Career in Nutrition and Dietetics:

One of the functions and responsibilities of a Dietitian or Nutritionist that immediately comes to our mind is meal planning or patient counseling, but is this still true in today's technologically advanced generation?

We're glad to say that the answer is NO, since many different career possibilities are available that go well beyond the usual clinical, patient-centered profession nowadays.

There are a lot more options than you can count if you love this food, are enthusiastic about health and well-being, are creative enough, and appreciate this sector as a whole.

Gunjan Sooden, a Dt. and Nutritionist, shares her perspective on some of the current job paths you might pursue:

Dietitians can serve as food and nutrition experts for restaurants, caterers, and wellness facilities. To give their opinion on nutritional standards and laws, they offer advice on menu planning, recipe formulation, product development, and food labeling.

Dietitians can serve as educators, providing nutrition education programs in academic institutions, community centers, and workplaces. To enhance public health, they create curricula, provide seminars, and encourage healthy eating practices.

Dietitians might serve as researchers in university institutions, governmental agencies, or commercial research centers. They carry out research, compile and examine data, and develop the science of dietetics and nutrition.

Dietitians that specialize in enhancing community health may work for government organizations, non-profit organizations, or public health departments. They create and carry out public health initiatives, policies, and programs pertaining to food security, nutrition, and illness prevention.

Development of food items: Dietitians can engage in the food business, working with food producers to create wholesome and enticing food items. They conduct sensory analyses, ensure goods adhere to nutritional standards, and offer advice on health claims and labeling.

Media & Communications: Dietitians can write about nutrition or serve as media spokespersons, disseminating accurate, scientifically supported nutrition information. To spread information about nutrition, they could provide teaching materials, publish articles, or make appearances on radio and television shows.

Dt. Gunjan Sooden gathered perspectives from multiple dietitians in India regarding careers in the field of nutrition.

How can one become a dietician in India?

According to Dietitian Ketki Mungi, the advice is to clearly follow your path while you are in your school life:

1. Complete your 11th and 12th in home Science.

2. Complete bsc in Nutrition and Dietetics or related field.

3. Complete Msc. In Nutrition and Dietetics or similar post graduate degree

But if you want to take up this degree directly in your bachelor's, can you still do that?

Well, yes, according to Dt. Aishwarya, you can:

1. Complete a Bachelor's degree in Nutrition and Dietetics or a related field from a recognized university.

2. Consider pursuing a Master's degree in Nutrition and Dietetics to enhance your knowledge and skills.

3. After completing your education, you need to undergo a compulsory internship or practical training in a recognized hospital or institution.

4. Register with the Indian Dietetic Association (IDA) or State Dietetic Association to obtain professional recognition.

5. Obtain a license from the State Dietetic Registration Board to practice as a registered dietitian in India.

To explore some more options that you can pursue after this degree:

If you are a fresher, you can go ahead with some top companies in nutrition:

List of major hiring companies to which you can apply as a fresher:

HealthifyMe, Freelancer, Abbott, Paras Hospital, Fortis Healthcare, Hindustan Wellness, Karma Ayurveda, Apollo Health and Lifestyle, and Healthians