The onset of the Covid-19 pandemic has undoubtedly taught us the essence of ‘health is wealth’. And nearly two years later, the world is still dealing with the aftermath, which has made people extremely health-conscious.
Also, if we look at the bright side, many young individuals and, for that matter, middle-aged people are leaning towards pursuing healthcare as a profession. More so, be a contributing factor to the health sector somehow.
Trust me, it is never too late to start learning and educating others. And, you need not be a doctor to impart awareness on health. You can be a nutritionist, fitness trainer, health expert, holistic professional, or dietician.
And, if you’re inclined towards nutrition and health, then this speciality of healthcare has its own set of benefits that contribute to social well-being. But first, you must know these five core things:
1. Get to know ‘nutrition’ first.
Yes, learning nutritional science requires a zillion effort. Although a certified science background is not required, a fundamental understanding of science is needed because many scientific concepts will be covered once you explore this field.
- Start by reading health-related books, newspaper articles, and magazine columns.
- After you’ve finished reading them, do some research on the knowledge you’ve gathered.
- Before beginning nutritional research, seek the advice of a health professional.
- Attend health webinars to increase your expertise and confidence.
- If you have the financial means, consider enrolling in a Diploma in Nutrition programme as a foundation for further studies.
2. Add credibility to your profession.
There can be confusion as to which course should one go for? I can understand. It can be daunting to switch from pursuing core medicine to a speciality like this. But if you’re passionate about choosing nutrition and dietetics as your field, then you can easily pursue a Bachelor’s degree in the field.
Getting accreditation adds more value to your professional career. You can even go for a diploma in nutrition and dietetics or a certificate program.
3. Create your self-care regime first.
Being in any health profession demands self-discipline.
You should be aware of current health trends and have a unique path to connect with the audience. Just set apart from the traditional way of nutrition!
Moreover, you should decide on one field to focus on — for example, clinical dietitian, public health nutritionist, health coach etc.
4. Nutritionists should know the art of creativity.
Nutritionists don’t have to be nerds or geeks anymore! Maintaining social media presence by engaging people with your thoughts, ethics, way of living, exciting nutrition stuff is the key. For example: Share your knowledge of mouth-watering yet healthy food recipes.
5. Be a counteraction to mental health.
Mental health is becoming one of the leading issues nowadays. In addition to this, poor nutrition and lack of exercise may end up causing major health issues.
Normally, people don’t go running to a doctor for this. They need someone who can guide them to manage their nutritional intake, make lifestyle changes, etc. That’s where a Nutritionist or Dietician comes into play.
Being accessible is the key to launching a successful career. There can be times when you might be overwhelmed by pouring questions or the lack of it. Don’t be disheartened. Sometimes, people themselves have no idea what’s causing them trouble. So be patient with them.
Your first response should be to listen to their problems and design a plan that boosts their lifestyle and health as a whole.
So, if you have the knack to be an aspiring nutritionist, then voila! These techniques could be your foundation. They are ways to people’s hearts and a step closer to success in this profession.
