By Talia Sultan
Talia sultan is a student of Human Nutrition & Dietetics at University of Veterinary & Animal Sciences (UVAS) Lahore. She is an expert in diet planning and developing dietary guidelines for weight loss, weight gain as well as demonstrating well on physical exercises to stay healthy. She loves to write articles on health, nutrition, fitness and beauty. She can be reached at taliya.foodsafety@gmail.com
As a nutritionist/dietician, I believe that having a degree in your field with just theoretical knowledge wouldn’t benefit you that much in professional life. I am a student of BS – Nutrition and Dietetics. While choosing this field, I was a little concerned about my educational career because I believe you always need skills and experience if you want your practical life to be smooth and successful. I always wanted to get some practical exposure and got it blissfully when I came to know that College of Tourism and Hotel Management (COTHM) was offering British certifications in this field. COTHM was offering UK’s Level 2 & 3 international award in Nutrition & Health that was the best solution to my troubles. So, I went for it and got the best possible experience throughout the course in minimum days.
Let’s have a look at Nutrition & Health – Level 2 & 3
Nutrition & Health – Level 2
Who is eligible to enroll in this course?
• The Level 2 international award in Nutrition and Health will benefit anyone who prepares and serves food, as it provides learners with a basic understanding of nutrition and the requirements of special diets to enable the planning and provision of well-balanced meals that would have a positive impact on health.
• Those who are 16 years old or above are eligible to attend this workshop.
• It will benefit the undergraduates and intermediate students with their major in science subjects.
What you will get from this?
• It is a one day workshop. It provides you with basic knowledge of how to prepare a healthy calorie counted balanced meal.
• You will learn balanced food preparation.
• And you will be educated about allergens too that is the biggest challenge to cope up in the food sector.
The opportunities you get
• After getting this certification, you will be able to serve different food companies by preparing healthy meals for them.
• If you want to work in HORECA, you will be highly in demand in case you have this certification because you will have the understandings & concepts to design meals with balanced calories.
• Being a British awarding body certified makes you more eligible to go for productive government and private jobs.
• Having this qualification/certification in your hand, you can work locally & internationally in food science industry.
Progress yourself to get better opportunities
What is Level 3 Nutrition & Health?
• This qualification has been designed for those involved in the provision of food or healthcare, allowing them to gain a good understanding of food, nutrition and its relationship with health and to improve their knowledge regarding food intake and choice.
• This qualification is for those who are studying food science, nutrition and diet related subjects at university level.
• Those who are practically engaged in nutrition practice can avail this opportunity.
• Those who want to set up their own clinics can have this certification and complete their dreams.
• Those who are graduates and have their degree in any science programs can benefit from this workshop and get suitable jobs.
• Those who are graduated and want to work in some food company, can apply for F & B sector qualification.
How much time will it take to complete?
• The workshop is comprised of 5 days; 3 days for complete understanding of nutrition and its role in our daily life; two days for preparing calorie-counted meals under the supervision of professional chefs & nutritionists.
• You will be provided with the information about nutrients both macro and micro and the fate of these nutrients. Not only information, you will get to perform practically too.
• You will get to know how to make a diet plan. A diet plan that helps normal people and patients. Knowledge about promoting healthy eating, therapeutic diets, special diets like gluten free diets, full liquid diet, semi-solid diet, pureed diet, blanderized diet and high protein diet etc.
• You will get to learn how to plan meal for a person with specific disease.
• You will get hands-on experience and practical exposure to develop balanced meals.
The opportunities you get
• If you are a UK certified dietician, you will get better opportunities locally and internationally, you can get jobs in food industry and airlines for meal designing.
• You can work for fitness centers or establish your own centers.
• You will be able to work in private and government health sectors & NGO’s.
• You will be able to work in some café or restaurant as a nutritionist.
• You will be able to work in international companies or health centers like diabetes centers; this certification will be a helping way too.
• You are eligible to take sessions and conduct trainings on food and nutrition at international level.
