You often hear about the profession of nutritionist, but you don't know what it really is or what studies you need to do to be able to practise it? A nutritionist is a real doctor. Therefore, you have to study medicine before you can call yourself a nutritionist.
What is the role of the nutritionist?
Long before talking about the training to become a nutritionist, it is important to know the basics of the profession. A nutritionist is a health professional whose job is to treat diet-related diseases. Not only does he or she help patients stay in shape, but he or she also helps them fight diseases such as obesity and diabetes. He is the one who accompanies people with eating disorders, which are generally of psychological origin. It should be pointed out that nutritionists are often confused with dieticians, whereas dieticians are simply technicians. He has not studied medicine.
Studies to become a nutritionist
To be able to practice this profession, you have to complete the 8 years of studies to become a doctor. Then, to carry out a DU of nutrition. The doctor can complete his training with a DESC if he wishes, but after the DU in nutrition, he can already practice as a nutritionist. It is therefore necessary to declare oneself a nutritionist after only 2 years of medical training or by following some other training. The nutritionist can work in his or her own practice or in a hospital environment. He or she will have to screen for diseases, like his or her medical colleagues and take care of sick people. However, his or her specialty is the treatment of nutrition-related illnesses. As a nutrition specialist, he or she can prescribe medicines as well as opt for natural treatments based on the body's natural ability to heal itself.
Other points concerning the profession of nutritionist
In addition to the training to become a nutritionist, the person who wants to practice the profession will need to have a sense of listening. Like any good doctor, they must know how to establish a relationship of trust between themselves and their patients. Not all patients are the same and each individual has his or her own specific character. Although self-control and patient care are taught during the first years of study, a person who does not have an innate sense of listening will find it difficult to practice the profession of nutritionist properly. Based on the discussion with the patient, the nutritionist establishes an intervention program. If he has not listened well to the patient's needs, how will he be able to help him?