Cebu City - Have you heard of Nutritionist-Dietitian professionals? Do you know what they do? Are you curious about their work? Well, this article shall give you an insight into this profession.
Nutritionist-Dietitians here in the Philippines earn their profession by getting a baccalaureate degree of Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics. BSND is a four-year degree program that teaches students the principles and procedures for the use of food for therapeutic purposes in the management of persons suffering from a certain disease. Nutrition and Dietetic students of this program are also taught techniques and management of food production, particularly the phases of the food service cycle: menu planning, purchasing, receiving, storage and issuance, pre-preparation, production, merchandising and service, food safety, and sanitation and cost control.
Subjects and curriculum of this course focus on Basic Nutrition, Nutrition in the Life Stages, Nutrition Therapy, Public Health Nutrition, Assessment of Nutritional Status, Food and Nutrition Research, and Nutrition Education. During their fourth year, BSND students are required to attend an On-the-Job Training (OJT) in hospitals, food service companies, and community health facilities. Nutrition and Dietetic students are given the opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills in an actual work setting. Usually, universities require them to submit a written report on their tasks, learning experiences, and hours rendered. Their work performance will also be evaluated by their immediate managers and will be submitted to their respective OJT coordinators. The number of hours required for foodservice, hospital dietetics, and public health nutrition is mandated by the Commission on Higher Education.
After getting a degree in Nutrition and Dietetics. graduates must need to pass the Nutritionist–Dietitian Licensure Examination. The examination is conducted by the Board of Nutrition and Dietetics under the supervision of the Professional Regulations Commission (PRC) in compliance with Republic Act No. 10862 “Nutrition and Dietetics Law of 2016”. An act of regulating the practice of Nutrition and Dietetics in the Philippines, repealing the purpose of Presidential Decree No. 1286, Known as the “Nutrition and Dietetics Decree of 1977”. The exam is conducted once a year more likely in the month of July in line with the celebration of the National Nutrition Month.
Once a professional, a Registered Nutritionist–Dietitian (RND) in the Philippines may pursue a career path in hospitals, food service companies, and community health facilities. They may apply as a clinical nutritionist dietitian, gerontological nutritionist dietitian, neonatal nutritionist dietitian, sports and fitness nutritionist, therapeutic nutritionist dietitian, or public health nutritionist - LGU nutrition action officers and nutrition program coordinators.
Registered Nutritionist-Dietitians are licensed professionals who can give you nutrition tips for optimal nutrition health. For best nutrition advice book an appointment with a professional nutritionist dietitian. They will give you the best options for your overall nutrition quality, effective diets, fitness, food quality and sanitation, and foods that are allowed and to be avoided when having a disease. As Hippocrates once said, “Let Food be thy medicine, and medicine is thy Food”. // ND II James Aaron Perez, RND
