| Degree Required | Bachelor's degree |
| Education Field of Study | Nutrition |
| Key Responsibilities | Using nutrition and diet to improve the physical, emotional and spiritual health of clients |
| Licensure | Required in most states; prerequisites for licensure vary by state |
| Job Growth (2020-2030) | 11% for all nutritionists and dieticians* |
| Average Salary (2020) | $63,090 for all nutritionists and dieticians* |
Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
What Does a Holistic Nutritionist Do?
While many nutritionists may work on a patient's diet and eating habits, they are not dieticians. The American Dietetic Association oversees and grants registered dietician (RD) status for those who meet the qualifications. In contrast, holistic nutritionists generally do not have to be registered and have different educational paths that dieticians do. Specifically, holistic nutritionists use food diets to improve the physical, emotional and spiritual health of a patient.
A holistic nutritionist works with patients who have chronic illnesses and other medical conditions, balancing the vitamins, minerals, acids, proteins and other elements of food to relieve symptoms. Like other holistic medical practices, holistic nutritionists focus on the patient's lifestyle choices versus inherited or bodily ailments. Holistic nutrition is an individualized science that takes into account the entire body to formulate a healthy diet.
What Is the Job Outlook?
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), job growth for all nutritionists and dieticians is expected to increase by about 11% from 2020-2030, which is much faster than average growth (www.bls.gov). Out of this category, nutritionists with specialized training and more advanced degrees can expect better opportunities. Increasing emphasis on disease prevention and an overall aging population are main contributors to this positive employment growth.
The BLS also reported that nutritionists - including holistic nutritionists - earned an average annual income of $63,090, as of 2020. The greatest number of nutritionists was employed in California, and nutritionists working there earned a much higher salary, at an average $81,070 per year.
What Kind of Education and Training Do I Need?
Becoming a holistic nutritionist requires at least a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition or a related field. The types of degrees vary widely. Most degrees in nutrition include courses in chemistry, food nutrition, psychology, metabolism and biology.
Additionally, public practicing nutritionists need to be state licensed, to protect consumers from fraudulent practices. Licensing requirements vary by state but generally include filling out an application, submitting relevant school or training transcripts and paying a fee.
Some careers related to holistic nutritionists are health educators, community health workers and registered nurses (RNs). These professions typically require a bachelor's degree, although some health educators may need to earn a specialty credential and community health workers may enter the field with a high school diploma and short training. Health educators and community health workers both work as nutrition teachers and help develop nutritional strategies, collect data and work with groups like the aged. RNs take a hands-on approach to the health of patients in a hospital or home setting, and the job requires a bachelor's degree and licensure.
