Do you dream of a career that allows you to decide on the breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks of your client? Well if it is so, then a career in nutritional sciences may be just your bet. Before you jump the gun, know that nutritional science is more than just a bland study of health, body and nutrients. It delves deep into the science of food and nutrition and explains the relation between the body and balanced eating. In short, it explains what to eat and why. From dietary food fads to foods that heal, nutritional science has made groundbreaking innovations into our food platter. If you wish to gain expertise in nutrition and dietetics, then getting a professional degree and a license can leave you with a plum career. Here is a brief snapshot on the course requirements, career details and remuneration in nutritional science. Plough through these details to know more.
Career In Nutritional Science
Course Details
Nutritional science has budding prospects in India and students wanting to make it big as nutritionists and dieticians, major in it to begin with. The minimum educational precondition for undergraduate programs is 10+2. Candidates enrolling in undergraduate programs should complete their higher secondary and must have a strong background in physics, chemistry, biology or mathematics. Candidate aiming for a masters degree and doctoral degree program in nutritional science should possess a bachelor’s degree in nutritional science or related areas from an accredited institute. The coursework of nutritional science centers on the fundamentals of nutrition and fitness and involves the study of subjects like basic nutrition, human biology, metabolic diseases, clinical dietetics and more. Students can also opt for various specialized courses like food management and food supplements to have an edge to their study.
Career Prospects
Growing concerns over fitness and health and sedentary lifestyle have catapulted great concerns over food and diet. The burgeoning cult over skimpy diets and fast food has added to various lifestyle diseases, thereby intensifying the need for nutritionists to guide us down our food trail. Licensed nutritionists and dieticians with a specialized degree in nutritional science can join the health care industry as registered dietician or serve as community health educators, director of nutrition services in hospitals, family services counselors, food service managers, nutrition consultants, office managers, personal trainers, physical education teachers, public health nutritionists and more. Professional nutritionists can expect to find jobs in community centers, community corporations, food manufacturing companies, fitness centers and gyms, health and recreation clubs, health management organizations, hospitals and more.
Institutes Offering Nutritional Science Courses
Several colleges all over India cater to professional training in nutritional science: Some of the colleges offering graduate and post graduate degree in Nutritional Science are
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Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry (Himachal Pradesh)
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Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture & Technology (Kanpur)
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SNDT Women's University (Thane)
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University of Calicut (Calicut)
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The University of Mysore (Mysore)
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Avinashilingam University for Women (Coimbatore)
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Saurashtra University ( Rajkot)
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Rajendra Agricultural University (Samastipur)
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G.B Pant University of Agriculture & Technology (Uttranchal)
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Banasthali University (Banasthali)
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CCS Haryana Agricultural University (Hissar)
Remuneration
Nutritionists employed in the public sector as dieticians or nutrition teachers can expect a remuneration of 8,000 to 15,000 rupees per month, while those working in the private sector industries, posh hotels and plush clinics can expect a much higher salary. Professional nutritionists and dieticians practicing privately can pocket big paychecks with elite client lists.
