Dietitian

Dt. Seema Saini

MSc (Food and Nutrition), Consultant Dietitian
Nutritional Medicine Specialist

Dietitians provide food and nutrition information, and support people to improve their health. They provide advice on nutrition-related matters. Dietitians can also change diets to help manage conditions such as:

  • diabetes
  • heart disease
  • overweight and obesity
  • cancer
  • food allergies and intolerances.

Dietitians work in a range of fields

Dietitians work across many different fields, including:

  • Patient care – dietitians in hospitals and nursing homes educate patients and family members on eating well. They work with them to make sure that diets meet individual needs. They develop menus to meet patients’ nutritional needs. For example, they adapt menus for people recovering from illness or surgery, or with health conditions like:
    • diabetes
    • heart disease
    • swallowing difficulties
    • poor appetite
  • Private practice and consultancy – dietitians work with individuals, groups and organisations to provide dietary advice. They run health and nutrition education programs and seminars. They may also provide nutrition and health information to the media.
  • Community and public health – dietitians work to improve eating habits, health and wellbeing in the community. (They often work in community health centres). They also work at state or national levels to influence food policy and improve access to better food choices for everyone.
  • Food industry – in the food industry, dietitians work to:
    • improve the nutritional quality of foods
    • develop nutrition education campaigns
    • promote food safety
    • work with food law and regulations.
  • Research and teaching – dietitians investigate the links between food and health. They do this to learn how diet can promote good health and prevent disease. Dietitians also teach in universities.
  • Sports nutrition – dietitians help athletes, sporting clubs, children and people interested in fitness to eat better. They do this to help them achieve their sporting and fitness goals. For example, they may give advice on how to achieve peak sporting performance, or improve energy and activity levels.