How to become a Nutritionist?
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Top Answer
In the US, the term "Nutritionist" is not as regulated as "dietician." All dietitians are Nutritionists, but not all Nutritionists are dieticians.
There are many ways to become a Nutritionist, depending on your personal goals. If you want to work in a hospital setting, you will need to go through formal advanced training. But you can also get nutrition training for other reasons. For example, many people who work in nutrition-adjacent fields, such as personal trainers or chefs, may want to gain a more in-depth knowledge of nutrition for their professional development.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, most Nutritionists obtain a bachelor's degree in dietetics, food and nutrition, clinical nutrition, or public health nutrition. To become a dietician, they need to work 1,200 supervised hours in the field and then take the Commission on Dietetic Registration exam. Many dieticians also complete Master's degrees, which are not mandatory in the field but give you a leg up in terms of research and overall specialization.
Suppose you are just looking to call yourself a Nutritionist as opposed to a dietician. In that case, you can complete a bachelor's degree, an associate's degree at community college, or take an online course. This term is less regulated, so there is more flexibility in getting the relevant knowledge. The important thing to consider is your lifestyle and your career goals in nutrition.
Important Things to Know Before Becoming a Nutritionist
There are many ways to become a Nutritionist, depending on your personal goals. If you want to work in a hospital setting, you will need to go through formal advanced training. But you can also get nutrition training for other reasons. For example, many people who work in nutrition-adjacent fields, such as personal trainers or chefs, may want to gain a more in-depth knowledge of nutrition for their professional development.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, most Nutritionists obtain a bachelor's degree in dietetics, food and nutrition, clinical nutrition, or public health nutrition. To become a dietician, they need to work 1,200 supervised hours in the field and then take the Commission on Dietetic Registration exam. Many dieticians also complete Master's degrees, which are not mandatory in the field but give you a leg up in terms of research and overall specialization.
Suppose you are just looking to call yourself a Nutritionist as opposed to a dietician. In that case, you can complete a bachelor's degree, an associate's degree at community college, or take an online course. This term is less regulated, so there is more flexibility in getting the relevant knowledge. The important thing to consider is your lifestyle and your career goals in nutrition.
Important Things to Know Before Becoming a Nutritionist
- There are plenty of places you can work
- Be prepared to work with clients with a wide variety of goals
- You will need to help clients untangle fad diets
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