Train to be a nutritional counsellor - help and advise people managing their diet.

• Learn Human Nutrition at Home - study online or by eLearning (USB memory stick).

• Learn what food is healthy.

• Start a business or find employment helping others manage their diet.

• Tailor the course to your needs with the selection of Elective Modules. 

• Graduates can apply to join the Association of Coaching and /or Complimentary Medicine Association (UK).

• Pathways available to continue studies toward higher qualifications (including Associate Diploma in Food And Nutrition).

Graduates may find work in ...
This is an excellent course for people who wish to advance or change their career into counselling with a focus on nutrition, or for those already working in the health industry who wish to enhance their knowledge! 

Recent research in nutrition and health services indicates there is an increasing need for counsellors to have specialist knowledge in the area of nutrition, weight loss and children's nutrition whilst still maintaining professional counselling skills and practice. You should enrol in this course if you are genuinely seeking to develop counselling skills, understand counselling techniques and work with people who are focused on improving their health through nutrition. 

Health promotion in education is also another huge development area and requires people who know the facts about nutrition and also understand the importance of counselling.

Note: In some countries, and in some high-level jobs (e.g. hospital dietician), you may need a university degree or higher. This course is equivalent to less than 20% of such a qualification.

COURSE STRUCTURE AND CONTENT

Course Duration: 900 hours.

Start Date: Start at any time - study at a pace that suits you, and with full tutor support for the duration of your studies.

Content: Study 7 Core Modules (compulsory) and then choose 3 Elective Modules.

Everyone has a different ideal diet

Individuals vary greatly from one person to another in what they eat. Most families tend to have the same sort of diet for everyone in the family; but the ideal food needs of individual family members will vary from one family member to the next. Most of the time; these differences are not critical; but often, if you look closer at the health, well-being, and food needs of individuals; it is possible to identify issues which can, and probably should be attended to.

A Nutritional Counsellor can become involved with helping people by identifying nutritional issues and suggesting ways they might improve their lives by changing what or how they eat.

Illnesses

Some people are under medical supervision for their diets. These include people with malabsorptive conditions, hypertension, heart disease, cardiovascular disease, liver disease and renal disease. Some people also have genetic disorders that require specific limitations to the diet. 

We know lots of general things about what most people don't eat enough of (e.g. fruit and vegetables) and what most people consume too much of (e.g. sugar); but an individual is not "most people".

As an effective nutritional advisor, it is important that assessment of nutritional status and needs is based on comprehensive information and knowledge of the specific needs of each individual. This may in some cases vary significantly from the general population.

Children 

As children enter school protein requirements are higher, and all vitamins and minerals are still in high demand as body tissues develop, expand and mature. Energy demand is high for the same reason, as well as for most children because they are very active. 

Dietary habits and preferences are established early. It is much easier to instil good habits in a toddler than in a teenager who is already accustomed to bad habits! Body image, acne and other issues are prevalent in children, obesity, hormonal changes, the onset on menstruation and puberty are all concerns. It is also important to watch for signs of anorexia and bulimia, laxative use, fad dieting and other eating problems. 

Adolescents 

In health, this age group have very big appetites. Their nutritional requirements are at their highest. To meet these requirements well balanced meals of a high nutritional value must be provided. Obesity among school children and adolescents is nowadays one of the commonest forms of malnutrition. This may be due to a general decrease in physical activity, the energy intake exceeding expenditure compared to previous generations. Encouraging physical pursuits, rather than indoor sedentary hobbies is important. Again, the body image, weight, hormone and skin problems that generally appear in the pre-teen years are a concern in adolescents.

In later teen years binge drinking can result in serious deficits in vitamin C and B-complex, as well as many minerals. Alcohol consumption should be curbed in these vital developmental years. Many adolescents will have jobs, while also juggling, work, school and social commitments, and also disposable income. The combination makes foods they may otherwise not have had access to previously readily available and also promotes snacking on the run. In both school children and adolescents there is increasing evidence that may concentration, attention and behavioural issues are at least partially related to dietary problems.

Elderly People
With age comes a general decrease in muscle mass, resulting in lower basal metabolic rate. This means that elderly people do not require as much energy as younger people. Fibre requirements, along with fat and carbohydrate requirements remain very similar to adult requirements however. Nutrient dense food is required as appetite generally decreases. Micro nutrient deficiency is common. Factors such as illness, interaction of prescribed drugs with nutrients, dental problems and diseases or deterioration of the bowel, kidneys and liver can hamper nutrient absorption, metabolism, utilisation and excretion. The major concern for elderly people is institutionalisation. Institutionalised elderly people show greater rates of iron, potassium, vitamin C, riboflavin and vitamin D deficiency, leaving them more susceptible to illness. Riboflavin and potassium deficiency are very common in those who still live independently.

Dietary problems tend to be related to lack of variety in the diet, and low income can mean a reliance on cheap, nutrient poor, calorie dense processed foods. Supplements may be out of reach for many elderly people. Consumption of organ meats and offal can be much higher than the general population, but should be limited, to a meal once every few weeks to avoid vitamin A toxicity.

Where this Can Lead

The things you learn in this course may well lead you to becoming a nutritional counsellor or advisor; but the opportunities to work with food, nutrition and helping people with their general health and well-being will be extended in many other areas as well.

Once you know and understand food and nutrition better, you will start to see business and employment opportunities in many areas, from growing, manufacturing, processing and supplying food; to all sorts of opportunities in health and fitness.

You may establish your own practice as a consultant, find employment in a health food shop or develop a business producing "healthier" food products. 

The world is changing rapidly, and new innovations are fast changing the jobs available; but one thing remains constant: people will always eat. As such there will always be work for people who understand food and nutrition.

Study with ACS

• Choose ACS for high quality courses - written and taught by expert tutors.

• Our courses are designed to be relevant for the real world.

• Benefit from unlimited tutor access and full administrative support.

• Study when and where you want to - with online and eLearning options.

• Study while you work - our courses are self paced so you can continue to work or fit studying around your existing commitments.

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