Nutrition

What is it?

Nutrition is all about how food affects our health and wellbeing. It’s true – you are what you eat!

 

You look at what foods are made of, and the links between diet and disease. Then you use the information to help people stay healthy.

 

You could work in the community, helping kids learn about good food or encouraging everyone to eat more fruit and veg. You could work in public health, spreading the word on a wider scale. Many nutritionists are employed in the food industry, teaching, research or the media.

 

Want to work with individual patients in a hospital? Then take a look at the information on dietetics.

 

What are the good bits?

• You meet many different people who can all benefit from your support
• You help people get healthier and stay well
• Plenty of job choice – in the community, for the government, with a food manufacturer or supermarket

What skills and interests do I need?

• An interest in people, food and medicine
• Good communication skills
• Able to work as a team as well as on your own
• Dedication and motivation

What qualifications/training will I need?

After GCSEs you need to stay on at school or go to college to study science – for example, Chemistry and Biology at A level, a science BTEC or an Access course. Then you’ll need to study Nutrition (three or four years) or Nutrition and Dietetics (four years) at a university.