Nutritionist
Nutritionists teach patients and clients about the effects of food on their health, motivating them to make positive changes to their diet.
Day-to-day tasks
Your exact day to day tasks will vary depending on where you work.
Generally, as a nutritionist you might:
- complete research to learn more about a certain area of nutrition
- recruit volunteers to take part in your research
- process and analyse biological samples
- provide scientific advice on healthy eating
- work with hospital patients, supported by doctors, dieticians and nurses
Skills and knowledge
You'll need:
- sensitivity and understanding
- knowledge of biology
- knowledge of training and educating
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- the ability to work well with others
- the ability to work on your own
- thinking and reasoning skills
- patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
Industry Qualifications
In order to become a nutritionist you’ll usually need a degree or qualification in one of the following; food and nutrition, biochemistry, physiology, public health, health promotion.