Menu planning, supervision of food preparation, sales, diet therapy, nutrition research, counseling, and education are all within the realm of the dietetic professional.
Dietitians tend to specialize in five main areas.
Clinical Dietitians work in hospitals, nursing homes, and other health care facilities. They plan and supervise the preparation of meals for patients, and confer with physicians and other medical professionals about each patient's nutritional needs and preferences. They may coordinate diet therapy and nutritional education programs, including teaching patients and their families about specific diets to be followed. They may also instruct groups or individuals about the nutritional care of conditions such as diabetes, obesity, and pregnancy. Some Dietitians make nutritional presentations to medical professionals.