Nutrition Counselor

Nutrition Counselor

Nutrition Counselor Information from the FFA

General Information:

Nutrition Counselors advise and counsel on the nutritional value of food, caloric intake, and other food characteristics, while ensuring that nutritional requirements and health goals are met.

Career Information:

Nutrition Counselors (clinical dietitians) provide nutritional services for patients in institutions such as hospitals and nursing homes. They assess patients' nutritional needs, develop and implement nutrition programs, and evaluate and report the results. They also confer with doctors and other health care professionals in order to coordinate medical and nutritional needs. Some nutrition counselors specialize in the management of overweight patients, care of the critically ill, or care of renal (kidney) and diabetic patients. In addition, those employed by nursing homes or small hospitals may also manage the food service department.

Educational Requirements: 4 year degree

Suggested High School/Collegiate Courses: Agriculture, family and consumer sciences, psychology, dietetics, nutrition, biology, math, business and computers.

Skills Necessary: Mathematical , Analytical , Oral Communications , Interpersonal , Highly Motivated , Organizational , Scientific , Dependable , Patience , Team Player , Enthusiastic , Computer Skills , Written Communications , Self-Motivated , Leadership , Detail Oriented , Presentational , Technical , Responsible , Goal Oriented , Customer Service , Logical , Negotiating , Investigative , Helps Others , Orderly Minded , Good Judgment , Outgoing Personality , Motivational

Job Availability: Steady Growth

Location of jobs: Opportunities are availbable in all the United States. Over half the jobs for nutrition counselors are in hospitals, nursing homes, or offices and clinics of physicians. Other jobs are in restaurants, social service agencies, residential care facilities, diet workshops, physical fitness facilities, school systems, colleges and universities, or the federal government. Others are employed by firms that provide food services on contract to such facilities as colleges and universities, airlines, and company cafeterias.

Working Conditions: Most Nutrition Counselors work a regular 40-hour week, although some work weekends. Many work part time. Dietitians and nutritionists spend much of their time in clean, well-lighted, and well-ventilated areas. However, some dietitians spend time in hot, steamy kitchens. Dietitians and nutritionists may be on their feet for most of the work day.

Dietitians help promote good health through proper eating. They supervise the preparation and service of food, develop modified diets, participate in research, and educate individuals and groups on good nutritional habits. In a medical setting, a dietitian may provide specific artificial nutritional needs to patients unable to consume food normally. Dietary modification to address medical issues involving dietary intake is also a major part of dietetics. The goals of the dietary department are to provide medical nutritional intervention, obtain, prepare, and serve flavorsome, attractive, and nutritious food to patients, family members, and health care providers.

In many countries only people who have specified educational credentials can call themselves "dietitians" — the title is legally protected. The term "nutritionist" is also widely used; however, the term nutritionist is not regulated as dietitian is. People may call themselves nutritionists without the educational and professional requirements of registered dietitians."

The educational requirement for dietitians and those using the term nutritionist is important.

A Nutrition counselor has an important function in the overall counseling process.

In my alcohol treatment experience about 30 years ago, the first thing they did was give my B complex vitamins for my neuropathy and I was intrigued by that approach and began to look carefully at what was then called orthomolecular psychiatry.

I was surprised to learn that symptoms of schizophrenia for example could result from a wheat allergy.

Of course Beri Beri and scurvey are illnesses which occur as a result of poor nutrition, lack of vitamins, minerals, fiber, and what we now call phytochemicals.

These days there is quite an awareness by Baby Boomers that nutrition is a key piece of the neurogenesis and neuroplasticity puzzle. Boomers and Senior Citizens are running out to gobble up Omega 3 fatty acid because it is so important for the growth of new brain cells and the continued plasticity of neurons.

If you are curious about this brain fitness process, and the role of nutrition in brain fitness then you will need to read Brainfit for Life to get a clear picture of the pillars of brain fitness that the authors, Simon Evans,Ph.D. and Paul Burghardt,Ph.D., neuroscientists at the University of Michigan, discuss.

After your workout, you will want to eat lots of colorful foods containing lots of micro and macro nutrients, and then take a nap, before practicing your brain fitness program.

Or maybe you want to find a educational program as a nutritionist, then click just below. Thanks.