The nutrition world has blown up the culinary world in recent years. Never before has there been more interest or demand that the food industry listen to the health wants and needs of its customers.
This has led to many more job opportunities in the culinary field for those with a background in nutrition. Culinary career paths for nutrition professionals are expanding rapidly, offering meaningful and flexible ways to combine food and wellness.
This has led to many more job opportunities in the culinary field for those with a background in nutrition.
If you are interested in a Nutrition Therapist Master certification, are working on achieving this amazing goal or already have an NTM, there are plenty of options in culinary work if this is what draws you. Culinary career paths for nutrition professionals range from entrepreneurship to traditional employment, depending on your interests and lifestyle goals.
The Freedom and Flexibility of Your Own Business
Private Chef and Catering
If you have cooking skills in combination with a strong understanding of nutrition, there is much demand from people who feel they have neither. Working as a private chef or caterer allows you to create meals for people who care deeply about their health while looking to outsource cooking.
Private chefs can work with people with special dietary needs or specific health conditions.
The main difference between being a private chef and a caterer is that chefs are usually used on a consistent basis (daily, weekly or monthly) while caterers are needed for one-off events. This can include special occasions, retreats and more.
Both catering and being a private chef can be strengthened with a background in nutrition if you want to be able to cover customized and specialized dietary needs.
Creating Products
If you have an idea for a specialty food, especially one that promotes wellness, you can bet there will be interest in it. It is possible to sell products like these at local farmers markets, grocery stores and through online commerce.
Where you want to sell may impact the size of the business you’re looking to build. State laws vary on special licenses and inspections but many food products businesses start as a cottage food. On a smaller scale, this business type does not need the same kind of licensing but is restricted on where products can be sold.
Unique foods that support health, avoid certain allergens and/or fit into specific diets can be a great addition to our plates.
Food Blogging and Cookbooks
If you are someone who enjoys the hands-on experience of recipe development, food blogging can be a great way to get a following for your health-minded recipes.
Although there can be a lot of competition, having a recipe website that is backed up with the science of nutrition can give you an edge. Having a specialty can help but may not always be necessary. If you are interested in offering a specialty, it can be based on a certain kind of diet (like keto, gluten-free, vegan, etc.) or health focus (such as cancer-fighting or hormone-balancing). You can also pinpoint a particular lifestyle, like cooking on a budget or for a family.
These days, many food bloggers also go on to develop cookbooks. Others go straight to cookbooks. This can be through self-publication or with a publishing company.
The Ease and Low-Responsibility of Employment
Restaurant Work
If you already have some cooking experience under your belt, adding your expertise as a Nutrition Therapist Master can be a major selling point for restaurants.
There has never before been more interest in restaurants being mindful about special diets and dietary restrictions. And with more demand for farm-to-table eateries, having a holistic nutrition background may just help you stand out against other cooks and chefs.
Meal Development for Facilities
With growing interest in health and nutrition for individuals comes similar interest on a more communal level. Schools, assisted living facilities and even private companies may need your help.
Menu and meal development for these places needs to start somewhere. Nutrition Therapist Masters have the ability to create these in order to support children, the elderly and employees.
You have the chance to form nutrient-dense, health-supporting meal ideas within specific budgets and guidelines.
Find the Culinary Job That is Right for You
If you want to find a way to combine culinary knowledge or interest with a Nutrition Therapist Master certification, there are so many paths you can choose. Although these are just a few ideas, there are many more as well.
It is only a matter of what interests you, who you want to work with, and if you want your own business or not. Culinary career paths for nutrition professionals allow you to bring both science and creativity to the table, while supporting health in meaningful ways.
With a Nutrition Therapy Institute certification, the world will know that you bring an understanding of nutrition to the table, both figuratively and literally.
Now that you know just how wide of a range of options you can have with a Nutrition Therapist Master certification, it’s time to find out more!
Did you know that the NTI offers the curriculum as a group start with set dates and as an independent start on your own schedule?
Both take the same amount of time and offer flexibility. It’s just about deciding your preference. Learn more about the application process now.
Related reading…
Top 10 Careers in Holistic Nutrition
Why Study Holistic Nutrition? The Answer Lies in Our Food System
About the author: Maya Strausberg earned her Master Nutrition Therapist certification from NTI before starting her nutrition therapy private practice. She now offers writing and editing services for nutritionists and other health practitioners around the world through her business, Family Tree Nutrition.
Images:
- Photo by Or Hakim on Unsplash
- Image by itay verchik from Pixabay
- Photo by Obi on Unsplash
