Nutritionists provide guidance and education about healthy diets.
Jobs in the field of nutrition traditionally involve assisting people and organizations with their efforts to learn about and implement healthy food and nutrition plans. Nutritionists offer guidance and education about how diet and nutrition choices affect health, disease prevention, and treatment of many illnesses. Jobs in the field of nutrition include opportunities in the public and private sectors, as well as self-employment and consulting options.
Clinical and Community Dietitians
Clinical dietitians consult with doctors and nurses about patient medical conditions in order to develop an appropriate and effective nutrition plan for each patient. Some hospitals and medical centers offer community dietitian services to educate families about proper nutrition in order to promote healthier lifestyles within the local community. Clinical and community dietitians counsel patients and clients, develop long term nutrition plans and evaluate the effectiveness of nutrition plans at scheduled intervals.
Food Service Managers
Corporations, public agencies, and school cafeteria programs hire food service managers to oversee the content, quality, and nutritional value. The Society for Nutrition Education lists coordination of food selection, ordering, preparation, and service among the duties of an effective food services manager. Knowledge of local and state dietary guidelines and requirements helps food service managers to offer nutritional meals and snacks to employees, patients, or students. Other valuable attributes of food service managers include organization, communication, and accounting skills.
Self Employment and Consulting
Private nutritionists may work with clients to help improve health conditions such as high blood pressure, obesity, or diabetes through changes in diet. In some cases consultants work in partnership with doctors and fitness trainers to exchange client referrals. Successful nutrition consultants may find work with television and movie production studios, professional sports teams, and athletes to provide guidance and feedback about effective diet and nutrition practices.
Tags: food service, food service managers, nutrition plans, diet nutrition, education about, field nutrition, guidance education