Today, we see it all over social media: fitness progress photos, 15-second snippets of workout routines, and the infamous food pictures. Nutrition and healthy living is that new thing everyone is talking about.
A career in nutrition doesn't mean that you work at a gym for the rest of your life, nor does it mean your sole role is to tell people what they should and shouldn't eat. It offers opportunities in a number of areas'hospitals, education, and long-term care included'with responsibilities in disease prevention, research, business, and even journalism.
Post-secondary institutions nationwide are also well aware of what's happening in the industry. Offering a postgrad education in nutrition, these programs can get you one step closer to becoming a full-fledged registered dietitian and an expert in all things food.
Applied nutrition
The University of Guelph's master of applied nutrition (MAN) program takes students through a clinical nutrition assessment course, a practicum course, and a final research project.
The research project course is for the students to have small research experience while they're here doing the master of applied nutrition program, says Alexia Prescod, coordinator of the program. And to become eligible to write the registered dietitian exam, students in the MAN program are required to take part in the project.
With busy schedules over the 12-month program, Prescod admits the workload can be challenging. You'll be switching hats between being in an academic environment and the work environment, she says about the placements, but shares her students' enthusiasm for the opportunity. They're so excited and intrigued by applied nutrition that they want to take different opportunities. What I see from students in September and July is they really blossom both professionally and personally.   
Foods & nutrition
Introducing the new cohort of 15 students this past September, Brescia University College (a division of the University of Western) offers its students in the master of science foods and nutrition program two options: thesis or internship.
The internship stream is designed for graduates who want to have a master's degree and, at the same time, do their internship, says Alicia C. Garcia, chair of the Division of Food and Nutritional Sciences, and director of the graduate program in foods and nutrition. On the other hand, the master's thesis stream is for those who are already registered dieticians but want to advance or upgrade their degree to a master's.
To get closer to becoming a registered dietitian, entry-level competencies are required and students in the internship stream are able to acquire those skills through their placements. Kayla Glynn, internship coordinator for the program, says that communication, collaboration, and professionalism are key competencies to be successful in the field.
Key areas of dietetic practice are in nutrition care in a clinical setting, public health (community setting), and management, she lists. They'll do rotations in a variety of organizations.
For thesis students, the learning never stops in what Garcia describes as a win-win situation for both students and employers. The registered dieticians are using this time to advance their degrees and, at the same time, doing work they can apply back and give back to their home companies. Their research projects are basically things they can use when they go full-time back to their work again.
Photo: Tij/Thinkstock