Why Become a Registered Nutritionist?

Gaining the public's trust

With an increasing number of people claiming to be nutritional experts, and with so much information in the media about nutrition and diet, it is clear that many people claiming expertise are actually 'faking it.' If you've ever gnawed your fist as an untrained 'nutritional consultant' is wheeled out on television or the pages of a newspaper to give dodgy less-than-scientific advice you probably know what we're talking about!

This presents the profession with a problem that has faced many professions before. How to prove your expertise and credentials to differentiate yourself from people who might even lack any qualifications? It is one of the key ways to gain trust from potential clients and generate business from your chosen trade.

With the public getting any amount of misleading nutritional or dietary advice from people, it is also crucial for genuine nutritionists to find ways to enable the public and businesses to access good quality, valid advice and information.

Protecting the reputation of nutritionists

Until the term 'nutritionist' or 'nutrition consultant' becomes a legally-protected term in the same way that 'doctor' or 'lawyer' has, the best way to get this trust is to register with the Nutrition Society.

The Nutrition Society is dedicated to promoting good practice, through accredited training schemes, developing a code of ethics and pursuing legal protection for the term 'nutritionist'.

By becoming a registered nutritionist, you are helping to develop these goals and committing yourself to upholding good standards, offering the best, most up to date advice to your clients and continuing your own personal development.

Developing career opportunities

Like many fields in the health industry, the number of people training and qualifying as nutritionists has boomed in recent years. Partly this is due to the increased career opportunities that are opening as people and businesses come to recognise the importance of nutrition and diet. It is probably fair to say, however, that the number of openings is exceeded by the number of clients and differentiating yourself from the thousands of newly qualified nutritionists is vital. Becoming a registered nutritionist is an obvious step to put you apart from many of your peers.