Be a food advisor

By Ranjan K Baruah

Life diseases are increasing in many parts of the world, including India. Most of the people are leading a fast life. Work pressure and new trends of employment are indirectly affecting our health. At this juncture we are concerned about diet and more im0portantly balanced diet.

Balanced diet means good health that leads to positive things around us. We might be wondering about the connection of diet and career. Dietetics is the science of managing food and nutrition to promote health.

From a normal day to the time when we are sick or people are admitted in hospital, dieticians or nutritionists play an important role. Dieticians or nutritionists advise people on diets and food habit which keep them healthy in life. Dietetics is related to food management, nutrition is related to promotion of health.

It not only deals with individuals or patient but there is more demand of this career option these days. Dieticians or nutritionists are hired in many places like in hospitals, hotels, educational institutes, etc. Organisations involved in food product manufacture use the services of a nutritionist or dietician to plan and research new products. The nutritionists also have excellent prospects in the mass media where top of priority is given to disseminating vital information on healthy living.

There are many courses like B.Sc. in Clinical Nutrition, Dietetics and Catering Management, B.Sc. Food and Nutrition, B.Sc. Food Science, Nutrition and Food Quality Control, B.Sc. Nutrition and Dietetics. There are also certificate courses like Certificate Course in Food and Nutrition, Certificate Course in Nutrition and Dietetics, etc. There are master level courses as well as short term courses like diploma, post graduate diploma.

Career opportunities can be found in government sector, sports and health clubs, teaching, research and development, some might also get opportunities to work with various media houses, gyms and slimming centres.

Some can start their own venture as consultant or start their own enterprise related to the field. The National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad, is a premier institute under Indian Council of Medical Research, an autonomous body under the Ministry of Health and Family welfare, Government of India that offers regular nutrition training courses every year.

As lifestyle has changed or is changing, this career brings tremendous opportunities for the youth from the region. One should not thing that it limits to only people who are sick but there are tremendous potential of this career opportunities. As people are becoming concern about health so this area shall bring more options and opportunities in near future.

Updates

Project Udaan for Girls: Girls students currently enrolled in class XI in PCM from government schools /KVs/JNVs or CBSE affiliated private schools may enroll for Project Udaan for girls to prepare for admission in premier centrally funded engineering colleges/ technical institutes in India .  CBSE provides free of cost tutorials, lectures and study material to selected girl students on the basis of merit and prescribed eligibility criteria. Last date is 7th August.

Grant for Life Science: BIRAC-BIG Scheme (Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council -Biotechnology Ignition Grant Scheme) designed for Individuals/ entrepreneurs & Academicians and start-ups to establish proof-of-concept data for their exciting ideas in the field of life sciences. The grant amount is Rupees 50 lakhs for 18 months and Guwahati Biotech Park is providing R & D platform to start the entrepreneurial venture under this schemes and others. Last date for sending application is 16th August.

(Ranjan K Baruah is a career mentor and can be reached at [email protected] or 98640 55558 for any career related queries)