About Nutritional Consultant Programs

Nutritional consultant programs offer students the educational opportunity to learn about optimum nutrition and wellness in a healing arts field. They're trained in all areas of nutrition, which qualifies them to give advice to their clients.

Facts

• Nutritional consultant programs teach students about reducing illness or chronic degenerative diseases through healthy nutrition. They are taught how to overcome health obstacles by understanding the functioning of the body systems and how they relate to nutrition. These programs show students nutrition methods that enhance health. After graduation, they will be able to help people with their individual nutritional problems by giving them the tools they need to live a healthier life such as types of diet, needed supplements and lifestyle changes.

Features

• Some of the subjects that may be covered in nutrition consultant programs include principles of nutrition, nutritional biochemistry, acid alkaline balance, food combining and holistic health protocols. Other subjects that may be offered are alternative healing methods, orthomolecular and pediatric nutrition. Because students must learn how the body works in its relationship to food, courses such as anatomy and physiology and biology are usually offered.

Specialty Areas

• There are many specialty areas in nutritional consultant programs. Choices include sports, weight management, diabetes, women's health, pregnancy, cholesterol-lowering diets, allergy-symptom reduction and gastrointestinal disorders. Other specialty areas are pediatrics or geriatrics. Eating disorders are usually said to be a psychiatric disorder, but nutritional consultants can also specialize in this area. One part of an eating disorder has to do with eating patterns that become maladaptive. Nutritional consultants can help in the treatment of this disorder.

Jobs

• Graduates of nutrition consultant programs can work with chiropractors, physical therapists and many other professionals in the health-care field. They can also start their own nutritional consulting business or teach classes about nutrition. Nutritional consultants can also work for restaurants, spas and resorts and plan their menus. Nursing homes, assisted living facilities and hospitals also hire nutritional consultants. Writing articles for health and nutrition publications or public speaking about health and wellness are other options.

Benefits

• Everyone has specific requirements for food choices. Good nutrition can prevent or improve many illnesses. Nutritional consultant programs give students a career that is beneficial in helping them teach people to live a healthier life. A four-year accredited college or university program in nutrition dietetics, a year-long dietetic internship and a registration exam by the American Dietetic Association is required to become a registered dietitian. A two-year, six-month program at the college level is required to become a certified nutritionist.