Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
LS1 3HE
How to become a nutritionist
Help people to live their best, healthiest lives by becoming a nutritionist. Using your in-depth knowledge of food science, you’ll advise and guide individuals and groups, helping them to make better nutritional and dietary decisions that will have a positive impact on their wellbeing.
What is a nutritionist?
Nutritionists work in a range of settings, primarily supporting communities and public health services to promote healthier food and dietary choices. As a nutritionist, you’ll use scientific evidence to guide people towards a more balanced lifestyle, and you’ll offer expert advice through the generation and assessment of the latest knowledge and research.
How do I become a nutritionist?
While there’s no set requirement to become a nutritionist, most employers will require Association for Nutrition (AfN) registration. This can only be attained with a qualification equivalent to (or above) an honours degree in nutritional science.
There is also a range of AfN accredited programmes available.
- Undergraduate degrees - routes into a career as a nutritionist include degrees in international, human, sports, public and animal health nutrition, plus nutrition and exercise, and nutrition and food science
- Postgraduate degrees - there is also a range of postgraduate programmes you can undertake in order to achieve accreditation with the British Dietetic Association, and to earn your place on the Sport and Exercise Nutrition (SENr) Graduate Voluntary Register
- Accredited masters - if you already hold a degree but in a different field, an accredited master’s course can provide an alternative route to AfN registration
What would I do as a nutritionist?
As a nutritionist you’ll work on the research, development and analysis of scientific, educational and practical resources. Your work will help people to make better food-based choices and improve health and wellbeing outcomes.
You’ll work on a one-to-one or group basis, using your nutritional knowledge to educate and inspire your service users and provide advice and guidance tailored to their needs. You may also assist organisations in improving their internal approaches and policies regarding food and nutritional health. Nutritionists can also host workshops and seminars, and even promote healthier diets through the press or other promotional activities.
Depending on the type of nutritionist you become, your general duties will include some of the following:
- Supporting individuals, groups and workplaces to implement changes in relation to food and related health matters
- Using your knowledge to help sporting professionals to improve performance and recovery
- Developing nutritionally balanced food plans for organisations and businesses
- Motivating and encourage people to make healthier food and lifestyle choices
- Analysing health claims in food production for rejection or approval of packaging wording and promotional materials
- Providing dietary and nutrition advice for specific groups, such as the very young or the elderly, pregnant and nursing women, or those suffering with eating disorders
- Researching food science and analyse scientific information to produce and publish reports and papers
- Advising and shaping health policy
Becoming a nutritionist could be for you if...
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You like helping and educating people
You’ll need to enjoy guiding, encouraging and supporting people, and offering information in a clear, easy-to-understand way.
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You’re interested in science
An aptitude for scientific study is essential, plus a keen interest in the science behind foods and how they interact with the body and our health.
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You can show empathy
As a nutritionist, it’s important to listen, understand and empathise with people, and show patience and respect at all times.
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You like data and analysis
You’ll need to be able to digest, understand and analyse lots of data to research, evaluate and report accurate information.
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You’re a good communicator
Not only will you need to possess good interpersonal skills, you’ll also need to be a good, confident writer and presenter too.
What are the typical working hours for a nutritionist?
Most nutritionists work standard business hours of 09:00 to 17.00, Monday to Friday. Occasionally you may be required to work some evenings or weekends. If you work as a freelance nutritionist, you may need to be more flexible to suit your clients.
£15,000 - £25,000 is the average starting salary for a public sector nutritionist, rising to an average of £20,000 - £25,000 for those working in the private sector.
Experienced nutritionists can earn between £30,000 and £55,000, with salaries rising to as much as £80,000 for senior educational or public health roles.
