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How can I combine my interests in psychology and nutrition?

What jobs are available to me?
I am majoring in psychology for my BS and my college does not offer nutrition but they do have biology, biochemistry, exercise science, and health science. What should I do? Do I need grad school?
#psychology #nutrition

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M’s Answer

We need more people like you. It is rare that someone has two such seemingly different interests but which in fact, are so closely related. After years of research and well-documented books and even movies, it is finally becoming more and more accepted that what we put into our guts affects our brains. While there are most definitely environmental, economic, and genetic factors involved in mental health issues, the diet makes a huge difference also. Poverty/malnutrition has always been accepted a factor, but seldom has simply "bad eating habits". An example of bad eating habits would be the mother who lets her children eat all the donuts they want for breakfast washed down with sodas.

Other than biology, I'm not sure exactly what the other subjects typically cover since I have never taken those classes but they all sound as though they would be very beneficial toward knowledge of nutrition. The more you know and understand the anatomy, physiology, and biological make-up of the human body, the more you'll be able to deduce nutrition and its effects on the brain. I always say that any knowledge, no matter what it is, is never wasted. I would also recommend taking nutritional holistic courses on the side or even after you receive your degree if you're interested in the holistic aspect of nutrition which is often different than what you learn in a university.

As far as would you needing grad school, it would depend on exactly what you want to do. If you're wanting to actually counsel people you will most definitely need grad school and most likely licensure in the state you live in. Hope that helps!

Here is one interesting read but there are tons of them out there.
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/the-brain-gut-connection
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Michael’s Answer

Obesity is rampant in America; people's relationship with food is all about psychology. Any practicing nutritionist needs to use every psychological trick in the book to help their clients, and on the other side Health Psychology is a big and burgeoning field.

Example: Before Bariatric Surgery a psychological evaluation eneds to be performed, and unless psychological after care is performed people regain the weight that is lost.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXcHe6Av8aw

This is a very fertile area for psychologiy and nutrition to interact.

Michael recommends the following next steps:

https://psychology.rice.edu/what-health-psychology
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/weight-loss
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Louan’s Answer

Dietitians and nutritionists typically need a bachelor's degree, along with supervised training through an internship. Many states require dietitians and nutritionists to be licensed.

The following is a link that talks about, types of dietitians, education, certification and licenses, jobs, and requirements needed to fulfil your goal of a Dietitian/Nutritionists.

Good luck!🙂

https://collegegrad.com/careers/dietitians-and-nutritionists
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