Consultant dietitians work under contract with health care facilities or in their own private practice. They perform nutrition screening for their clients, and offer advice on diet-related concerns such as weight loss or cholesterol reduction. Some work for wellness programs, sports teams, supermarkets, and other nutrition-related businesses. They may consult with food service managers, providing expertise in sanitation, safety procedures, budgeting, and planning. Most dietitians work a regular 40-hour week, although some work weekends.
Many dietitians work part time.
However, some dietitians spend time in hot, steamy kitchens. Dietitians and nutritionists may be on their feet for most of the workday. Employment Dietitians and nutritionists held about 58,000 jobs in 1996. Over half were in hospitals, nursing homes, or offices and clinics of physicians. Others were employed by firms that provide food services on contract to such facilities as colleges and universities, airlines, and company cafeterias.