Students with a natural inclination towards any sports tend to pursue a course in sports nutrition to stay connected with their passion. The works of sports nutritionists are to advice athletes and make them aware of the nutritional system. The subtle work of sports nutritionists is one of the main reasons we see every athlete optimally fit today. They educate the athletes on the effects of different types of foods on the body. Although educating the athletes is not the only work that sports nutritionists do, they also develop proper eating habits of the athletes by preparing a balanced diet of carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals. The role of a sports nutritionist is incredibly significant as they are one of the main pillars in the career of an athlete.
Eligibility to Study Sports Nutrition
If you want to become a sports nutritionist, you need to pursue a bachelor degree such as B.Sc. in Food and Nutrition or Dietetics.
Skills Required to Study Sports Nutrition
You need to have an overall knowledge of medical nutrition therapy and have hands-on skill in it. You also need to have a brilliant eye for details for recognizing eating disorder symptoms. At the time of pursuing a degree course in sports nutrition, you will acquire the ability to assess and evaluate energy balance and body composition.
Roadmap to Study Sports Nutrition
You can start studying sports nutrition only after completing 10+2 with Biology. Many colleges will require students to clear an entrance examination to join the course. After completing a bachelor degree in sports nutrition, you can either join the industry or you can also opt for higher studies. You need to clear entrance examination like National Institute of Nutrition M.Sc. Entrance Examination.
Other examinations which you can give to pursue higher education in this field are – A.I.I.H.P.H Examination (All India Institute of Hygiene and Public Health Entrance Examination), I.G.N.O.U. Master of Science and Dietetics and Food Service Management Nutritional Biochemistry Examination, Osmania University Entrance Examination, M.Sc. in Dietetics Entrance Examination of Annamalai University, Master of Science in Dietetics and Applied Nutrition Entrance Examination of Manipal University, Master of Science in Dietetics Entrance Examination of University of Kerala, M.Sc. in Dietetics and Food Service Management Entrance Examination of Mangalore University, S.N.D.T. Women’s University Post Graduate Diploma in Dietetics Entrance Examination, and University of Mumbai Master of Science in Dietetics Entrance Examination.
Career Prospects of a Sports Nutritionist
Upon completion of your degree course in Sports Nutrition, you will get jobs like Sports Nutrition Researcher, Sports Dietician, Assistance Professor of Dietetics and Nutritional Performance, Dietician Athletics, and Director of Sports Nutrition. You can either join the public sector or the private sector. The pay-scale is good in both the sectors where you can get an in-hand salary of INR 40K to INR 50K, working as fresher. The sports industry has just beginning to bloom in India as the country has started achieving success in sports other than cricket. So, this is the right time to study Sports Nutrition. Experienced Sports Nutritionists earn more than one lakh per month in India.
