The significant role of nutrition in disease prevention and overall wellness has been recognized by more and more healthcare professionals and individuals. This reason has created a tremendous demand for the professionals who can assess the nutritional requirements and eating habits for a healthy life. Dietitians are the healthcare professionals who evaluate and prescribe the nutritional facts for different types of patients. They play a vital role in helping persons or groups in developing their nutrition and health.

Dietitians may work in many different settings like hospitals, nursing care, public health practice, etc. Many of these professionals carry out their jobs by planning and managing the food programmes in the institutional settings. Some others may specialize in specific areas of dietetics like diabetic nutrition, weight management, etc. These specialists design dietary programmes to treat and diagnose peculiar illness and give instructions to patients about proper eating habits. In short they are experts in food and nutrition.

Qualifying Exam

Students should at least have a qualification in bachelor’s degree to become a dietician. They can specialize in dietetics, nutrition or concerned field at this undergraduate level. To practice as a dietician or nutritionist in hospital or other related settings, the requirements may vary depending on the country or state where the candidates wish to practice. In some countries, the registered dietitians need to complete 75 continuing education credits to maintain their registration. They can also enter into a bright career in this field by pursuing master’s degree or higher graduation in specialized areas of dietetics.

Who is eligible to apply?

Those students who have successfully finished the senior secondary education or equivalent with PCB from a recognized university can apply for the bachelor’s degree in dietetics or nutrition. On completing this degree they can either apply for the dietitian practice or for the higher graduation programmes. For practicing as a registered dietitian, one must qualify the concerned examinations as prescribed by the state where they wish to work.

Key points in the process

• Study 12th or equivalent from a reputed institution with biology and pass the related examinations.
• Pursue the bachelor’s degree in nutrition or dietetics from a recognized university that offers it.
• Gain experience by working in any hospitals or related settings.
• Obtain the license for practicing as dietician and apply for the relevant job.

Skills required for a Dietitian

The dietitians must possess certain outstanding skills and qualities to perform in this field. They should have strong knowledge about all the nutritional facts. They must have good time management quality and should have the ability to take their own initiatives. Besides these they must also possess good communication skills.