Nutritional therapist
A nutritional therapist is a health care professional who specialises in studying the effects of diet and nutrition and preparing nutrition plans to support clients' health and well-being. They usually work in health care, the food and pharmaceutical industry and as self-employed workers. In addition to nutritional expertise, the profession requires good interaction skills.
Health care, the food and pharmaceutical industry, organisations, universities and research institutes, and entrepreneurs.
A nutritional therapist must master the basics of nutritional science so that they can prepare individual nutrition plans for their customers. A nutritional therapist provides customers with guidance, advice and support in promoting nutrition and healthy lifestyles, so they must be able to provide food preparation tips, information related to the planning of meal rhythms, weight management instructions and guidance in making food purchases.
A nutritional therapist can provide training and lectures on nutrition and healthy lifestyles for different groups, so the profession often also requires training and presentation skills. The work requires both an ability to work independently and in groups, as a nutritionist often works in close co-operation with other health care professionals. Customer work requires excellent interaction skills and flexibility.
A nutritionist must continuously monitor the development and research in their field.
Nutritional science can be studied at university by completing a Bachelor's and a Master's degree in health sciences. You can also complete a Bachelor's and Master's degrees in food sciences at university.
A nutritional therapist (dietician) is a licensed profession in Finland. Only licensed professionals are allowed to practise the profession in question. Upon application, Valvira grants licences to practise the profession in question to both those healthcare professionals who obtained their degree in Finland as well as those who obtained it abroad, and registers the granted professional practice rights to the central register of health care professionals.
Median salary
3629 €/mo
Private sector
3891 €/mo
Public sector
3542 €/mo
The data is based on the median income, meaning the amount of salary which is the middle of the salary amounts arranged in order of magnitude.
Source: Statistics Finland's structural statistics on wages and salaries