Where do dietitians work and what do they do?

Where do dietitians work

What do dietitians do?

In hospitals

• Assess and plan nutrition care for patients with cancer, kidney disease, digestive issues, malnutrition and more
• Ensure critically ill patients get the nutrition they need
• Counsel patients who need special diets for their medical condition or to support recovery, for example after surgery
• Ensure patient meals are high quality and prepared and delivered safely 

In doctor’s offices, medical clinics or in private practice
 

• Support patients who need information and guidance about food allergies, pregnancy, infant feeding, diabetes, digestive issues, heart disease, high blood pressure and more
• Provide education around healthy eating and managing health conditions to individuals or small groups
• Provide virtual or in-person nutrition care to support families, including help with meal planning, grocery shopping and challenges like ‘picky eaters’, special diets and more

In long-term care

• Assess and plan nutrition care for residents
• Plan menus, staffing and budget to provide the best nutrition for residents
• Ensure meals are prepared and delivered safely

In community health centres and public health units

• Identify health problems in the community
• Assess the nutrition needs of population groups and communities
• Plan and deliver nutrition education programs, cooking and food skills programs and school nutrition programs
• Develop nutrition education materials and tools
• Increase access to food for those with limited income, transportation or who are isolated
• Help individuals and communities stay healthy

In diabetes education centres

• Educate and counsel clients who are living with diabetes or trying to prevent diabetes

In people’s homes

• Counsel people who are housebound on special diets
• Train and educate people who are on feeding tubes
• Help families plan healthy menus

In the pharmaceutical industry

• Educate doctors, nurses, pharmacists, sales staff, and other dietitians on new products and research
• Plan and deliver continuing education opportunities for health care professionals and consumers

In the food industry

• Research and develop healthier food products
• Educate consumers on food, nutrition, and health
• Consult with marketing and foodservice associations
• Develop, promote and market food and nutrition products
• Ensure manufacturers follow regulations around food labeling, nutrition claims and food safety

In government

• Develop food and nutrition policies
• Provide strategic advice on nutrition issues for different levels of government and different ministries

In education

• Teach nutrition to students in dietetics, nursing, medicine, kinesiology, pharmacy, dentistry and more
• Mentor and train future dietitians
• Support the development of nutrition research skills

In research

• Plan and direct research projects to increase knowledge of the relationship between food, nutrition and health

In sports and recreation

• Help recreational and professional athletes get the most out of their activity
• Counsel athletes on hydration, eating for competitions and other nutrition concerns related to physical activity

In business

• Work for food and nutrition-related businesses providing expertise in product development, communications, marketing, consumer affairs and public relations
• Plan and deliver corporate wellness programs

In the media

• Write cookbooks or other nutrition-related books
• Create written content for blogs, social media, newspapers, magazines, websites and make TV appearances