Main Duties

Nutritionists plan and prepare meals based on the patients' needs and give dietary recommendations for patients to use at home. For example, the nutritionist would suggest ways that a person could reduce the amount of junk food he eats and how he can replace it with fruits and nuts.

Benefits

The benefits of having a nutritionist is that you'll have someone whose goal is to ensure that your eating habits keep you healthy. In addition, the nutritionist has access to the latest information on nutrition and he can explain health problems that call for a change in your diet.

Training

Nutritionists usually hold a bachelor's degree in dietetics, nutrition or a related subject. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, not all states require you to have a license before you become a nutritionist. In college, nutritionists take courses in nutrition, chemistry, biology and physiology.

Salary

A nutritionist's salary depends on the the type of institution he works for, and the American Dietetics Association says consultation nutritionists earn $53,000 while clinical nutritionists earn about $50,000.

Outlook

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the future for nutritionists looks bright. They say that as more patients will be interested in preventive care for diseases such as heart failure and diabetes, there will be an increasing need for nutritionists.

Source:

Bureau of Labor Statistics: Nutritionists

University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics

Resource:

American Dietetic Association

American Heart Association

American Diabetes Association