| Nutritionists
have a healthy regard for food and its life-sustaining properties.
They are primarily concerned with the prevention and treatment
of illnesses through proper dietary care. Nutritionists evaluate
the diets of patients and clients suffering from medical disorders
and suggest ways of fighting various health problems by modifying
the intake of certain food items.
As one nutritionist puts it, It's basically all about balance
. . . the older you get the more you begin to understand the importance
of balance in your life and your diet is no exception.
Hypertension, diabetes, and obesity are some of the common health
problems that nutritionists work to alleviate.
Through education and research, they also promote sensible eating
habits in communities, schools, hospitals, prisons, clinics, and
nursing homes. Like all other health professionals, nutritionists
are motivated by a concern to improve people's quality of life.
Food manufacturers, advertisers, marketers, and some enlightened
restaurateurs employ nutritionists to organize, develop, analyze,
test, and prepare meals that are low in fat and cholesterol and
virtually devoid of chemical additives.
Nutritionists usually specialize in one of three major areas of
practice: Clinical, community, or administrative management. Clinical
nutritionists service the needs of clients who are institutionalized.
They develop, implement, and maintain nutritional programs for
those in hospitals, nursing homes, retirement communities, daycare
centers, and prisons.
Before proposing or implementing any dietary program, nutritionists
must consult with doctors or other health professionals to ensure
that medical and dietary needs are optimized.
Community nutritionists are an integral part of health clinics,
clubs, agencies, and HMOs. They advise individuals and groups on
the nutritional practices that will promote good health. They also
structure and recommend diet plans for whole families, often including
guides to the correct preparation of meals and shopping for the
right foods.
Meal planning and preparation on a large scale, such as for a
school district, requires the careful and knowing supervision of
administrative or management nutritionists. Their responsibilities
include preparing food budgets, purchasing food, ensuring that
health and safety codes are strictly observed, and maintaining
records and writing reports.
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