For quite some time, educated people in urban India have become diet-conscious because diet plays a major role in promotion of health and well-being of an individual. Look at the figures of film stars and models! They are so slim and full of energy because they understand the value of being fit; that also enables them to perform better. A good and balanced diet habit improves the quality of life while poor diet may lead to a number of diseases including obesity. Nutritionists and dietetics deal with this aspect. Dietetics is the science and art of feeding individuals based on the principles of nutrition. While dietetics is related to food management, nutrition is related to promotion of health.
You must have seen diabetic people concerned about their diet. Similarly, senior citizens also have a simple diet — one or two chapatis, fresh vegetables and lots of fruits. Even young people, especially women, avoid fats and carbohydrates. Indian people are also understanding the role of nutritionists and dieticians in improving the quality of their life.
Because of their specialisation in healthy and nutritious diet-planning, the nutritionists and dieticians get absorbed easily in government and private hospitals, nursing homes, boarding schools, fitness centres, five-star hotels, sports and health clubs, and also in research institutes. International organisations like UNO, UNICEF, FAQ, etc., also employ them.
Career options In Nutrition and Dietetics:
- Clinical Nutritionist! Dieticians: These specialists in consultation with doctors make plans for the food intake of patients in hospitals and nursing homes and monitor their progress.
- Community Nutritionist! Dieticians: Government and private agencies hire them to take care of the health of people, young and old, who go to fitness clubs and gymnasiums. They also serve in day-care centres for children. Through lectures, demonstrations and meetings, they give useful health-care tips to the public.
- Consultant Nutritionist / Dieticians: These specialists work independently and usually give counselling to rich people and VIPs like film stars and other celebrities. They are much in demand in fitness and sports clubs, spas, 5-star hotels, etc.
- Management Nutritionist! Dieticians: They plan and design nutritious food programmes for children and employees in boarding schools, multi-national companies, private organizations and hospitals, respectively.
Eligibility :
10+2 in science with Biology / Home Science from any recognised board.
Undergraduate courses:
- B. Sc. (Clinical Nutrition, Dietetics and Catering Management)
- B. Sc. (Food Science Management)
- B. Sc. (Dietetics and Applied Nutrition)
- B. Sc. (Nutrition and Dietetics)
- Diploma courses
A graduate can further pursue M. Sc. and Ph. D.
Professional Institutes:
- National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh. Web : https://www.nin.res.in/
- Institute of Home Economics, Delhi University, Delhi. Web : http://www.ihe-du.com/
- Lady Irwin College, Delhi University, Delhi. Web : http://www.ladyirwin.edu.in/index.aspx
- Acharya N.G. Ranga Agriculture University, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh. Web : https://angrau.ac.in/angrau/
- Women’s Christian College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Web : https://wcc.edu.in/
- University of Mumbai, Mumbai, Maharashtra. Web : http://mu.ac.in/
- Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Vadodara, Gujarat. Web : https://msubaroda.ac.in/
- St. Teresa’s College, Ernakulam, Kerala. Web : https://teresas.ac.in/
- Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture and Technology, Udaipur, Rajasthan. Web : https://www.mpuat.ac.in/
- Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamil Nadu. Web : https://www.cmch-vellore.edu/
- Sri Ramachandra University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Web : https://www.sriramachandra.edu.in/
Placements:
- Government hospitals,
- government’s health department,
- schools,
- colleges, and office cafeterias,
- sports and health clubs,
- private hospitals and clinics,
- research and development,
- food and beverage companies
