Nazareth
How much education is needed to become an dietitian?
Whenever I have a appointment with my dietitian she informs me nutrition facts about different foods that i find so interesting for example meat,cheese, and egg don't have any carbs. #teaching #education #career
3 answers
Sheila Jordan
Sheila’s Answer
Hello Nazareth:
Thank you for your question. With all the convenient fast foods and large portion sizes it's great that you are taking an interest in diet.
Dietitians and Nutritionists are experts in the use of food and nutrition to promote health and manage disease. They advise people on what to eat in order to lead a healthy lifestyle or achieve a specific health-related goal.
Education
Dietitians and Nutritionists typically need a bachelor’s degree in dietetics, foods and nutrition, clinical nutrition, public health nutrition, or a related area. Dietitians also may study food service systems management. Programs include courses in nutrition, psychology, chemistry, and biology.
Many dietitians and nutritionists have advanced degrees.
Training
Dietitians and Nutritionists typically receive several hundred hours of supervised training, usually in the form of an internship following graduation from college. Some schools offer coordinated programs in dietetics that allow students to complete supervised training as part of their undergraduate or graduate-level coursework.
Licenses, Certifications & Registrations
Many states require dietitians and nutritionists to be licensed in order to practice. Other states require only state registration or certification to use certain titles, and a few states have no regulations for this occupation.
The requirements for state licensure and state certification vary by state, but most include having a bachelor’s degree in food and nutrition or a related area, completing supervised practice, and passing an exam.
I wish you much success on your journey. Good luck to you.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics. - -> https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/dietitians-and-nutritionists.htm#tab-4
~ Sheila
Sheila recommends the following next steps:
Emily Nguyen
Emily’s Answer
Hi Emily! I think the student is curious about degrees or certifications needed to be a dietitian — could you comment on those as well? Thanks so much for your answer!
Alexandra Carpenter, Admin
N Fathima
N’s Answer
In addition to an understanding of nutritional concepts, nutritionists must possess the analytical and problem-solving skills to apply what they learned in school to individual patients and their specific needs.
Nutritionists should also:
1.Actively acquire new skills and keep current ones fresh, such as by researching dietary trends and potential hazards.
2.Have detailed knowledge of food production issues, such as how pesticides can affect physical and mental health, as well as genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and organic foods.
3.Have a deep understanding of nutrient and chemical absorption and how this affects physical and mental health. As with other healthcare practitioners, nutritionists need to have good communication skills—both listening and speaking—in order to understand their patients’ problems and make recommendations.
Nutritionist Credentials
The requirements to become a nutritionist vary from state to state. However, in most locations, nutritionists must complete a bachelor’s degree, perform a certain amount of supervised, hands-on training, and pass a licensing examination.
Although not required, many employers favor job candidates who have earned a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) credential.Some nutritionists also opt to earn a Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS) credential, which allows them to demonstrate advanced knowledge of the field.
In addition, there are a number of voluntary certifications that nutritionists can earn, which are awarded by organizations like The American Council on Exercise, the Holistic Nutrition Credentialing Board, the American Association of Nutrition Consultants, and the American Fitness Professionals & Associates.
Nutritionist Tools and Technology
Academic knowledge and hands-on training provide the foundation for a successful nutritionist career, while various tools and technologies allow these professionals to perform their job duties in the most effective ways.
Some of the tools that nutritionists use in their practice include:
hydrostatic weighing machines
glucometers
bioelectric impedance machines and calorimeters
Such machines provide detailed and precise information about the body’s condition and responses. In addition, nutritionists also use scientific and medical software, such as:
Axxya Systems Nutritionist Pro
BioEx Systems Nutrition Maker Plus
Compu-Cal Nutrition Assistant
Lifestyles Technologies DietMaster Pro.
These programs are designed to help nutritionists process client data to come up with a comprehensive and appropriate nutritional plan.