Nutrition and Dietetics, a subdiscipline of Health, actually the science that studies everything about food and its impact on our health and well-being. Nutritionists and dietitians work to improve people’s health and help them make healthier food choices. Nutrition and dietetics courses include Nutritional biochemistry, Clinical nutrition, Nutrition in health, Principles of dietetics, Human physiology, Intermediary metabolism, Food science, Diet in disease, Research methodology, Food microbiology and food safety, Product development, Nutrition for health and fitness. Nutrition is the process by which organisms use food to create energy and chemical structures. Dietetics is the study of how food and nutrition affect human health. Nutritionists and dietitians together use nutrition and food science to help people improve their health, make better dietary choices, and find a balance between good eating habits and exercising.
Nutrition and dietetics can lead to personal and professional growth, and play a crucial role in promoting healthy living and preventing diseases. The course graduates are food and nutrition experts who frequently work in hospitals, clinics, schools, community health centers, and private practice. Nutrition and dietetics courses are available at various levels, including undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels. The Nutrition and Dietetics syllabus and subjects cover a wide range of topics including nutrition, food management, food preservation, and food service.
To be eligible for the Nutrition and Dietetics course, candidates must have passed Class 12 in the Science stream with PCB (Biology/Chemistry/Physics) subjects and a 50% or equivalent CGPA. Nutrition and dietetics course admission is typically based on Class 12 results; however, some universities accept CUET and CUET PG scores. Dietician courses cost between INR 10k and INR 7 L. Jamia Hamdard, CMC, LPU, and Amity University are among the most popular colleges.
Candidates who complete a Dietician course can pursue careers as a Sports Nutritionist/Dietician, Clinical Dietician/Nutritionist, Community Dietician/Nutritionist, Pediatrics Dietician/Nutritionist, Management Dietician/Nutritionist, and so on.
Nutrition and dietetics graduates can work as:
- Dieticians: In hospitals
- Project assistants: For people in dire need
- Public health workers: In the field of public health
- Sport nutritionists: In the field of sport nutrition
- Food industry professionals: In the food industry
Nutrition and Dietetics Course Details
Students can get a quick overview about the Nutrition and Dietetics course. The Nutrition and Dietetics course offers major highlights, as listed below.
Particulars Details Course Name Nutrition and Dietetics Degree - Nutrition and Dietetics Certification Program
- Diploma in Nutrition and Dietetics
- BSc Nutrition and Dietetics
- MSc Nutrition and Dietetics
Course Duration - Certificate in Dietetics – 1 year
- Diploma in Diet Assistant – 1 year
- Diploma in Nutrition and Dietetics – 3 years
- BSc in Nutrition and Dietetics – 3 years
- BSc in Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics – 3 years
- MSc in Nutrition and Dietetics – 2 years
- MSc in Clinical Nutrition – 2 years
- PGDM in Dietetics and Applied Nutrition – 2 year
- PG Diploma in Dietetics – 1 year
- PG Diploma in Dietetics and Public Health – 1-year
Eligibility Criteria - For certificate, undergraduate diploma, and degree courses: 10+2 in PCB
- For Post Graduate Degree Courses: BSc with 45% marks
- For Post Graduate Diploma Courses: Graduation in the same field, diploma/certification
Admission Process - BSc (Entrance exam /10+2)
- MSc (Entrance exam/graduation marks)
- PG Diploma (direct admission)
Top Entrance Exams: CUET, LPU NEST, MDUCEE, etc. Nutrition and Dietetics Course Fee - Certification/Diploma: INR 35K – INR 1.50 L
- Undergraduate: INR 50K – INR 2.50 LPA (may vary)
- Post-Graduation: INR 50K – INR 2.50 LPA (may vary)
Career Options - Dietician
- Nutrition specialist
- Food Processing Manager
- Food Inspector
- Food Processing Manager
- Personal Dietician
Average Salary INR 2- 10 LPA Employment Area/Recruiting Companies - Urban Company
- Herbalife
- DocsApp
- HealthifyMe
- Food Packing Company
- Colleges & Universities
- Food Processing Companies
- Science Research Centers
- Content Writing (Health)
Specialisation Offered UG or PG in Nutrition, Human Physiology, Food Science, Food Technology, Dietetics, etc. Why Choose a Nutrition and Dietetics Course?
There are various reasons to pursue a Nutrition and Dietetics course. Some of them are:
- Following a degree in nutrition or dietetics, a person’s career path is quite productive, as people are becoming more aware of their health and fitness with each passing day.
- Being a dietician or nutritionist increases public health by raising awareness about diet, nutrition, and the link between healthy eating habits and disease prevention or management. They promote wellness and teach people about health as educators. They contribute to the creation and execution of plans aimed at enhancing the general and individual well-being of communities.
- They can also register as professionals, helping in the caregiving industry and becoming Registered Nurses or Rehab Counsellors, for example. In addition, they can serve as sports nutritionists, assisting athletes in obtaining the right nourishment to achieve optimal athletic performance.
- It’s a profitable career choice because dieticians and nutritionists frequently work at care facilities, corporations, food manufacturing industries, community and public health organisations, government agencies, and nonprofit organisations.
Nutrition and Dietetics Admission Process in India
Nutrition and Dietetics admission is based on both merit and entrance exam scores. However, candidates must meet the eligibility requirements listed below in order to be considered for Nutrition and Dietetics Admission 2024.
The eligibility criteria for the Nutrition and Dietetics course is mentioned below:
Nutrition and Dietetics Eligibility Criteria for Certificate, Undergraduate Diploma and Degree Courses
All interested candidates may check the eligibility criteria for the Nutrition and Dietetics Certificate, Undergraduate Diploma and Degree courses from the below mentioned information:
- Candidates can apply for undergraduate diploma, degree and certificate courses after completing their class 12 board exams.
- Admission to 3-year diploma programmes offered by some government institutes is done on the basis of state level entrance exams.
- Admission to certificate and short-term diploma programmes is done directly after candidates have passed 10+2 exams.
- For BSc programmes, it is essential for students to study Physics, Chemistry, Biology till class 12.
- Some of the institutes offer B.Sc. courses in Nutrition and Dietetics on the basis of entrance exams, however others conduct admission on the basis of marks secured by applicants in class 12.
Nutrition and Dietetics Eligibility Criteria for Post Graduate Degree Courses
All interested candidates may check the eligibility criteria for the Nutrition and Dietetics Post Graduate Degree courses from the below mentioned information:
- Candidates who have pursued BSc in this field with a minimum aggregate of 45% marks can apply for MSc in Nutrition and Dietetics.
- Admission to this programme is done on the basis of entrance exams. Some of the reputed institutes also conduct personal interviews to shortlist candidates for these programmes.
- Direct admission without entrance exams and personal interviews are also possible at some institutes.
Nutrition and Dietetics Eligibility Criteria for Post Graduate Diploma Courses
The candidates can check the eligibility criteria for the Nutrition and Dietetics Post Graduate Diploma courses are as follows.
- Aspiring candidates can apply for PG diploma programmes after completing their graduation in Nutrition and Dietetics.
- Some of the institutes also offer this programme to candidates who have pursued diploma courses in Nutrition and Dietetics.
Nutrition and Dietetics Admission Process 2024
The application process for Nutrition and Dietetics courses in India may differ slightly from other courses since it requires a specific set of abilities and knowledge. Most nutrition and dietetics colleges still select their applicants primarily through entrance exams, which are followed by interviews or group discussions. The admissions processes for nutrition and dietetics programmes in India are as follows.
- Entrance-Based Nutrition and Dietetics Admissions
- Merit-Based Nutrition and Dietetics Admissions
Although each college has its own admissions procedure for nutrition and dietetics, the general steps are as follows:
Step 1: Fill out the online Nutrition and Dietetics application form.
Step 2: Pay the registration fee and any additional costs that might be incurred in the event that admission is decided by merit. Entrance-based admissions to the nutrition and dietetics programme require exam-taking and passing.
Step 3: Those who made the short list will be invited to move on to the next round of interviews, group discussions, or counselling, depending on the nature of the process.
Step 4: Candidates must submit all required documents and fees in order to be admitted to the Nutrition and Dietetics programme after completing the previous steps.
Nutrition and Dietetics Required Skills
All professions agree on the importance of having a strong skill set for both career advancement and financial success. Therefore, students interested in pursuing a degree in nutrition and dietetics must also have the necessary skills. Here’s a list of the skills needed for nutrition and dietetics courses:
- Interest in food preparation
- Good interpersonal skills
- Proficient in report writing
- Proficient in problem-solving
- Excellent research and planning skills
- Compassionate for others
- Good verbal and listening skills
- Organizational ability
- Teamwork spirit
- Time management skills
- Understanding of science and human physiology
Career Options After Nutrition and Dietetics Courses
Candidates with a degree or diploma in Nutrition and Dietetics have a bright future ahead of them given the increasing worth of maintaining a balanced, healthful diet. The Nutrition and Dietetics employment area are research facilities, government and private hospitals, clinics, health departments, yoga studios, health clubs, fitness centers, pharmaceutical companies, hotels, and the food processing and manufacturing sector, among other places.
Job Profile Job Description Average Annual Salary Sports Nutritionist/Dietician Providing athletes and fitness enthusiasts with practical advice on how to enhance performance, control weight, improve health, and increase vitamin, mineral, and supplement intake. INR 3 – 4 LPA Clinical Dietician/Nutritionist After analyzing and assessing each patient’s unique needs, create or oversee specialized nutrition programmes for medical patients. INR 2 – 3 LPA Community Dietician/Nutritionist Work with big groups of people to teach them about healthy living and food nutrition. INR 3 – 4 LPA Pediatric Dietician/Nutritionist Work with kids who have diabetes or obesity and help them adopt a healthy, well-balanced diet. INR 2 – 4 LPA Management Dietician/Nutritionist Work in cafeterias, hospitals, clinics, and schools to guarantee that the dietary and nutritional needs of their patrons are satisfied. They oversee the kitchen crew and other dieticians, and they create budgets for meal plans that adhere to nutritional guidelines. INR 7 – 8 LPA R&D Dietician/Nutritionist works in research and development labs to guarantee food products meet quality and nutritional requirements. INR 10 LPA Consultant Dietician/Nutritionist accountable for comprehending the needs and lifestyles of various people and creating the optimum diet and nutrition plan for them. INR 7 – 8 LPA Nutrition and Dietetics Top Recruiters
Professionals in nutrition and dietetics get hired by the following companies:
Top Recruiters Nestle Cadbury’s Hindustan Unilever GSK Novartis Dumex Eli Lily Food & Nutrition Board Apollo Hospitals Le Meridian Hotel Taj Group of Hotels Vatika Group Hyatt Corporation Accord Hospitality Fortis Hospital Billroth Hospital Nutrition and Dietetics Employment Area
The employment area for nutrition and dietetics is as follows:
- Food Packing Company
- Colleges & Universities
- Food Processing Companies
- Science Research Centres
- Content Writing (Health)
- Hospitals
Nutrition and Dietetics Salary
Following completion of a Nutrition and Dietetics course, the starting salary in India varies between INR 2 and 10 LPA. However, the healthcare industry pays its employees differently depending on a number of variables, including the employee’s experience, company size, job profile, and location. Not every employee in the company will receive the same salary.
Nutrition and Dietetics Career Scope
The study of food, nutrition, and how it affects health is the main topic of nutrition and dietetics courses. It is essential for managing a range of medical conditions, preventing chronic diseases, and fostering good health. There are numerous career options in the public and private sectors for those with a background in nutrition and dietetics.
The field of nutrition and dietetics offers a wide range of career opportunities. It provides chances to positively influence people, communities, and society at large. A career in nutrition and dietetics enables individuals to support the promotion of health and well-being through one-on-one client work, community nutrition programme design, research, and teaching.