You might be under the impression that an educational degree is a necessary prerequisite to becoming a professional nutritionist in India. Most sources on the Internet, in fact, direct you to the best courses in Nutrition when you search for career paths in nutrition. However, becoming a nutritionist without a degree is actually possible! In this post, Superprof brings you the different routes you can explore to become a career nutritionist in India, whether you have a B.Sc. degree or not.
What is the Role of a Nutritionist?
Before you decide to take the leap of faith into a career as a nutritionist, you should have clarity on what a nutritionist does. Above all else, nutritionists value health and believe that food choice is the key to maintaining good health. Nutritionists use their expertise to assess a client’s dietary and nutritional needs, provide them with nutrition plans, counsel them on foods, and help them to make better food choices.
Nutrition affects everyone, regardless of who they are, so gaining some knowledge about the foods you eat and how they impact your health is a win/win no matter what your main goal is.
Nutritionists work in a variety of job settings, from hospitals to long-term-care centers to schools to nonprofit agencies to private practice. Nutritionists are expected to be well-versed in science, particularly human anatomy. If spending four to six years getting a bachelor’s degree or master’s degree in nutrition doesn’t sound like something you want to do, it is possible to work as an unlicensed or unregulated nutritionist by earning certification in online programs to earn nutritionist credentials.
A career in nutrition and dietetics can be a lucrative option. Once well-established, there is no limitation to earnings. A nutritionist working in private hospitals as a trainee may earn a starting salary of Rs.10,000 per month and as he/she gains more experience, the salary may go up to Rs.35,000. Researchers of nutrition, in academics or food manufacturing units earn well. along with other perks and benefits.
Consultant nutritionists in private practice earn much more than nutritionists in other job sectors, depending on their skills and reputation, as they can attract more clients through personal networks. Some nutritionists may specialize in areas such as renal or pediatric dietetics. The employment sectors where nutritionists are in high demand include:
Government Sector
Nutritionists can work in government hospitals, government health departments, schools, colleges, factories, and office cafeterias for planning nutritional regimens.
Sports and Health Clubs
Sports nutritionists work for sports hostels and athletes' camps. Health and recreation clubs, canteen and nursing care facilities also require the services of sports nutritionists and dietitians. Employment opportunities are also open to them in the catering department of star hotels and restaurants.
Teaching, Research, and Development
A research dietician or nutritionist conducts research on the nutritive value of food which helps to understand the various components of the food we eat and the right type of food which provides a balanced mix of the essentials like vitamins, minerals, etc. needed for the human body. They also can opt for research careers in universities, public or private sector research institutes, food product manufacturing companies, and hospitals.
Mass Media
Certified nutritionists and dietitians online can find employment opportunities in the mass media where top priority is given to disseminating vital information on healthy living.
Earn Certification in Nutrition
Enrolling in an online certificate course in Nutrition does not require any previous qualifications of a nutritionist. However, you should be familiar with basic computer skills. For those who wish to enrol in an intermediate-level course, prior knowledge of the fundamentals of nutrition may come in handy. Usually, there are no age requirements to participate, and most online courses are available anywhere in the world. Some of these courses are even subtitled in other languages for more global accessibility.
Diploma in Nutrition and Dietetics (IGMPI)
This is a technical, distance learning course. An array of learning resources, hands-on training, and an off-course completion certificate will equip the learner with a wide range of career prospects, including nutritionists, dietitians, wellness counsellors, fitness journalists, and so on.
Program Structure
- Module 1: Introduction to Human Biology and Body Functions.
- Module 2: Nutrients (Role and Significance)
- Module 3: Understanding Nutrition (Basic diets for normal conditions/RDA)
- Module 4: Advanced Nutrition
- Module 5: Introduction to Nutraceuticals
- Module 6: Introduction to Special Conditions and Diet Therapy
- Module 7: Introduction to Clinical Nutrition
- Module 8: Food Microbiology
- Module 9: Recommend Approaches to Disease and Nutrition
- Module 10: Nutritional Biochemistry
- Module 11: Research Method Statistics
- Module 12: Medical Nutrition management
- Module 13: Path Physiology and Metabolism in Disease
- Module 14: Public Nutrition and Health
- Module 15: Pediatric and Geriatric Nutrition
- Module 16: Food Allergies and Diet Management
- Module 17: Case Studies
- Module 18: Laboratory demonstration, practicals, and instrument handling
Find private lessons with a nutritionist near me to learn everything you need to know.
Diploma in Nutrition and Dietetics (Orange Beauty Institute)
The course is best suited for those who have a knack for understanding the nutritional needs of individuals and chalking out a personalized diet plan. From nutritionists to food bloggers, candidates can gain expertise in nutrition at a professional as well as individual level.
Level I
- The 15-month Diploma in Nutrition and Dietetics kicks off at Level I with a basic understanding of the anatomy and physiology of the human digestive system
- You’ll gain thorough knowledge about macronutrients and micronutrients, food & basic terminologies in nutrition, different food selection and preparation, food assimilation, and effect on growth, etc
- You will learn the complete nutrition care process – starting from assessment, drug-nutrient interaction to nutrition support processes
- Each level of Orange International comprises theory classes followed by practical sessions
- At Level I of this program, the practical sessions will include budget cooking, BMI, BCA, and rich sources of different nutrients
Level II
- Level II covers recent approaches in the field of nutrition and diet
- You will learn about genetically modified foods, organic foods, bio-fortification, processed and convenience foods, space foods, food fortification, functional foods, fad diets, and common anti-nutrients
- You will be introduced to novel foods that increase food quality, besides food budgeting, food labelling, food preservation, food adulteration, fermentation, germination, and supplementation
- Dealing with Obesity – the biggest epidemic of the new millennium will be the prime focus of level II
- You will acquire knowledge about eating disorders, meal planning, weight management, fat, and fat-free mass and understand the causes & consequences of obesity
- You will attain knowledge on the interrelationship between beauty & diet, besides nutrition as per the Indian medical system & yoga
- In the practical sessions of level II, you will attend various weight management seminars and diet counselling events, visit a weight loss center and learn low-fat cooking and standardization
Level III
- At Level III, you will gain professional expertise in Diet Planning for various age groups, viz old age, infancy, childhood, adolescent, and adulthood
- Special conditions like pregnancy and lactation will also be covered for a deeper understanding
- You will know how various government, UNICEF, WHO programs are involved in nutrition education
- You will be taught effective techniques of Diet Counselling
- The practical sessions will include diet planning in all physiological groups, nutritional labelling – analysis as well as organizing diet counselling events in a nearby village or community
Level IV
- The level IV of Diploma in Nutrition and Dietetics equips with an all-encompassing knowledge of nutrition for sports person & athletes training & performance, reproductive issues like –
- Menopause
- Diabetes mellitus
- Gastrointestinal diseases
- An inborn error of metabolism
- You will also gain a basic understanding of the human skeletal system, renal system, cardiovascular system, and respiratory system
- Based on this, you will be gaining insights into addressing nutritional needs:
- Bone health & dental health
- Renal diseases
- Cardiovascular diseases like hypertension, atherosclerosis, etc
- Respiratory diseases
- You will also learn how to address nutritional needs in situations like fever and other infectious diseases
- You will be taught hospital organizational structure and wellness organization structure, besides covering diet planning as per therapeutic conditions, hospital visits, and diet counselling events in your practical training
Internationally Accredited Diploma Certificate in Nutrition (Udemy)
This diploma in nutrition will be of great interest to all learners and healthcare professionals who wish to learn the fundamentals of nutrition science. It provides an in-depth look into macronutrients and micronutrients and understanding how they are essential for our bodies to grow and remain healthy.
Module-1: Introduction to Nutrition
- Discussion on nutrition and nutrients
- Understanding the concepts of Energy Balance, BMR [Basal Metabolic Rate], TDEE [Total Daily Energy Expenditure]
- Figuring out how to calculate them using certain equations and formulas
Module-2: Macronutrients
- In-depth study of 3 macronutrients i.e. carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, including their classifications, types, food sources, and their functions and requirements
Module 3: Micronutrients
- Discussion on fat-soluble and water-soluble vitamins, minerals, fiber, probiotics, and water
- In-depth discussion of the important functions that these micronutrients play in the human body, their best food sources, and symptoms that may occur in case there is a deficiency of a respective nutrient in our diet
- Voiceover presentation which explains all the slides in detail
Module 4
- 14 Nutritional Guidelines
- 15 Healthy Snack Ideas
- A few diet plans (both vegetarian and non-vegetarian)
Certified Sports Nutritionist Course (K11 School of Fitness Science)
The K11 Human Performance Nutrition (HPN) Certification Course is specially designed to help you obtain the knowledge required to prescribe nutrition plans for active, exercising individuals and even competitive athletes. This course provides in-depth knowledge on food selection, macronutrient ratios, micronutrients, and human physiology related to the digestion and metabolism of food. It is about learning nutrition that is geared towards optimal performance and body composition.
Child Nutrition and Cooking (Stanford Online through Coursera)
This course is designed for those who are interested in promoting health and enjoyment throughout their lives and the lives of the children they care for. Short 3-9 minute videos with integrated, introductory-level quizzes are paired with a collection of "blackboard style" videos that help students better understand our food. Dynamic food-preparation assignments and opportunities to collaborate with classmates around the world make this one-of-a-kind course.
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I want to start my career as a nutritionist
Hey Purnima,
Thank you for your interest in Superprof.
Please send an email to namaste@superprof.com and one of our team members will assist you with signing up as a Nutritionist on Superprof.
Iam already doing my carrier as a Nutrition Advisor last twenty two years. But not registered,and I attained some nutrition Diploma and certificates from different institutes like NUTRILITE, ALISON and WHO. So I like to update my knowledge and carrier. Thank you.
Hello Mr. Samuel!
To become a nutritionist in India without a university degree, you can pursue a diploma or certification program in nutrition from a recognized institution. These programs typically cover the fundamentals of nutrition, dietetics, and food science.
You can also gain knowledge and experience in nutrition through self-study and practical work. This may involve reading books, attending workshops, and volunteering in nutrition-related organizations. However, it’s important to note that self-study alone may not be sufficient to qualify you for certain job roles
Hope this helps!
I want to be a nutritionist , though I don’t have a university degree, I’m thinking of completing certificate course by udemy. Will it land me in any job?
Hello!
While Udemy certificates can provide valuable knowledge and skills in nutrition, they alone are not sufficient to become a registered dietitian in India.
I am very keen on studying Nutrition Science. I am well settled in another profession but Nutrition science is the field in which I have a great interest. I want to pursue a online certificate course from a top of the league foreign University. Whether it will land me somewhere?. Can after completing of the course I practice in India ?
Hello sir,
It would be great if you research to become a Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS) in India.