Selecting the correct career is a crucial decision with far-reaching implications. It is a choice that will shape your future, underscoring the importance of making an informed decision.
Over the next few weeks, The African Reporter will engage with business people, professionals and other role players, focusing on a specific career every week.
By doing this, we aim to provide valuable guidance to our younger readers navigating their career choices. This week, we give a platform to the dietitian career. Cara Duvenage is a registered dietitian and a SA-certified lactation consultant.
“I completed my community service year in the clinics in the Ekurhuleni health district in 2021. Since January 2022, I have worked in various private sector settings,” she said.
What is a dietitian?A dietitian is a qualified and trained medical professional specialising in food and nutrition.
What do dietitians do?Dietitians help people prevent, treat and manage disease with dietary changes.• They assess patients’ nutritional needs and health concerns;• They create personalised meal plans based on individual requirements;• They help patients manage chronic conditions;• They teach patients about nutrition and dietary requirements/ habits;• They track patients’ progress,• They research the effects of nutrition on health.
What is the difference between a dietitian and a nutritionist?Dietitians are regulated professionals who complete a degree in dietetics, do practical training and register with a professional board. Nutritionists might not need formal training and are not always regulated.
Where can I study to become a dietitian, and how long does it take?To become a registered dietitian in SA, you must complete a four-year degree in dietetics and do a one-year compulsory community service. One also needs to keep the continuous professional development points up to date with the newest research and findings in the field of nutrition.
Cara Duvenage is a registered dietitian.
Where can I study to become a dietitian?You can study dietetics at these universities:• The North-West University (NWU);• The University of Pretoria (TUKS);• The University of Stellenbosch;• The University of the Free State.
What high school subjects do I need?A good foundation in mathematics, physical science and biology. Other subjects like consumer science can also help build a good foundation.
What skills do I need to become a good dietitian?As a dietitian, you need skills like critical thinking and problem-solving because you must get to the root cause of underlying issues to solve the presenting problem. You also need skills like counselling, listening, educating, empowering and more.If you own a practice, you must have business skills, including time management, organising marketing and more.
Are there different types of dietitians?There aren’t different types of dietitians, but dietitians do work in many settings. As a dietitian, you can work in hospitals, rehabilitation centres, food service units (big kitchens serving many people, like in a hospital or old age home), private practice, the corporate space, sports nutrition and research environment.
Why do people visit dietitians?People need to see a dietitian as part of a multi-disciplinary team to help prevent, manage and treat diseases like diabetes, cholesterol and hypertension.If people want to change their dietary habits, it is best to do it with the help of a registered dietitian to ensure they are educated and make informed decisions about these changes.
What are the pros and cons that come with the job?Advantages:Making a difference: Helping people improve their health and prevent diseases.Diverse career opportunities: Work in hospitals, private practice, corporate wellness, sports, research or even the media.Continuous learning: The field is always evolving, keeping the work exciting.Disadvantages:Challenging clients: Some clients have unrealistic expectations or believe in diet myths.Emotional challenges: Some clients struggle to follow advice, which can be frustrating.
Who do dietitians work closely with?Dietitians work closely with other health professionals in a multi-disciplinary team that includes doctors, nurses, biokineticists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, pharmacists, physiotherapists and so forth.
ALSO READ: Embrace the twists and turns of your learning journey: Becoming a vet
ALSO READ: Embrace the twists and turns of your learning journey: Becoming an occupational therapist
At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App here.