Is health a source of joy for you? Are you someone who wants to help others get in shape? Nutritionists and dieticians are in high demand today due to the rise in diabetes, PCOD, obesity, and hypertension caused by our unhealthy lifestyles.
As a result, everyone has become health conscious and needs the help of a professional to make healthy lifestyle choices. They guide people to comprehend the relationship between food and the body. This blog will walk you through 4 simple steps on how to become a Nutritionist, the best colleges and courses to become a Nutritionist, and the average salary of a Nutritionist worldwide.
Who is a Nutritionist?
A Nutritionist is a food and nutrition expert. They contribute to the maintenance of a healthy lifestyle, which helps people recover from health problems by providing proper nutrition.
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How to Become a Nutritionist (4 Step guide)
Step 1: Stream to select
A Nutritionist and dietician course requires a 10+2 from a science stream with biology as the main subject. Some institutions grant admission based on the results of their entrance exams.
Although few universities will admit you if you have a related background other than biology.
Step 2: Educational Requirements to become a nutritionist
- Become a nutritionist After 10th
You can become a Nutritionist if you have passed the 10th standard and meet the admission requirements by pursuing diploma courses.
- Diploma in Food Science and Nutrition
- Diploma in Nutrition and Health Education
- Certificate in Dietetics
- Diploma in Dietetics
- Diploma in Nutrition and Dietetics
- Diploma in Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition
- Diploma in Nutrition and Food Technology
- Diploma in Diet Assistant
- P.G Diploma in Dietetics
- P.G Diploma in Dietetics and Public health
- PGDM in Dietetics and Applied Nutrition
- Become a nutritionist After 12th
A Nutritionist can work without a degree. This is accomplished by taking some online certification courses that will qualify you as a Nutritionist and provide you with food and nutrition knowledge, but you will lack physiology expertise.
However, the ideal way to become a Nutritionist after completing 12th would be by pursuing an Undergraduate program related to Nutrition, Food Science, Food Technology, Dietetics, or Physiology.
Undergraduate Courses to become Nutritionist In India
Courses | Duration | Colleges | Fees |
B.Sc in Nutrition and Dietetics | 3 years | Mount Carmel College, Bangalore. SSPU (Symbiosis Skills Professional University), Pune Lovely Professional University | ₹4.45 L ₹5.43 L ₹4.8 L |
B.Sc in Food Science | 3 years | J.D Birla Institute Mount Carmel College, Bangalore Manipal School of Life Science | ₹1.51 L ₹5.64 L ₹3L |
B.Sc in Physiology | 3 years | Adesh University Baba Farid University of Health Science Ananda Mohan College | ₹2.11L ₹1L ₹70K |
B.Tech in Food Technology | 4 years | Chandigarh University MIT School of Food Technology Lovely Professional University Lady Irwin College, New Delhi | ₹7.08 L ₹5.75 L ₹9.6 L ₹ 29.64 K |
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If you want to become a dietician after completing your master’s degree, you must intern for six months and pass the Registered Dietician Entrance Exam. You can take the Certified Clinical Nutritionist Exam (CCN) to gain credibility. However, none of this is required to become a Nutritionist.
Undergraduate courses to become Nutritionist Abroad
Courses | Duration | Colleges | Fees |
Bachelor of Nutrition & Dietetics | 4 years | Murray State University | $13,920 |
Public Health Nutrition | 4 years | Southeast Missouri State University | $13,155 |
BS- Food Technology | 4 years | McNeese State University | $12,499 |
Nutrition and Dietetics- BS | 4 years | McNeese State University | $12,499 |
BA/BSc Dietetics | 4 years | Central Michigan University | $18,935 |
Step 3: Certification Courses and Projects Courses
If you want to be a Nutritionist, you can enroll in certification courses to become a licensed health professional. Some certifications to consider include:
- ISSA nutrition certification
- ACE
- Precision Nutrition
- NASM-CNC
- IFSA
- GFFI
- IGNOU Certification Courses
- CFN (Certificate in Food and Nutrition)
- CNCC (Certificate in Nutrition and Child Care)
Step 4: Job Preparation
- Internships
It is critical to put yourself out there in order to position yourself in the industry. You can network by participating in events held by health organizations, nutrition workshops, and health camps. You can also intern with a reputable Nutritionist in the industry to learn the most from them.
It is also important to keep researching and keeping yourself updated with new trends, fads, and diseases. Reading research papers, health magazines, and health surveys and following well-known nutritionists on social media will help you gain more expertise in the field.
- Freelance
As a Nutritionist, you can work in settings such as health organizations, corporations, and schools, or you can consider becoming a clinical nutritionist.
If you intend to open a private clinic, it would be ideal if you became registered or licensed as a nutritionist, which requires you to take an examination and complete a 6-month internship.
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- Portfolio Creation
Take on internships and freelance work to build a strong portfolio. Make a record of your client journey and gather feedback from your clients; include all of this in your portfolio.
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6 Skills Needed to become Nutritionist
- Problem-Solving Skills
- Planning Skills
- Instructional Skills
- Persuasion Skills
- Interpersonal Skills
- Decision Making Skills
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Salary of a Nutritionist Across Countries
Country | Average Salary |
India | ₹3.5 L |
Canada | ₹52.08 L |
US | ₹42.51 L |
Australia | ₹72.97 L |
Germany | ₹30.87 L |
Top recruiters for nutritionists in India
- FSSAI
- IIFPT
- CSIR
- Apollo Groups
- VLCC Healthcare
- Fortis Healthcare
- DR. Batra’s
- Gold Gym
- Cure.fit
- Taj Groups
- Cultfit
- Fitness First
- Kokilaben Dirubhai Ambani Hospital
- Talwalkars Better Value Fitness Limited
- AIIMS
- HCL Healthcare
- Oliva Skin
Top recruiters Abroad
- Accenture
- Nestle
- Kellogg’s
- Le Meridian
- Hyatt
- Unilever
- Amway
“It’s never too late to be what you would have been-George Eliot. Nutritionist is a diverse profession, keep yourself open to all the diverse opportunities available to you and you will find the area that you absolutely love and passionate about. All the best on your journey to becoming a Nutritionist.
FAQs related to become a Nutritionist after 12th in India
What qualifications do you need to be a nutritionist?
A certificate course in Nutrition is sufficient although having a bachelor’s or master’s degree in nutrition and dietetics adds more credibility to you as a professional.
Is a nutritionist a good career in India?
Nutritionists are in high demand in India due to the increasing health consciousness and fitness trend in society; it is a rewarding career.
How much does it cost to become a nutritionist in India?
The courses to become a nutritionist are not too expensive, though the fees vary depending on the college, you can expect to pay between ₹50,000-₹9 lakhs.
Is a nutritionist a doctor in India?
No, nutritionists are not doctors but they are considered to be health care professionals.
Is MBBS necessary for nutritionists?
No, an MBBS is not required to become a nutritionist; however, you can become a nutritionist after completing any course by enrolling in certification courses.
Do nutritionists need maths?
Not necessarily, but it would be added advantage to be good with numbers.
How many years is a nutrition course?
Nutrition courses in India last three years, but they may last three to four years abroad.
Which degree is best for nutrition?
To become a nutritionist degree is not a necessitate. However, a degree related to Nutrition, Food Science, Food Technology, Human Science, or Dietetics is ideal.
Which subject is best for nutritionists?
Biology is the most important subject to study if you want to be a nutritionist because it is required for admission to a Nutrition degree.
Which college is best for nutrition?
G.B Pant University of Agriculture and Technology
Lovely Professional University
University of Madras
Chandigarh University
MIT School of Food Technology
Lady Irwin College, New Delhi
Is a test required for nutritionists?
You can take the Certified Clinical Nutritionist Exam (CCN) to gain credibility.
How can I gain experience as a Nutritionist?
As a nutritionist, you are required to have some prior experience. Internships, volunteering with health organizations and attending camps and events to find opportunities with established health professionals to gain experience and exposure.