What exactly does a nutritionist do?

I'm interested in health and wellness careers, and nutritionist seems like a cool path. Can someone explain what nutritionists do daily and what it takes to become one? Is it more about creating meal plans or educating clients?

A nutritionist works primarily with individuals to guide them through understanding the impact of their dietary decisions on their overall wellbeing. Nutritionists evaluate individual nutritional needs based on health conditions, lifestyle, and personal goals. From these evaluations, they may develop personalized eating plans, track progress over time and suggest adjustments as needed.

The daily activities of a nutritionist can vary greatly depending on the setting in which they work. This could be a hospital, community health center, private practice, school, or with a sports team. A large part of the work involves educational components, such as providing nutrition-related workshops or seminars, or counseling individuals or groups about nutrition and healthy eating habits.

Becoming a nutritionist requires a bachelor's degree in a related field such as dietetics, nutrition, or food service systems management. Then, depending on the state in which you reside, you might need to receive licensure or certification. Some states require nutritionists to become Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs), a credential administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration. This also requires completing a supervised practice program and passing an exam.

Bear in mind that the day-to-day work of a nutritionist often goes beyond creating meal plans to include ongoing education and adjustments to address changing needs or goals, as well as client counseling and support. As a nutritionist, fostering an understanding and making helpful dietary information more accessible to your clients will be a vital part of your role.