As the saying goes, “health is wealth,” and keeping our body and mind healthy is necessary to achieve our full potential.
Proper management of the food we eat and being aware of the right kind of food should be a major concern. Food and nutrition courses provide a detailed perspective on the science of nutrition, focusing on food, health, wellness and the environment. The course also deals with food processing, production and preservation.
Turn your passion for health, nutrition and good food into a rewarding job that improves public health and offers you a stable future.
Future Scope for a Career in Food and Nutrition
- Graduates can work in the health sector as nutrition consultants, program executives, nutrition counsellors and dieticians.
- In India, Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) hires people from nutrition backgrounds as child development officers and supervisors.
- Recently, the Indian government has launched a Nutrition Mission under the Social Welfare Department. Consultants and technical officials from Food and Nutrition are appointed at the national and state levels to implement various programs.
- The Food and Nutrition Board of India has technical positions for graduates. Depending on the number of vacancies available, the Union Public Service Commission- UPSC- conducts interviews for posts within the Board.
- The National Institute of Public Cooperation and Development has positions for deputy director, assistant director, researcher, technical officers and research associate,; all of which are employed from the field of food and nutrition.
- Sports Authority of India (SAI) appoints sports nutritionists, research officers and research fellows with food and nutrition backgrounds.
- Technological advancements are creating many new and exciting creations like meatless meat or NASA’s 3D-printed pizza. Graduates with adequate technical skills will have endless opportunities in the future.
- Due to many consumers shifting to alternative protein sources due to health, environmental and moral concerns, many job opportunities are opening up in this field, making it one of the most relevant food technology trends.
Skills Required to Study Food and Nutrition
- Communication skills
- Interpersonal skills
- Time management
- Team working skills
- Critical thinking and problem-solving skills
- Service orientation skills – looking for ways to help others and a positive attitude towards their feelings.
- Persuasion and Negotiation skills
- Judgment and decision-making skills
Careers in Food and Nutrition
- Fitness Trainer
- Aerobics Instructor
- Food Research Analyst
- Food Services Manager
- Food Technologist
- Nutrition/Dietician
- Teacher/Lecturer
- Marketing Food/Nutrition Manager
Eligibility to Pursue a Degree in Food and Nutrition
Students who passed 10+2 from recognized institutions under the science stream can apply for the Bachelor’s degree in Food Science and Nutrition.
Top Colleges/Universities in India and Abroad to Study Food and Nutrition
- Jiangnan University, China
- Zhejiang University, China
- University of Wageningen, Netherlands
- University of Campinas, Brazil
- Ghent University, Belgium
- Assam Agricultural University, India
- Avinashilingam Institute for Home Science and Higher Education for Women, India
- Begum Jamila Haji Abdul Haq College of Home Science, India
- Behala College, India
- Doon Ghati College of Professional Education, India
Famous People Connected with Food and Nutrition
WK Kellogg
American industrialist in food manufacturing. He was best known as the founder of the Kellogg Company, the leading producer of ready-to-eat cereals and other food products.
Louis Pasteur
French chemist and microbiologist. He developed the process of pasteurization for killing bacteria in food.
Top Institutions that Employ People in this Field
Government Sector
- Health Department
- Social Welfare Department
- Food and Nutrition Board
- Sports Authority of India
- National Institute of Public Cooperation and Child Development
International Organizations
- UNICEF
- Save the Children
- UNDP
- World Food Program
- Child Rights and You
- Action against Hunger
- World Vision
