So what are you having for dinner tonight? A bowl of Monosodium Glutamate paired with a side of xanthan gum drizzled in delicious high fructose corn syrup? Believe it or not, if you plan on picking up Burger King or McDonald’s on your way home from work, that’s probably what you’ll be putting in your stomach.1
With books like Fast Food Nation and films like Supersize Me making us more aware of what we eat and how it affects our bodies, diet and nutrition are becoming important tools in the fight against malnutrition, obesity, and disease. And the cavalry that’s leading the charge are registered dietitians and nutritionists.
March 1 kicked off National Nutrition Month, a nutrition education campaign that’s been sponsored by the American Dietetic Association since 1973. If you’ve ever thought about pursuing a dietitian career, there’s no time like the present.
Part of the ever-growing health care industry, these professionals do everything from creating special meal plans for patients suffering from diabetes to educating elementary students on the importance of a balanced diet. They combine their unique knowledge of food makeup and chemistry with their understanding of the human body and different diseases to not only treat illness, but to prevent it.
While dietitians have traditionally worked in venues like hospitals, schools, or nursing homes, with today’s emphasis on preventative medicine they’re also finding employment in food manufacturing, advertising, and marketing. Here are a few dietitian career paths to consider.
Dietitian Careers to Explore
- Clinical dietitians help create menus for ailing or recovering patients in hospitals or nursing homes.
- Community dietitians work to promote the health of a community though nutrition education.
- Management dietitians are in charge of menu planning and preparation for large-scale organizations such as schools, prisons, and company cafeterias.
- Consultant dietitians work one-on-one with clients to help them meet their nutritional goals, such as reducing salt intake or increasing calcium intake.
For more information on becoming a registered dietitian or nutritionist, visit our full dietitian career profile.
1. http://recipes.howstuffworks.com/10-ingredients-fast-food.htm
