Is anyone here a dietician or nutritionist?

fufu_banterwaite

I am currently working in a job where I am not happy. I’ve stuck with it for three years and in that time have managed to save a decent amount of money. I am quitting in June and was going to use the money I had saved to go travelling for a year or so. But now I am thinking about my career options and what I really want to do, as it isn’t what I am doing I have decided I’ll probably take a break for a couple of months and then hopefully start a new career!

I am being increasingly drawn to looking into becoming a dietician or nutritionist – it is something I find very interesting.

Just wonder is anyone on here a dietician or nutritionist? If so how did you get in it? Do you enjoy it?

Any advice much appreciated!

saker75

There is a pretty big difference between the two and many Dietician's have little time for nutrionalists. One is more medical than the other.
http://www.nhscareers.nhs.uk/explore-by-career/allied-health-professions/careers-in-the-allied-health-professions/dietitian/

fufu_banterwaite

saker75 wrote: »

There is a pretty big difference between the two and many Dietician's have little time for nutrionalists. One is more medical than the other.
http://www.nhscareers.nhs.uk/explore-by-career/allied-health-professions/careers-in-the-allied-health-professions/dietitian/

Thanks Saker, very interesting - do you work in either of these fields?

BillJones

fufu_banterwaite wrote: »

Thanks Saker, very interesting - do you work in either of these fields?

On this opint, anyone at all can say that they are a nutritionist. It's not a protected job title (such as doctor or dietician), so you can "be" one with no qualifications or experience.

Becauuse of this, be a bit cautious about claims made by nutritionists.

saker75

No OP I don't work in these fields but have a friend that is a Dietician. They are involved in working with obese patients pre-opp. They are employed by the NHS. Nutionalists seem to be much less regulated, if at all,

kkgree1

My mum is a dietician (has been for over 40 years). Something others haven't mentioned is that you normally need a Science degree to become a dietician. The majority work for the NHS.

Nutrionalists are far less regulated and are often work in the sports club/health spa market.

sniggings

you would need to be in it for more than the wage as it doesn't look that greatly paid, starting at around £21k and for a Lead Dietician maybe £30-35k, seems to me if you are going to do all that training why not choose a career that pays well.

Peccary

kkgree1 wrote: »

My mum is a dietician (has been for over 40 years). Something others haven't mentioned is that you normally need a Science degree to become a dietician. The majority work for the NHS.

Nutrionalists are far less regulated and are often work in the sports club/health spa market.

Dietetics is a career i have considered myself

For entry to most modern NHS Scientist careers you need a qualification approved by the professional body, in this case the British Dietetic Association. On a positive note, these are usually funded by the government and eligible for bursaries.

fufu_banterwaite

Peccary wrote: »

Dietetics is a career i have considered myself

For entry to most modern NHS Scientist careers you need a qualification approved by the professional body, in this case the British Dietetic Association. On a positive note, these are usually funded by the government and eligible for bursaries.

Thanks Peccary. What do you do now? Are you going to take a qualification to allow you to get into dietetics?

By the way I like your quote. I went travelling from 2009 to 2011 and when I got back I made a video about it. The aforementioned Mark Twain quote was the one I used right at the very end of it!

Peccary

fufu_banterwaite wrote: »

Thanks Peccary. What do you do now? Are you going to take a qualification to allow you to get into dietetics?

By the way I like your quote. I went travelling from 2009 to 2011 and when I got back I made a video about it. The aforementioned Mark Twain quote was the one I used right at the very end of it!

Hi,
I am looking at the options, i might just have to do a postgrad which would be good as i have a biology background. I am a DNA lab technician and previously worked in the NHS in genetics.

I quit the NHS job to travel, hence the quote! Since coming back i have been considering a career change to something more patient focussed

fufu_banterwaite

Peccary wrote: »

Hi,
I am looking at the options, i might just have to do a postgrad which would be good as i have a biology background. I am a DNA lab technician and previously worked in the NHS in genetics.

I quit the NHS job to travel, hence the quote! Since coming back i have been considering a career change to something more patient focussed

Ah I see, you are coming from a similar background so that makes sense. At the moment I work in PR & Marketing - so a complete change!