Nutritionists provide education and guidance to their clients about nutrition, healthy eating and wellbeing. With an in-depth knowledge of food science, nutritionists work with individuals and groups to advise them on their diet and wellbeing routine, helping them gain all nutrients they need as well as advising them on other activities which can optimise their health and prevent disease. 

Nutritionists can work one to one with clients, however they can also work in community projects, schools, public health organisations, charities and research projects. There are also nutritionists who work in animal nutrition, child nutrition and other specialised areas. 

Unlike dietitians who are qualified to work with individuals exhibiting negative eating behaviours and who work closely to treat medical conditions, nutritionists are healthcare professionals who provide more general nutrition advice and work towards positive goals with clients. 

Nutritionists are more likely to work in sports nutrition or give general dietary advice and support. Some of the day to day tasks of a nutritionist include:

In the UK, nutritionists earn between £24,000 and £37,000 a year according to the National Careers Service. If you’re working as a freelancer, your wages can vary depending on your clients.

In order to become a nutritionist you will need an excellent understanding of food science and health, and therefore will likely need a science-based qualification. Although there is no set qualification nutritionists need, the vast majority will have a bachelors or masters degree in a science or health related subject. 

Most organisations require you to have a nutrition degree which is approved by the Association for Nutrition, such as food and BSc hons nutrition science, biochemistry, public health, health science or physiology. 

However, if you already have a degree in an unrelated subject, you can still pivot your career into nutrition through a masters degree course and some nutrition jobs will also accept industry qualifications and a significant amount of experience in lieu of other qualifications. 

Enrolling on a science-related bachelor’s degree (or postgraduate degree) programme requires you to meet certain entry requirements. This usually includes 2 or 3 A Levels (or equivalent) including a biology or chemistry subject, and for a masters programme also includes an undergraduate degree (often in a related subject). If you do not have previous science qualifications, or you want to increase your chances of getting on a nutrition course, you can also study an online course. 

There are a variety of Nutrition Courses and Health Courses which can be completed entirely online, and which you can study in your own time through distance learning. This is a flexible and affordable way to progress in a career in nutrition, particularly if you are changing careers or want to strengthen your university application.

There are many skills that nutritionists have including the interpersonal, the practical and the personal. Some of the key skills which will be required or very useful in this career include:

Gaining work experience in nutrition or health will put you at a great advantage when it comes to applying for nutrition jobs or university courses. Although it is not usually a requirement, being able to bring some experience to the table is always good, whether that is voluntary work, paid employment, an internship or a short work shadowing period. 

For example working at a hospital, obesity clinic, health/sports facility or doctor’s office in any position from portering to nursing assistant will be beneficial for your role as a nutritionist. If you plan to work in a specific sector such as child nutrition, then see if you can find voluntary work in a school or childcare setting.

Nutrition is such a diverse and important aspect of our daily lives that there are numerous career opportunities for nutritionists. Once you become a registered nutritionist (RNutr) by completing an approved course as discussed above, you can work either independently or for other organisations. Some of the most common sectors which nutritionists work in include:

Nutrition is such a diverse and important aspect of our daily lives that there are numerous career opportunities for nutritionists. Once you become a registered nutritionist (RNutr) by completing an approved course as discussed above, you can work either independently or for other organisations. Some of the most common sectors which nutritionists work in include: