Working as a nutrition advisor or dietician is a great way to help people reach their health goals through dedicated nutritional guidance. Understanding the benefits of a healthy diet, as well as a knowledge of requirements for those with specific needs (such as diabetes, post-natal, or exercise specifically) is a fundamental skill of any health and fitness professional.
With diet and nutrition being the centre of many political debates this year, it has never been a better time to start your career in the health industry.
With many years of experience working in the health and nutrition industry, as well as running dedicated courses ourselves, we have compiled a helpful list of the different types of careers available, the typical responsibilities, as well as potential pay scales.
It may be that you currently offer personal training and you are looking to brunch into becoming a fitness and nutrition professional. Want to learn about a particular role in the nutrition and dietician industry? We have everything you need, take a look at what we’ve covered in this article.
A Nutritional Advisor is someone who uses the science of food to help clients make better choices with their food intake. Their aim is always to promote good health and prevent diseases, they learn how to implement behaviours in nutrition and lifestyle which people need to remain in good health. Nutrition Advisors are likely to have undertaken a qualification accredited by a professional body such as a Level 3, Level 4 or Level 5 Nutrition Course.
An average employed nutrition advisor earns in the region of £22,000 per year.
Whereas self-employed roles can vary considerably (£12,000 to £45,000) depending on number of clients, experience, and location. For example, an online nutrition coach may earn less but have no overheads, whereas those working in a rental space are likely to ensure additional costs which may be reflected in what they earn.
‘Nutritional Advisor’ is not a legally protected term. That means that you don’t need any formal qualification or license to use the term. This is a job you can do without a degree.
To work as a nutrition coach or advisor, the qualification will bring you the knowledge you need not only in nutrition but also in setting up a successful nutrition business.
However, what you will need is to be able to evidence an appropriate level of nutrition knowledge. The best way to do this is by taking a Level 4 Diploma in Advanced Nutrition.
Without this knowledge, you will likely struggle to attract clients or help them see results, as you do have evidence-based learning in human nutrition, unlike qualified nutrition coaches and nutritionists.
If the course is accredited, you’ll become a member of the Royal Society of Public Health (RSPH) and be able to use MRSPH after your name.
As you would expect, nutrition advisors are expected to have skills centred around helping people achieve food, health, and weight loss-related goals. This includes:
If you’re employed by the gym or fitness centre directly, they will have their own insurance, so having your own is not essential. On the other hand, if you’re self-employed, having insurance is essential. It should include:
Most employed nutrition advisors tend to work on shift patterns based around the busy hours of the gym (6am-9pm, and 5pm-8pm). This provides flexibility, but can also mean early mornings and late nights. Similar hours also apply to freelance/self-employed roles.
At its best, the work of a nutrition advisor can make a huge difference in clients’ lives.
On the other hand, it can also involve a lot of frustration when trying to get difficult clients to change longstanding bad eating habits.
Nutrition advisors can progress into nutritionist roles through further education. Alternatively they can start their own business.
A Nutritionist is someone who works in non-clinical settings and uses the science of food to help clients make better choices with their food intake. Their aim is always to promote good health and prevent diseases
An average employed nutritionist earns in the region of £25,000 per year, but salaries can increase up to £35,000 with enough years’ experience.
Self-employed roles can vary considerably (£12,000 to £45,000) depending on number of clients, experience and location.
Nutritionist is not a legally protected term, meaning that theoretically there are no qualifications or licences required to use the term.
However, in modern practice, a nutritionist is usually someone who has studied at degree level (BSc) or higher, and is a Registered Nutritionist (RNutr) through the UK Voluntary Register of Nutritionists (UKVRN).
If you’re employed by a health centre, charity, or education centre directly, they will have their own insurance so having your own is not essential.On the other hand, if you’re self-employed, having insurance is essential. It should include:
Employed nutritionists work a variety of hours. Some work a typical 9am to 5pm, whereas others work earlier mornings and/or later nights. Occasional weekend work is not unusual, especially for delivering workshops or seminars. This is similar for freelance/self-employed nutritionists.
At its best, the work of a nutritionist can make a huge difference in clients’ lives.
On the other hand, it can also involve a lot of frustration when trying to get difficult clients to change longstanding bad eating habits.
Nutritionists can progress into Dietician roles through further education. Alternatively, they can start their own business.
Dietitians work in clinical settings to assess, diagnose and treat diet-related and nutritional problems. They also raise awareness of the link between food and health at both an individual and wider public-health level.
Dietician salaries in the UK are governed by NHS pay brackets, which range from £24,907 to £44,503 depending on experience.
Private dietician salaries (non-NHS) may be significantly higher, but there isn’t enough information publicly available to put an exact figure on paper.
‘Dietician’ is a legally protected term. You must have a relevant approved degree in dietetics and be registered with the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) to use the title of Registered Dietician (RD). You cannot use this title without the appropriate degree and registration.
As you would expect, dieticians are expected to have skills centred around solving complex nutrition-related health problems. This includes:
Since dieticians will often be balancing a demanding caseload. They need to be extremely well-organised, meticulous record keepers, as well as deeply caring, empathetic people.
Moreover, even as a registered dietician you’re significantly more likely to be taken seriously by the people you advise if you’re in good health yourself.
If you’re employed by a health centre, charity, or education centre directly, they will have their own insurance so having your own is not essential. On the other hand, if you’re self-employed, having insurance is essential. It should include:
Most NHS roles are a typical 37.5-hour week, usually built around the 9am to 5pm working hours. However, overtime is common, and caseloads often demand more work than initially expected.
At its best, the work of a dietician can make a huge difference in patients’ lives and in the health of the entire country. On the other hand, it can also be emotionally difficult dealing with patients with complex problems.
Dieticians can progress up the NHS pay scale into more senior management roles. Alternatively, they can move into private practice, perhaps even starting their own consultancy.
