How Much Does a Nutritionist Cost Per Month?

A nutritionist is in demand nowadays as people are more concerned about their lifestyle. It is not only on the type of food they eat, but people tend to be meticulous on their fitness goals as days go by. Nutritionists, like other health professionals, have finished at least 4 years of schooling, completed the required number of hours in internship and gained post graduate programs. They are experts in this field and it is only fair for clients to follow their advice and health plan to the last detail. This article discusses what a nutritionist does and how much they earn on a monthly basis in the US.

What is a Nutritionist?

A nutritionist is an expert in the field of food, nutrition and health. They are professionals who help provide direction on living healthy with good nutrition even if clients have dietary restrictions. Their job is indeed very critical as they aim to render their services to clients who have nutritional imbalance or to put simply, those who are not eating healthy.

The road to becoming a nutritionist is not that paved at all. People who want to become nutritionists must have a solid science background such as nutrition, chemistry, biology, dietetics or nutrition to start with. Though a degree is not required, it will be of great help for a person’s career to take on these courses. Employers hire nutritionists who have more board certifications and course work as well. Therefore, most clients go for nutritionists who have a bachelor’s degree.

Earning an undergraduate program focusing on the sciences is a great start for a person who wants to be a nutritionist. A bachelor’s degree can be done in four years and towards the end of the program, they need to accomplish an internship program before graduation. With regards to licensing and certification, this depends on the requirements dictated by the country. People who want to become licensed nutritionists need to take a series of exams, as well as special certifications and training to update their credentials along the way.

To earn such credentials, you would need the following to become a full-fledged nutritionist:

1. Graduate from a reputable and accredited bachelor’s degree
2. Finish a supervised practice or training program
3. Successfully pass a country’s national exam for nutritionists
4. Complete the required continuing education requirements for nutritionists

Some people choose to do further studies by earning a master’s degree which adds two full years of schooling which may focus on important courses such as molecular biology, statistics, medical nutrition therapy or public health. A PhD on Nutrition may include coursework related to research and advanced nutrition.

Of course, not all nutritionists have the same career paths afterwards. Some prefer to do private practice while some want to go into teaching about nutrition. Those who want to go into practice would need equipment such as bioelectric impedance and hydrostatic weighing machines, glucometers, and calorimeters. Nutritionists invest a lot of their life into this career and it’s very humbling for them to see health improvement in their clients.

Importance of Hiring A Nutritionist

Many people may think that what nutritionists do is simply looking into the food that we eat, but it is actually more than that. With years of rigid study and training, nutritionists see to it that a person’s overall health and nutrition condition is great. By hiring a nutritionist, you will learn what specific diet to take – be it the vegetarian, keto, or the famous Atkins. These professionals use their expertise in crafting a nutrition care plan suited for you to achieve your fitness goals.

Create personal health plan

With a nutritionist, you will have a customized health plan based on your own body. This means that you will undergo nutrition counseling in which a nutritionist will check your body makeup and lifestyle habits. This also includes medical history and fitness routines. When all information is jotted down, they use their expertise in giving a specific health plan for you to follow. You will then receive a tailored approach on how to eat and live healthy as opposed to doing self-research on diet books and the internet. Remember, not all nutrition trends work on different types of bodies.

More than just a fad diet

Since nutritionists follow the correct and appropriate nutritional needs of your body, they will not try to win you by giving what is popular online. It does not work that way. Trending diets found on social media or online are not 100% effective to everyone. Professionals such as registered dieticians and nutritionists will instead find the best diet fit for your health needs and lifestyle.

Helps achieve fitness goals in life

Nutritionists do not only help people who have imbalanced nutrition, they also offer their services to those who are planning to lose weight or build muscles. Nutritionists help create an effective fitness routine aside from the usual workout personal trainers make for clients.

To determine nutrient deficiency

If you are the type of person who has allergies or specific dietary restrictions, it is best to hire a nutritionist. Nutritionists consider everything before creating a health plan for you. They can even check and spot for nutrient deficiencies even if you feel that you are eating well. People who have chronic diseases such as Diabetes Mellitus can reach out to nutritionists to help manage symptoms through eating the right type of food.

Helps create a sustainable relationship with diet

The great thing about nutritionists is that they give legit advice and support when it comes to choosing and maintaining a specific diet. They encourage clients to have a healthy eating behavior which then contributes to a better lifestyle as a whole. They give practical strategies such as smart grocery shopping, journaling and even mindful eating. With nutritionists, you are able to improve the look of the body, sustain a healthy lifestyle and even boost self-confidence.

Types of Nutritionists

Nutritionists have the opportunity to specialize in the field best suited for them. There are many aspects of nutrition they can enter and focus such as:

1. Sports Nutrition

People who want to help out athletes may venture into this field of study. Sports nutritionists use their expertise to devise a nutrition plan that helps improve performance and boost an athlete’s immune system.

2. Pediatric Nutrition

For those who want to specialize in children, this field allows them to spot deficiencies and promote proper nutrition. They are fully responsible in encouraging children to eat healthy food based on preliminary health assessments.

3. Holistic Nutrition

Being a holistic nutritionist means to use natural food and products instead of the usual medical treatments. People who specialize in this area educate clients about the cost or benefit of taking in unprocessed, fresh and plant-based meals. This is then applied in managing chronic nutritional deficiencies associated with lifestyle problems.

4. Oncology Nutrition

This field is highly specialized in the sense that oncology nutritionists handle cancer patients directly in terms of nutrition. Cancer patients receive different treatments on a regular basis and it’s the job of the nutritionist to ensure that they are getting the right amount of nutrients every day.

5. Registered dietitian

A registered dietitian nutritionist has met all professional requirements set by the governing body in the field. They can provide health and nutrition advice on a more specialized level as compared to a nutritionist.

The Monthly Rate of a Nutritionist

Nutritionists are in demand in most regions of the world as people have become more conscious with their health through the years. Thus, nutritionists update their credentials regularly to provide quality  services to clients. In the US, nutritionists earn an average of $4,900 on a monthly basis. Most charge approximately $30 per hour to different clients on a long-term basis because of personalized health plans.

Rates also depend on the type of specialty a nutritionist has or gained through the years. The rate also varies on location, credentials acquired and years of experience. Here are the rates of nutritionists specializing on different fields:

Sports Nutritionist : $4,500

Dietitian : $5,300

Prenatal Nutritionist : $6,000

Senior Nutritionist : $6,400

Functional Nutritionist : $8,600

A Nutritionist Guides to a Healthy You

Eating can be a great pastime but knowing the right food to eat is better in terms of living a healthy lifestyle. Being knowledgeable about nutrition and the nutritional values is important in staying fit and healthy. This can be accomplished if you consult with a seasoned nutritionist here at our medical spa. Be educated about the best type of food for your body. Learn about the recommended vitamins and supplements you need to live a healthy life. Our nutritionist will create a healthy meal plan tailored to your health needs.

If you wish to consult and schedule an appointment with a nutritionist, you may contact Solea Medical Spa & Beauty Lounge at 305-932-2555.