The present time we live in, is challenging and quite fast paced. Despite being surrounded by a lot of information and access to it, we are mostly unaware about health and implications. With regards to eating habits, most of us are not informed about the food that we consume. All that being said, to help us out and to guide us through healthy eating habits, we now have access to reach out to professionals who advise us about the impacts of food and the significance of nutrition in our life; Nutritionists. In this article we provide you with an overview of how you can become a certified nutritionist in India
The Role of a Certified Nutritionist
The responsibilities of a nutritionist is primarily to guide people to follow a regime and achieve their health goals. This includes the following:
- Advising clients about health requirements based on health checks and tests
- Preparing a plan that suits the client the best
- Reading and analyzing patient health history and summarize them
- Creating custom health plans and monitoring their progress
- Making adjustments to dietary plans and schedules as required
- Developing and maintaining reports
- Discussing important health goals and requirements with patients and their caregivers
The access for most marginalized communities to good nutrition, healthy options/alternatives and basic nutrition is quite limited. The system and status-quo can be revoked with more professional nutritionists opting for helping the community, volunteering at non-profit organizations and being part of public health programs. The responsibilities a nutritionist holds is immense, it can create change and these responsibilities can be utilized to cater to social justice when channeled correctly.
How to Become a Certified Nutritionist
1) Educational Requirements and Eligibility
If you are someone looking forward to becoming a professional nutritionist, the initial criteria would be to have completed 12th grade preferably with a background in biology or science in general. The next step is to get a degree/a bachelors; it can be a B.Sc. in Nutrition in Dietetics, B.Sc. in Food Science and Nutrition, B.Sc. in Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, B.Sc. in Home Science (with a specialization in nutrition) a Diploma in Nutrition and other certifications. Once you are done with your bachelors course, you can choose a masters degree to specialize in any related field. This can be:
- Psychology
- Clinical nutrition
- Microbiology
- Food Nutrition
- Chemistry
- Anatomy
- Biochemistry
- Community Nutrition
- Public Health Nutrition
2) Gaining Experience Through Internships and Volunteering
Beyond learning theories and best practices at your educational institutes, to become the best at what you do, it is also important to gain practical knowledge and experience through internships and volunteering. Most courses offered by leading institutes, do put forward the scope for internship with leading firms, hospitals, clinics and other private or public practices.
You can either complete your internship during the course of your degree or even after graduation. This helps you with getting hands-on experience and learning how to deal with real-life circumstances in a work environment. Volunteering involves offering your services at a nonprofit organization, fitness centres, community health initiatives, public health programs etc. Internships and volunteering helps you build your portfolio and can be an added advantage while working on your resume.
3) Getting a License to Practice as a Professional Nutritionist
To begin practicing as a professional nutritionist, you are required to complete a 6 month internship and pass a test conducted by the IDA – Indian Dietetic Association. You are required to have completed your Master degree to be able to appear for the test offered by the IDA. Upon receiving your professional license, you are to make sure to renew it every two years.
The test includes 2 papers transcending across the topics of:
- Human Physiology
- Biochemistry
- Physiologic and Metabolic Changes in Disease
- Sanitation
- Hygiene
- Nutrition Education etc.
It is also important to know the difference between a dietitian and a nutritionist.
To be better aware and equipped, here’s everything you need to know about how nutrition and dietetics programs can change your career.
4) Taking Up Additional Certifications, if required
Practicing the profession of a nutritionist may sometimes require you to take additional courses or certifications. These are based on the specific career goals that you may have and where you see yourself. Irrespective of the profession you pursue, it can help you if you are open to learning new things and upskilling. It equips you to become better at your job and also adds to your portfolio. Certifications such as credentials in nutritional consulting or clinical nutrition can be effective for aspiring nutritionists.
Choosing The Right Path
As you practice being a nutritionist, it can also help to know that there are multiple branches within the profession that you can choose from. Pursuing another spectrum can open up newer and broader job opportunities for you. Some of the specializations and options you can look out for are:
- Certified Sports Nutritionist
- Academics and Research; You get to conduct research and learn new findings in the field of nutrition. You also get to work as a nutritionist in schools to help children be more aware of healthy food choices and knowing better.
- Public Health Nutrition
- Corporate Nutrition
- Clinical Nutrition
The prospects of becoming a nutritionist is multifold, with a lot of leading institutes offering courses and certifications, becoming a professional nutritionist is now easier. Learning new concepts, upskilling, networking and communicating can take you a long way in your career.
Conclusion
A professional nutritionist can help a lot of people and communities to become their better selves. It is imperative for people to have access to systems and services that help them become more aware of eating habits and holistic health approaches. In this ever-evolving world, with lifestyles becoming more sedentary and device-bound, more people get affected by poorer choices leading to falling ill more and never entirely recovering. Leading institutes in Noida, Delhi NCR such as AAFT – School of Health and Wellness offer courses such as Diploma in Nutrition and Dietetics and B.Sc. in Nutrition and Dietetics. You can read more about AAFT’s School of Health and Wellness here.