospital positions. A career choice in sports nutrition, as a weight-loss coach or work in a private practice providing nutritional support to doctors and individuals are all possibilities. The Department of Labor predicts a 9 % increase through 2016 for job opportunities for nutritionists and dietitians.
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