If you’re interested in the relationship between training & nutrition and how you can educate the public by teaching them the importance of healthy eating and exercise, you should become a nutritionist!
Demand for nutritionists is growing, making this the perfect time to launch or advance your career.
Are you ready to get started? Our useful guide explains how to become a nutritionist in a few simple steps!
Contents
What Does a Nutritionist Do?
The main role of a nutritionist is to educate clients and the public on diet and nutrition.
It’s important to mention, nutritionists and dietitians aren’t the same. Nutritionists can only provide general diet and lifestyle advice while dietitians can work with clients with medical illnesses.
Nutritionists can work full-time in both public and private contracted roles. You can also become self-employed, working with your own clients 1-on-1.
Here’s a brief overview of the nutritionist job description:
Step-by-step guide to Becoming a Nutritionist
How Much Can a Nutritionist Earn?
According to Prospects, nutritionists starting salaries can be anywhere between £22,000 to £28,000 per year in the public sector. For employed nutritionists, the average base salary reported by Indeed is £28,059.
Those working in the private sector often earn slightly more than those in the public sector, ranging between £26,000 to £32,000.
However, factors such as number of hours worked, location, and experience all influence salary and earnings. For example, nutritionists in London usually earn more than those working elsewhere.
Of course, experience and further qualifications give you access to higher paying jobs and progression opportunities. Nutritionists with plenty of experience can earn between £34,000 to £68,000.
For those who are self-employed, you have access to a wider pool of clients which allows you to offer additional services. You can also charge more by marketing yourself as a specialist if you achieve further qualifications.
How Much Does it Cost to Become a Nutritionist?
The price of nutrition courses vary greatly, from free to £9,535 at university degree level. However, exactly how much it will cost you to become a qualified nutritionist depends on who your training provider is and factors such as:
Although free nutrition courses do exist, check out our guide on why they may not always be the best option: FREE Nutrition Courses: Are They Worth It?
Career Opportunities for a Nutritionist
Now you know what it takes to become a qualified nutritionist, it’s time to talk about your career options!
By beginning your career in an employed role, you have the perfect opportunity to gain experience while earning a fixed income.
Once you have an established client base, you have the option to go freelance. This provides much more flexibility and the opportunity of an unlimited earning potential.
By having an internationally-recognised nutrition qualification as well as industry experience, the options for what you can do next are endless!
You can consider starting a nutrition business, either online or in person, and gain further qualifications to expand your pool of clients and the services you offer.
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Frequently Asked Questions
To become a nutritionist in the UK, you’ll need to gain a Level 4 Sports Nutrition qualification. Employers will ask for this when you apply for certain jobs.
You should also check the qualification you decide on is internationally recognised, regulated by Ofqual, and awarded by an official awarding body such as Focus Awards.
As stated by Prospects, the starting salary of a nutritionist can be anywhere between £22,000 to £28,000 per year when working in the public sector. For employed nutritionists, the average base salary provided by Indeed is £28,059.
Those working in the private sector often earn slightly more than the public sector, ranging between £26,000 to £32,000.
Experience and further qualifications give you access to higher paying jobs and progression opportunities. Nutritionists with plenty of experience can earn between £34,000 to £68,000. Those in cities such as London can earn more as salaries are higher there.
Our nutrition courses are delivered entirely online so students can study at their own pace with no set deadlines. However, students take an average of 12 weeks to complete the course around existing commitments.
To enrol on a nutritionist course, you need to be at least 16 years old.
You do not need a degree to become a sports nutritionist as a qualification such as the Level 4 Sports Nutrition Course is sufficient to work with clients.
However, you will need a degree if you choose to become a dietician as this allows you to provide medical nutrition therapy. Find out more about this with our article: What’s the Difference Between a Nutritionist and a Dietitian?
To work as a successful sports nutritionist, important skills you need include strong communication and teaching abilities, the ability to assess clients and create tailored plans, deep nutritional knowledge, and critical thinking.
See the range of skills necessary for a sports nutritionist by reading our article: The Key Skills Needed to Become a Nutritionist.
To become a certified sports nutritionist, you will need qualifications. Not only is this important for developing your knowledge when it comes to helping clients, it also builds your credibility in the industry. If applying for contracted employment, most employers will ask for your qualification.
As a qualified sports nutritionist, you can absolutely start your own business!
However, to gain experience and a regular client base, it’s a good idea to begin in a full-time role. Gaining further qualifications or combining nutrition with other services such as personal training is a great way to expand your client base.
Find out more by checking out our guide: How to Start a Sports Nutrition Business.
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