Becoming a nutritional therapist involves obtaining proper training and certification, with programs ranging from one to four years. Internships are often recommended, and certification may be required in some regions. Job opportunities exist in various settings, including hospitals, schools, and private companies.
It’s no secret that what you put into your body affects how you feel. If you are dedicated to helping others prevent, treat and overcome illness and disease through food and nutrition, a career as a nutritional therapist may be for you. To become a nutritional therapist, you must receive the proper training and obtain regional, national, or commercial certification to practice.
Nutritional therapists believe that with a proper diet the body can heal itself, a position widely supported by modern medicine. Nutritional therapy works to correct deficits in vitamins, nutrients and minerals, maintaining a healthy balance to ensure optimal health for patients. This knowledge is not simply absorbed or learned quickly on its own; To become a nutritional therapist, prospective students must apply to an institution of higher learning.
Colleges and universities offer certificate and diploma programs in the fields of nutrition and dietetics. Training programs for nutrition therapists range from one to four years, with the option to pursue further education for up to four additional years in a postgraduate nutrition therapist education program. The amount of education required to practice varies by location.
Many nutritionists choose to undertake an internship while training to become a nutritional therapist. Internships, also called clinics or clinical hours, give students hands-on, real-life experience in the field under the guidance of a licensed physician or practitioner. Some nutrition therapist programs require students to complete a certain number of clinical hours. In programs where clinics are not required, students who wish to have a better understanding of the material may wish to undertake them voluntarily.
Some regions require certification to work as a registered dietitian or nutritional therapist. In areas that require licensure or certification, students must pass an exam and be recognized by a government agency before they can practice. Other locations do not have certification requirements. Contact your local government or college that offers nutrition therapy courses to find details about education and licensing standards in your area.
After gaining education and recognition in the field, the next step required to become a nutrition therapist is to find a job in the field of nutrition or dietetics. These jobs exist in hospitals, nursing homes, schools and public health agencies. Private companies dealing with food or public service can also hire nutritional therapists to ensure that their product or service meets the nutritional standards and requirements set by government agencies.
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