There are various types of nutritionists in India out of which each of them specializes in different fields. A nutritionist is someone who specializes in nutrition research. Nutritionists range from those who write popular books about diet and nutrition issues but have no specialized education in the field to those who have masters or doctoral degrees in nutrition or related fields such as public health, medicine, food science, agriculture, or biochemistry.
In order to become a nutritionist, the aspirant must take Science in their 10+2. There are many top colleges in India that offer nutritionist courses and admissions to these courses are generally based on merit. Nutritionists are employed in various sectors like public health, food industry, government, research, sports, FDA etc. They earn a handsome salary of INR 30,000 per month.
Types of Nutritionists
Nutritionists all work with food, but their roles differ depending on where they work. Here are a few types of nutritionists:
Clinical Nutritionist
- Clinical nutritionists work one-on-one with patients in hospitals and clinics.
- They collaborate with doctors and nurses on healthcare teams to design and implement meal plans that help patients combat health issues such as cancer or diabetes.
- They are usually hospital employees or private practitioners.
- The average salary of a Clinical Nutritionist in India is INR 27,1058 per month.
Gerontological Nutritionist
- A gerontological nutritionist is interested in the effects of nutrition on the elderly.
- They work in hospitals, nursing homes, and community health centers to educate patients and clients on how to care for the elderly.
- The average salary of a gerontological nutritionist in India is INR 22,591 per month.
Public Health Nutritionist
- A public health nutritionist educates the public about nutrition through classes, workshops, or counseling.
- They primarily collaborate with community organizations or local governments to provide resources to people with low-income or high-risk jobs so that they can maintain healthy lifestyles with the resources at their disposal.
- They can also work in public advocacy to improve the understanding of nutrition in government regulations.
- The average salary of a public health nutritionist in India is INR 22,591 per month.
Management Nutritionist
- Nutritionists are hired by large companies or institutions that are in charge of providing food to their employees or the general public.
- These nutritionists are responsible for developing meal plans that feed large groups of people at a low cost while adhering to the company's nutritional standards.
- They may be in charge of food procurement, testing, and budgeting.
- The average salary of a Management Nutritionist in India is INR 20,871 per month.
Sports Nutritionist
- Athletes work with sports nutritionists to create meal plans and educate them on nutrition so that they can improve their performance or balance their active lifestyles.
- Sports nutritionists are employed by universities, professional sports leagues, or individual athletes.
- They can also work in gyms, fitness centers, or sports clinics to teach active people about nutrition and help them create diets that will help them achieve personal health goals or improve their athletic ability.
- The average salary of a Sports Nutritionist in India is INR 23,871 per month.
Animal Nutritionist
- Animal nutritionists are experts in foods that provide essential nutrients for various animals.
- They frequently consult on the ingredients of pet food products for pet food companies.
- They occasionally collaborate directly with animal-care institutions. An animal nutritionist may be hired by zoos, wildlife reserves, or farmers to consult on a variety of animals in their care.
- Private practice veterinarians may consult with an animal nutritionist on individual pets.
- The average salary of an Animal Nutritionist in India is INR 40,000 per month.
Holistic Nutritionist
- A holistic nutritionist focuses on how the mind, body, and spirit interact to affect a person's health.
- This could broaden the nutritionist's scope beyond food nutrition to include other aspects of a client's lifestyle.
- Holistic nutritionists may work with private clients or organisations seeking holistic advice that do not adhere to government or health organisation nutrition guidelines.
- The average salary of a Holistic Nutritionist in India is INR 25,000 per month.
Nutrition Consultant
- A nutrition consultant is someone who provides nutritional advice but does not meet the educational or licensing requirements of a certified nutritionist.
- A high school diploma or GED is required to become a nutrition consultant, and you must pass exams to be credentialed by the American Association of Nutrition Consultants.
- The majority of nutrition consultants work in private practise or as health coaches.
- The average salary of a Nutrition Consultant in India is INR 31,000 per month.
Registered Dietitian Nutritionist
- A dietitian nutritionist specializes in nutrition and has completed the educational and credential requirements to become a licenced dietitian.
- They meet the following requirements: Earn a bachelor's degree with Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics-accredited coursework.
- The average salary of a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist in India is INR 30,500 per month.
Skills Required to Become a Nutritionist
As a Nutritionist, some of the key skills required to become a nutritionist are:
Good Communication Skills | Passion and Empathy | Team-working Skills |
Multitasking and working independently | Time management skills | Self-motivation |
Business skills | Continuing Professional Development | Intrapersonal Skills |
Types of Nutritionists: FAQs
Ques. Is a career as a nutritionist/dietitian a good one? Also, what do you have to do to become one?
Ans. Dietitians and nutritionists are in high demand as more people become aware of the importance of proper nutrition. For the foreseeable future, there will be plenty of job opportunities. You must be knowledgeable in the sciences, articulate and able to explain your findings, skilled in counseling and education, and have excellent interpersonal skills.
Ques. What is the function of a nutritionist?
Ans. Proper nutrition is essential for a healthy lifestyle and overall well-being. A nutritionist can help you improve your health by analyzing your diet and giving you personalized advice. Based on your health goals or medical needs, the nutritionist will make recommendations and meal plans for you. Nutritionists work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, colleges, health services, and private practice.
Ques. What is the function of Clinical Nutritionists?
Ans. Clinical nutritionists work in medical settings such as hospitals, clinics, and doctors' offices. These nutritionists are in charge of providing medicinal nutrition counseling, which is a therapeutic approach that is tailored to the diet used to treat illnesses.
Ques. How to Become a Nutritionist in India?
Ans. Nutrition is much more than just studying macronutrients and micronutrients, or how to design a diet for a specific population, or nutritional biochemistry; it extends far beyond that. Nutrition considers your history, epidemiology, cultures and traditions, taste buds, allergies and sensitivities, and a variety of other factors.
Ques. Which is the best Nutritionist training course in India?
Ans. Irrespective of the course you pursue, your determination to serve your clients is what matters at the end.
Ques. How does one go about becoming a certified nutritionist?
Ans. You can become a certified nutritionist by applying for a course in fitness academies. After applying, you will study that course, and after passing the exam with a passing mark percentage, you will receive a certificate and you will become a certified nutritionist.
Ques. What are some of the top colleges to pursue a Nutritionist course in India?
Ans. Amity University Gurugram, University of Mumbai, Maharashtra University of Health Sciences, IGNOU New Delhi, S.A College of Arts and Science, New Delhi YMCA etc are some of the top colleges.
Ques. What is the role of Nutritionist in hospitals?
Ans. Clinical Nutritionists assess the nutritional needs of hospital patients and the elderly in nursing homes. They collaborate with doctors and other healthcare professionals to create appropriate nutritional programmes for patients.
Ques. Who is an Animal Nutritionist?
Ans. You'll need to evaluate the chemical and nutritional value of feeds, feed supplements, grass, and forage for commercial animals and pets as an animal nutritionist. Diets and rations to maximize growth, reproduction, health, and performance evaluate the nutritional and economic value of feeding systems.