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Nutrition and Dietitian Education and Jobs
Get Information on Nutrition Jobs, Dietitian Jobs and Nutrition Degrees
Find Nutrition Schools | Nutrition Degree Training and Career Guide
"The doctor of the future will give no medicine, but will interest his patients in the care of human frame, and in the cause and prevention of disease." ~T. A. Edison| | In natural medicine, the study of nutrition focuses on the effect of diet upon the patient's health. Students learn how bad diet can increase the risk of serious health problems while modifications in diet can ease the symptoms or even cure a serious disease. Almost all natural medicine schools offer some courses in nutrition as part of a healer's training. |
Certain schools make nutrition their main focus and often teach a particular theory of diet such as macrobiotics. Still others offer specialized training as a Registered Dietitian (RD).
But before you choose a nutrition degree school, you need to decide whether a dietitian or nutrition job is right for you and your career endeavors. Learn more about dietitian education and nutrition jobs and degrees below to help you make your decision.
Distinguishing Nutrition Jobs from Dietitian Jobs
It can be difficult to decipher the difference between a nutrition job and a dietitian job. Basically, dieticians are licensed by most states as Registered Dieticians (RD), meaning they require a bachelor's degree as well as post-graduate training in an accredited program. They must also pass a licensing exam and keep their license current by completing continuing education classes (CEs) for the entire time they are licensed professionals. Dietitians often work in clinical or hospital settings.
Nutritionists do not go through the RD training and licensure, and typically work in more holistic types of nutrition settings. There are now many nutritionist bachelor's degree programs and training schools that offer formal and reputable degrees in nutrition.
Nutrition Jobs & Career Practices
Generally nutritionists work as consultants either as part of a integrated clinic or in solo practice. Some use their training to do research for whole foods companies and supplements manufacturers. Others teach or even write books about nutrition. Those who graduate from schools that concentrate on food preparation often become chefs for private spas or start their own whole foods restaurant.
There are many specialty opportunities in nutrition jobs and dietitian jobs, including family nutrition therapy, sports nutrition and home nutrition consultation. Some nutritionists work with schools, or even large corporations, like Google. Nutrition is a very versatile career with many opportunities in the thriving wellness industry.
Learn about macrobiotics diet careers.
Nutrition Degrees & Certification Overview
Degrees vary by the nature of the school. Many universities offer master's degrees in nutrition that qualify the student to teach or practice in a hospital setting as a dietitian. If your major interest is natural medicine, courses that emphasize "whole foods" (foods as unaltered as possible from their natural state) or holistic medicine are probably your best bet. Other schools offer certificates and specialized training in specific areas such as the use of food in Oriental medicine or cooking whole foods. Some classes are designed to be taken as continuing education for licensed practitioners to expand the scope of their knowledge.
Get more in-depth nutritionist and dietitian career training, job outlook, licensure and salary information.
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