Nutritionist and Dietitian Profession

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Hospital Nutritionists

Those who choose to work in hospitals are interested in working in a team environment. Hospital nutritionists generally work normal 9 to 5 hours, but can be called upon to work at night, early mornings or odd-hour shifts if necessary. Hospital nutritionists will generally plan, implement and oversee the diet given to patients staying in the hospital in addition to any nutritional supplements. Patients include pre and post-surgery, patients with illnesses and injury, and even outpatients too. If you enjoy working in a team of medical professionals including doctors, nurses and other health care specialists, perhaps a profession as a hospital nutritionist is right for you.

Public Health Nutritionist/Community Clinic Nutritionist

Working in a public health facility or community clinic are among the altruistic nutritionists, who’s goals are to improve the health of the community, especially those with less means than others. Many of our communities’ poorest residents are among the least healthy. Overweight and obesity in North America’s poorest communities is significantly higher than in the most affluent, sometimes by 2 to 3 times as bad. A community or public health nutritionist generally foregoes a percentage of their salary to work with the most at-risk patients, yet can also feel the most rewarding aspects of the job.

Retail & Food-Service Nutritionist

Food service and food processing companies in America have grown into some of the largest corporations in the country. To ensure that the vast quantity of food and goods they provide remains safe and retains the quality that the companies ensure, nutritionists are employed at each organization to provide research and development, oversee the production, service and delivery, and even assist in the marketing and advertising of goods and services. Companies including Kraft, Dole, General Mills, Heinz, Post, Nabisco, Hershey’s and Kellogg are just a few of the large corporations employing large numbers of nutritionists. Those who are most interested in the business aspects of the nutrition industry are encouraged to look further into a profession in food service and food processing nutrition.

Weight Loss Nutritionist & Nutritional Consulting

For those who are looking to lose weight, a nutritionist can complete only part of what is needed for them to succeed. A general health and weight loss nutritionist may also be interested in areas of physical fitness including exercise, physiology and personal training. Many personal trainers will also earn a degree in nutrition to be a more complete physical fitness specialist.

For those who are interested in a profession helping others lose weight and living as healthy as they can be, a degree in nutrition will compliment a personal training or physical therapy degree or certification. This enables these specialists to compete on a higher level when able to provide clients with a more complete list of information and recommendations to improve their health and well-being. This could also include nutritional consultants, who prefer to run a private practice assisting those with specific nutritional ailments. If you prefer working for yourself or within a smaller organization, becoming a personal trainer, weight loss specialist or nutritional consultant may be right for you.

Nutrition Education & Research

Often requiring an advanced degree in nutrition, an education and/or research position allows those who are interested in nutrition to dive into the research of many different aspects of the field. Whether you are interested in the development of new supplements or the benefits of traditional fruits and vegetables, improving weight loss or reducing illnesses such as heart disease or diabetes, a research profession may be right for you.

In many instances, a research and teaching profession will go together. Many professors of nutrition will teach while they are working on their research. Research nutritionists and nutrition professors also work in hospitals, clinics and research institutes, yet most work in universities and other educational institutions. A research or teaching position usually requires an advanced degree in nutrition or a closely related subject, such as a masters or PhD.

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