Owing to hectic work schedules, people nowadays are more prone to obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, stress, anxiety, and other physical and mental disorders. To avoid such health complications, it is imperative for every individual to seek the help of a nutritionist. If you want to become a nutritionist, then you should read further to know all about the profession and its career prospects.
Be it youngsters willing to shed those extra pounds, middle-aged people willing to maintain a balance between their professional and personal lives, or old people willing to simply stay healthy and fit, individuals of all age groups are looking for guidance on their diet and nutrition. This is where a nutritionist plays a vital role. Here’s a complete guide to becoming a nutritionist. You may refer to it if you have a keen interest in food and nutrition.
Role of a nutritionist
The primary role of a nutritionist is to suggest nutritious meal plans to their clients, after assessing the clients’ health conditions. A nutritionist must consider both the physical and mental health of the clients while preparing meal plans for them. Here are the key responsibilities of a nutritionist:
- Assessing the physical and mental health conditions of the clients
- Helping clients adhere to healthy eating habits
- Preparing meal plans, based on the client’s age, gender, and budgetary preferences.
- Keeping track of the progress of the clients
Educational Qualification
- First of all, you must complete your 12th standard from a recognized board, in the science stream. You must have physics, chemistry, and biology as your major subjects. If you want to opt for food technology, then you must also have mathematics included as a major subject.
- After the completion of your 12th standard, you must pursue a bachelor’s degree in nutrition, which is a three-year course. To be eligible for the admission process of reputed institutes, you must have a minimum of 60% marks in the above-mentioned subjects in your 12th standard.
- After the completion of your bachelor’s degree, you can opt for a PG diploma in nutrition and dietetics.
- After completing your graduation, you can register with the Medical Council of India, following which you must join an internship program in a reputed health organization. The duration of your internship must be one year.
- You can further appear for the entrance exam held by the Indian Dietetic Association (IDA), to become a certified member.
Fee structure of nutrition courses in India
The nutrition courses in India are quite affordably priced. You can join a bachelor’s course for approximately Rs.50,000 or less. Whereas, a master’s course can be in the range of Rs.50,000- Rs.1,00,000.
Salary packages:
The salary of a nutritionist can range from Rs.5000 to Rs.40000 a month, depending on their experience. If you work as a nutritionist in a private hospital, then your salary can range from Rs.5000 to Rs.10000 a month. However, if you are a certified member of the IDA, then you can get a considerable raise in your salary.
Conclusion:
The profession of a nutritionist is highly promising and satisfying as it contributes to the well-being of individuals. The above-mentioned guide can help you become a nutritionist if you have a flair for food and nutrition. Also, to become a successful nutritionist, you must have good communication and interpersonal skills, as you will need to interact with your clients and motivate them to follow healthy nutrition plans. You can pursue a post graduate diploma in nutrition and dietetics to reap maximum benefits from this profession.
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