How to become a nutrition professional in the UK
Are you considered the foodie of your friendship group? Did you love science at school and are fascinated by how food affects us? Do you find yourself offering health advice and learning about the topic for fun? If you can relate to any of these, a career in nutrition might be right for you.
In this guide, we’ll talk you through some of the main career paths as a nutrition professional, help you understand what’s needed to succeed and share resources to get you started.
What does a nutrition professional do?
Nutrition professionals use their knowledge of the science of food to help people make informed choices about what they eat. They may help clients who have specific health concerns or those who simply want to learn more about living a healthy lifestyle.
On a day-to-day basis, you could be:
- Helping clients determine which foods will provide them with the necessary nutrients.
- Discussing short and long-term goals with clients and helping set realistic expectations.
- Providing menus, recipes, and meal-planning support to clients.
- Motivating and encouraging clients to make healthier food and lifestyle choices.
- Staying updated on the latest research in the industry.
To see examples of topics you may be able to help clients with as a nutrition professional, take a look at our A-Z Health section.
The role of nutrition in our overall health and wellness is becoming strikingly clear. With research coming out regularly about the importance of different nutrients and the interplay between our gut health and our mental health, there has never been a more exciting time to pursue a career as a nutrition professional.
Understanding the different nutrition professions
In the health and wellness industry, there are several paths you can take to support people through nutrition. The most common roles you’ll likely see are nutritionists, dietitians and nutritional therapists.
Nutritionists:
- Often work in public health services, private practice, research, education or the food industry.
- Not legally regulated in the UK
- Typical salary in the UK can range between £25,000 and £40,000
While there is no legal regulation in place for nutritionists, many register with the Association for Nutrition (AfN), a UK voluntary register of nutritionists. To register, it helps to have a degree that is accredited by the AfN.
Dietitians:
- Often work in clinical settings and the NHS but can also work in corporate settings and private practice.
- Legally regulated in the UK.
- Typical salary in the UK can range between £28,000 and £80,000
The title ‘dietitian’ is legally protected in the UK, meaning that you have to register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) before using the title. To register, you must have a degree that is HCPC-approved.
The British Dietetic Association is another professional body to be aware of as it is in control of creating the curriculum for dietitians. This organisation is also the Trade Union for dietitians.
Nutritional therapists:
- Typically work in private practice, wellness clinics and as consultants.
- Not legally regulated in the UK.
- Typical salary in the UK can range between £20,000 and £50,000
Similarly to nutritionists, the role of a nutritional therapist is not legally regulated. Many people who choose this career path register with a voluntary regulatory body, such as the British Association for Nutrition and Lifestyle Medicine (BANT) and the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC). Having a diploma or degree in nutritional therapy is usually required to register with these professional bodies.
Please note: Throughout Nutritionist Resource, we will use the term 'nutrition professional' to refer to all of the above professionals, unless stated otherwise. For more information on the different types of nutrition professionals and the kind of work they do, visit our types of nutrition professionals page.
How to become a nutritionist
Get a degree in nutrition
Look for a BSc or MSc degree in nutrition or public health nutrition to start your nutrition education. If you are keen to join the AfN, ensure the degree you choose is accredited by them. Here you will learn more about the science of nutrition and how you can apply this to help people.
Gain practical experience
Having practical experience is an essential part of any service provider’s career. As a nutritionist, you may want to look for experience opportunities with food companies, public health organisations or via a university work placement.
Register with a professional body
If you have dreams of becoming a registered nutritionist, you’ll need to join the AfN. After three years of experience, you’ll be able to apply to become a registered nutritionist (RNutr).
How to become a dietitian
Get an HCPC-approved degree
The first step to becoming a dietitian is to obtain a degree in dietetics from a university that’s been accredited by the HCPC. Another route you can take if you don’t have (or aren’t able) to get a degree in dietetics is a post-graduate diploma or master’s degree in dietetics.
Find clinical placements
To gain valuable experience, you will need to undertake clinical placements. This may involve placements in the NHS or community settings. Supervision with registered dietitians is also important and will likely form part of your degree.
Register with the HCPC
To legally start practising as a dietitian, you will need to register with the HCPC once you’ve graduated.
How to become a nutritional therapist
Complete a degree or diploma in nutritional therapy
To learn about the specifics of this holistic approach to nutrition, health and wellness, look for a degree or diploma in nutritional therapy.
Build up practical experience
See how it feels working with clients and get your practical skills up to scratch working in private clinics or as a wellness consultant.
Register with a professional body
This is an additional step you may want to take. While not necessary to work as a nutritional therapist, joining a professional body like BANT or the CNHC can help you maintain ethical standards and can add credibility.
Not sure where to start with your training? We have affiliated with a number of training organisations, so exploring this list is a great place to start. If you opt to train with one of our affiliate organisations, we recommend that you check that their courses/outcomes meet your needs and expectations before starting your training, as we cannot be held responsible for any information provided by our affiliates.
Although we see they supply a relevant qualification that we can accept, a listing with us does not mean that Nutritionist Resource endorses or accredits that organisation, or every qualification offered by each organisation. Please read our terms and conditions for further information.
Setting up a private nutrition practice
If you want to start your own business and work in private practice, here are some key things to keep in mind:
What legal requirements are there?
To run your own business, you will need to register as self-employed with the HMRC and get professional indemnity insurance. This all helps ensure your business is legitimate, you are paying the right tax and that you can practice safely with insurance coverage.
Do you want to join a professional body?
For some professions registering with a professional body is necessary, for others it isn’t. If it isn’t necessary, this will be a choice for you to make. The benefits of being a member of a professional body are that they will often have codes of ethics, standards of practice and complaints procedures. This all helps to ensure professionalism and can build trust in clients. There may be other benefits too, including networking opportunities and staying informed of industry news.
What is continued professional development (CPD)?
Even after you’ve gained qualifications, it’s important to continue learning and developing your skillset. CPD involves engaging in training sessions and workshops related to nutrition and keeping your skills up-to-date and relevant.
Looking for CPD opportunities? Take a look at our events section for professionals.
How will you market your services?
To do your job and flourish as a nutrition professional, you need a steady flow of clients. Marketing your services is all about helping clients find you. This can be done in various ways, from having a website and social media presence to creating marketing content (like written articles or videos) and being listed in a directory.
Marketing is something we can help with. Once you’re qualified, you can join our directory to advertise your practice, giving clients another avenue to discover you. As well as a directory listing, you’ll gain access to our members-only marketing hub with tools and resources to promote your business, our weekly networking events, CPD opportunities and tailored advice to get the most from your profile. We also offer space for you to publish articles and any events you’re running.
Find out more about joining us and how we can support your nutrition practice.
