The main responsibilities of a nutritionist center around helping clients maintain control of their physical health and improve health outcomes through providing dietary planning and educational services. However, their responsibilities are multifaceted.
Registered dietitian and professor for the College of Natural Sciences at GCU, Tabatha Stevens, explains that “a common misconception is that nutritionists only help with weight loss,” adding that “in reality, they support a wide range of health issues, from digestive disorders to sports performance and chronic disease management.” Baker adds to this, sharing that along with weight loss, nutritionists “support a wide range of goals, including digestive health, energy balance, disease prevention and even mental wellness through nutrition.”
Baker and Stevens mentioned several responsibilities that this role often includes, such as:
- Assessing clients’ dietary habits
- Create personalized meal plans
- Providing education, such as workshops or community education
- Support behavior changes
- Keeping up with new relevant research