PROFESSION

Nutritionist

Name:
Lindsey Ormond

Degree:
PgDip Sports Nutrition.
MSc Public Health Nutrition.
BSc (Hons) Physiology,
Sports Science and Nutrition

Employer:
GlaxoSmithKline

Typical Day
Advantages
Qualifications
Resources

A day in the life of a...
Nutritionist

Job Description
A Sports Nutritionist provides nutritional education and services to athletes. They consult with athletes to help them develop optimal eating habits. Nutritionists design menus, recommend vitamins and supplements, and provide nutritional advice for athletes.

A day in a life of a Sports Nutritionist
Working in research and development for Lucozade Sport involves tasks such as collating scientific evidence to support product claims and advising product development on the levels of specific nutrients that should to be included in products. I investigate the science behind new ingredients and whether they could be beneficial in our range, as well as helping in the set up and management of studies which we commission to universities. My freelance work includes articles for fitness professional publications, nutrition lectures and advise for recreational athletes.

3 great things about being a Nutritionist

1.	It is great when people report back that the products which you’ve helped the development of are excellent, or that the advice you gave them helped them achieve their goals, especially when it comes to challenges such as running a marathon

2.	Part of the job is keeping up-to-date with current research, so you know what’s going on and what developments have been made

3.	It’s handy when I need to plan my own nutrition for endurance events

3 not so great things about being a Sports Nutritionist

1.	As with many aspects of science, there is not a definitive answer. A lot of the time you end up with more questions than answers

2.	Reading, writing and thinking about food all day can make you hungry!

3.	When meeting new people (especially at a party), they always want to ask lots of questions about weird and wonderful foods they have heard about in the media, which is fine for the first five minutes but can get a bit tiresome if they keep you there for an hour!

Qualifications recommended you gain

A-levels in subjects which will give you firm basic knowledge in relevant areas and those required for entry into a degree in nutrition or dietetics (check course requirements). If you go down the nutrition degree route, ensure you pick a course which is recognised by the Nutrition Society (website below) as this will lead you to registration with them. Employees will expect you to be registered with the Nutrition Society, so it is important. If you go down the dietetics route, you will be registered with the British Dietetic Association.

3 opportunities and experiences you recommend people gain?

1.	Do voluntary work with nutritionists and/or dieticians. It can be difficult to get but keep trying. It will help you to gain an insightful view into the day-to-day life in the job

2.	Play sport. Any sport. Health benefits aside, it will give you a better understanding of challenges athletes face around fuelling their performance and general attitudes to nutrition from athletic groups

3.	Do voluntary work with local sports/at sporting events