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Diet & Nutrition
It looks like McDonalds, Burger King and other fast food emporiums may have to change the way that they do business. The fast food providers may soon have to put healthy warning on their burgers, warning patrons that eating at the toadstools too often can damage your health. Already, McDonalds in France has already launched a campaign urging customers not to eat too much of its food.
But do you really want things to get that far? Do you want to be rolled into court to tell the judge that your consumption of 12 Big Macs for breakfast every day for eight years inestimably damaged your health? Why not take a course in diet and nutrition instead - its better for your health and it might even lead to a new career…
If you choose to do a short course in diet and nutrition, then you will learn about the right things to eat to keep yourself (and the people you cook for) healthy. You will learn about good eating habits and what menus to prepare to ensure a balanced diet. The science bit will also be explained.
You will learn about:
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By the end of your course, you should a have a clear idea of the basic principles of nutrition and their effect upon your health. And if your appetite is whetted by your foray into the world of nutrition, then you could consider taking things further and qualifying as a dietician?
If you think that 'dietician' is a fancy name for a Weight Watchers consultant, then prepare to be surprised. They can be employed anywhere from supermarkets to prisons. Public interest in healthy eating has swelled their number and they are in high demand in all sectors of society.
Clinical dieticians work in institutions such as nursing homes or hospitals, where they help prevent and treat illnesses by encouraging healthy eating habits. After consulting with doctors and the patient's family, they scientifically evaluate the patient's eating regime and suggest diet modifications. This can include suggestions such as less salt for those with high blood pressure or reduced sugar and fat intake for those who are overweight.
Dieticians also work in facilities such as company canteens, prisons and schools, hiring and training food service workers, enforcing safety regulations and purchasing food. They can also set up their own practice, taking clients and advising them on personalised nutrition plan.
If you do decide to become a dietician, you should bear in mind that your children will probably hate you for a time. Spaghetti and Big Macs will be a world that is forever ever closed to them, and their birthday parties will consist of carrot sticks covered with hundreds and thousands. If you think that you can put up with their pitiful keening, then perhaps dietetics is the career area for you.
To become a fully-fledged dietician, you will have to take a degree course and unfortunately part-time options are few and far between. However, the University of Ulster allows you to take their degree in human nutrition and dietetics part-time. The University of Cork also offers an MSc in nutrition. You can take this course if you already have a relevant honours degree (at least Second Class Honours Grade 2) in a biology-related subject. The MSc can also be taken on a part-time basis.
The course will consist of a mixture of academic and practical modules. Practical skills taught include communication and interview skills, writing techniques and management and many colleges also organise work placements for their students. Academic subjects covered include human dietetics and nutrition, microbiology, medicine, biochemistry, physiology and food and catering studies. You may also study sociology and psychology - after all, a fat man and his cream horn are not easily parted.
So what will life be like after qualification? Paula Mee is a nutrition adviser with Superquinn. She decided to enter the world of dietetics because of a fundamental interest in food and nutrients and how they affect health and susceptibility to disease. As for her present position, that was all down to Mr. Fergal Quinn.
| "The prospect of working in a small, but very innovative company attracted me - despite the fact that a 'fish out of water' sprung to mind when I thought of the underdeveloped role of the dietician/nutritionist in the retail sector. However, the desire to move into the commercial world was stronger than the desire to work in clinical dietetics and Feargal Quinn's commitment to excellence in fresh food and customer service really grabbed me." |
Apart from Fergal's unquestionable allure, Paula really loves her job:
| "It's a lot better than I thought it would be. It's terribly fast moving, dynamic, varied and interesting… There are lots of opportunities to evolve and diversify the nutrition function in retailing and it's great." |
There has never been a better time to become a dietician. Wages are good, jobs are opening up and waistlines are expanding. But you don't have to go the whole hog to get benefit out of a nutrition course - even an eight-week course can help you to start a healthy new regime. If you think that you could stand the heat in the kitchen, put down that breakfast roll and choose a nightcourse near you...
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