How Does a Dietitian Spend a Workday?
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Introduction
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A dietitian is a person who helps individuals attain good health by encouraging individuals to improve their diets through tailored nutritional eating plans. Although there is much information regarding nutrition available on the Internet, many organizations such as schools, hospitals, nursing homes and gyms employ the services of registered dietitians. Although dietitians may have different types of clients, most dietitian's workdays have several tasks in common.
Meet With Clients
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Whether the dietitian works in a nursing home, a public school or on a one-on-one basis, a portion of her day is spent meeting with clients. After the initial meeting, there may be further meetings that aren't face to face, such as phone calls or emails. But most of her time is spent interacting with clients and gathering the necessary information to begin nutritional solutions for existing problems.
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Analyze Nutritional Needs
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After meeting with a client, a large portion of the dietitian's workday is spent analyzing the information. Part of the analytical process includes reviewing the client's current eating habits, nutritional deficiencies, food allergies, culinary preferences and health-related problems as a result of existing dietary habits. A dietitian cannot go forward without properly reviewing and analyzing the client's current situation.
Create and Present Nutritional Plan
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Once the dietitian thoroughly reviews the client information, she can come up with a workable nutritional plan to help resolve the dietary problems. The plan takes into consideration all of the information gathered in the first meeting and any subsequent data. Being mindful of her client's preferences, such as vegetarianism or wheat allergies, the dietitian spends part of her workday putting together a client-specific eating plan. Upon completing the eating plan, the dietitian must present the plan to her client and make necessary modifications.
Solicit New Business
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A dietitian, especially self-employed or independent consultants, must spend a portion of their workday finding new clients. As their existing clients' dietary habits improve and the clients become more self-sufficient, their need for a dietitian decreases. Therefore, it is important for a dietitian to continually seek new clients in order to maintain a successful business and ensure adequate income.
Keep Abreast of New Trends and Developments
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In addition to visiting clients and reviewing and preparing meal plans, dietitians are required to take continuing education credits in order to maintain their licenses.
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Resources
- Photo Credit Steve Woods
