The Purpose of Nutritionists

Good eating habits can improve health.

You are what you eat, as the common phrase reminds us. Eating habits have an impact on one's health and well-being. Nutritionists serve the purpose of educating the public on healthy diet decisions that can affect whole-body health. Although generally thought of as a one-on-one diet coach, nutritionists' work with institutions and manufacturers can affect the masses.

Function

Nutritionists work with people to help them lead healthy lives through diet. Their work is often focused on establishing diet habits to combat specific ailments in individual patients, so nutritionists may work closely with family physicians to design specific diet routines to combat hypertension, diabetes and obesity. They can also work closely with institutional chefs to prepare nutritionally sound meals for the institutional population.

Types

Nutritionists often specialize to work in certain fields. Clinical nutritionists design and implement nutritional plans for institutionalized or private patients. They work in hospitals, nursing homes, retirement communities, assisted living communities, schools, military bases and correctional facilities. Private practice nutritionists maintain their own offices and treat individual patients.

Significance

Because of their expertise in nutrition and health, nutritionist roles are not limited to the medical field, and nutritionists can have an impact on people who may never set foot in a nutritionist's office. Nutritionists often educate the public as teachers and journalists. Nutritionists are sometimes employed by food manufacturers, advertisers or restaurant owners to analyze and recommend nutritional balance in their food products.

Misconceptions

Nutritionists and dietitians are not the same. Nutritionists usually hold a degree in nutrition, but states do not require licensing. Virtually anyone who works in the field of nutrition can refer to himself as a nutritionist; however, dietitians must complete extensive training and educational requirements. The term "registered dietitian" is protected by legislation in the United States and other countries. The work of a nutritionist focuses more on healthy eating advisement while dietitians work mainly with controlling and reversing obesity.

History

The study of the link between good nutrition and health dates to ancient times. The first nutritionists worked thousands of years ago. Around 4000 B.C., the Egyptian Pharoah Imhotep spoke about using food as medicine. Ancient Chinese teachings also refer to the importance of balanced diet to prevent and treat disease.

References

• The Princeton Review: Nutrition Careers

Resources

• Harvard School of Public Health: The Nutrition Source