Why To Be A Nutritionist

Do you know the difference between a nutritionist and a dietician? Find out here nutritionist is a healthcare professional who helps in preventing diseases that could be caused due to nutritional deficiencies. A nutritionist may also provide advice on a diet to help recover from a disease. A dietician is also a healthcare professional who promotes health in individuals by suggesting the right foods. A dietician will participate in developing diets, oversee the preparation of food, and may conduct nutritional research. The roles and responsibilities of dieticians and nutritionists often overlap, so one person could perform the duties of both professions.

Are you wondering how long does it take to become a nutritionist ? If you want to become a nutritionist or a dietician, you will require a bachelor's degree in dietetics. The bachelor's degree in dietetics usually takes four years to complete as a full time student. You may also choose to enroll in an accredited online program to earn a nutrition degree. Online education has certain advantages over the traditional on-campus schools that most students choose. It enables you to have a flexible schedule to schedule classes and complete coursework. You don't have to commute, you may learn at your own pace, and you could keep your current full-time job. In an online degree program, you don't have to make many changes to your lifestyle to earn the degree.

Students interested in the field of research, advanced clinical positions, or public health may choose to earn advanced degrees. After completing your education, supervised practice experience will be gained through internships. These internships may be full time programs that last for six months or a year, or they could be part time programs lasting up to two years.

Duties
Nutritionists or dieticians usually perform the following duties:

• They plan food and nutrition programs
• Oversee meal preparation in hospitals and schools
• They suggest foods for the prevention and treatment of illnesses
• They prepare low salt and low sugar foods for obese patients
• They work with other healthcare professionals on several healthcare issues

Essential Skills and Personality Traits
There are certain skills and personality traits that could help you succeed as a nutritionist or a dietician. You will require the following skills and traits to be a thriving professional:

• Analytical skills for research
• Empathy and concern for patients
• Exceptional communication skills
• Organization skills to keep patient records

Nutritionist Salary
The salaries of nutritionists and dieticians vary according to their education, skills, and experience. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) states that the median annual wage of dietitians and nutritionists was $53,250 in May 2010.

Job Prospects
There are positive job prospects for nutritionists and dieticians. Nutritionists and dieticians have the opportunity to work in a variety of settings, so finding a job is not as difficult. According to the BLS, the jobs for nutritionists are likely to grow at 20 percent, which is faster than average. Around 12,700 new jobs will be created for nutritionists during the years 2010 and 2020.