The title of my upcoming guest post reflects back to the days when I was still a slave to the computer manipulating text and photos to fit into dedicated layouts. Yes, I found myself bored in the line of work as a production artist. Designer no, simply a “technician” taking copy and images and fitting them into a magazine or book template. Funny enough I’m still on the computer a lot, but doing something I find much more rewarding.
It is hard to believe how many of my free hours I spent divulging in healthy cookbooks, searching for diet books that made sense and reading up on every nutritional aspect I could find. And this wasn’t my job or career. A hobby, so to speak. But I truly enjoyed it. And I began cooking more healthified meals as well.
What really triggered the next step was a sickness that devoured all my color and energy following a weeklong dance camp in Seattle. A friend suggested I see his Naturalpath and so I did. Turns out I was deficient in several nutrients and extremely acidic. While heading the ‘path’s advice, I also discovered the Body Ecology Diet and began incorporating its findings and dietary principles into my life. No longer suffering nutrition related ailments, I returned to a normal diet, but wiser than before controlling my sweet tooth and opting for less sugar-filled treats, replacing homemade ‘cookies’ with naturally sweet nuts, oats, spices and coming up with my own energy bars devoid of processed sugars.
After a library of nutrition books, collection of dietary magazine clippings and 2-3 years later, I decided to go back to school and become a “Nutritionist”. And discovered I was embarking on the path toward becoming a “Registered Dietitian” something that in name never sounded too glamorous. But what great opportunities for a Dietitian these days: From media consultant and brand embassador – PR and marketing to Clinical. And all the world in between! Who would have thought being a grocery store dietitian could be so interesting?
And BTW: I’m not the “diet police”. As for myself, I’m no slave to a diet, nor am I a vegan, vegetarian or specific to any label. I learned in my post-grad experience many different aspects of nutrition. I also became more liberal in my views of what constitutes a healthy body instead of limiting and restricting some of my favorite treats (they do remain treats in that I don’t eat them everyday and I eat in moderation) like Ina Garten’s Outrageous Brownies – an incredible delight to my tastebuds.
Stay turned for “Turn your Passion for Nutrition into a Career”. It provides a glimpse into the various areas a nutritional degree (mine being MS in Nutritional Science) can take you.
Q: Are you considering a career in Nutrition?
Q: If you are already in the field, what inspired your “calling”?
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My undergrad degree is in human services, but I began as a biology major and have a good background in health science. I’ve had a lifelong passion for a career in nutrition (I’m particularly interested in childhood obesity, prevention and treatment) but was unable to complete an accredited undergrad degree. Now, I am interning in a healthy weight management department for a local healthcare organization- how would you suggest gearing my career toward nutrition education, weight management programming and research without starting all over and becoming an RD? Right now I am considering an MS in Public Health…
My friend has a MS in Public Health. She is not a registered dietitian, but can do some of the same things we do. She is currently doing counseling outpatient at Kaiser. I believe that would be a great degree to aspire to as you can still be involved in community health.