Food and nutrition majors don’t just go on to become dietitians or chefs; they also open doors to careers in government agencies, research centers, broadcasting organizations, and more through the interdisciplinary exploration and application of food and nutrition.
Most people who don’t know much about any major have prejudices. They think that everyone who graduates from a teacher’s college will become a teacher, everyone who goes to art school will become a painter, and everyone who graduates from engineering school will become an engineer. These are misconceptions that most likely stem from a lack of understanding of the specific majors. In fact, each major isn’t aimed at a single career, but encompasses a wide range of academic inquiry and application. For example, just as liberal arts students can choose to go beyond simply acquiring knowledge in the humanities and become researchers who analyze trends in society and provide new insights, each major opens up a world of possibilities.
For those unfamiliar with the field, a major in nutrition and dietetics often brings to mind a career as a dietitian or chef. Of course, the areas of study for dietetics students include nutrition and culinary science. However, while some people may choose to pursue a career as a nutritionist or chef, these fields are only the tip of the iceberg, and only a small percentage of the population aspires to be a nutritionist or chef. In fact, the field of dietetics and nutrition is much broader than just nutrition and culinary science, and it has many different disciplines. It’s a much broader and deeper field than most people realize, and to help you understand, we’re going to explain what a dietetics major is.
Food and nutrition is an applied science and a practical science, which means that during the undergraduate years, students focus on the basic sciences such as biology and chemistry, and then gradually move on to the applied sciences. In addition, students are taught experiments along with theoretical courses. These courses go beyond mere academic exploration and focus on developing practical problem-solving skills. You will acquire scientific knowledge that can be applied in the real world and develop the ability to conduct new research or develop products based on it.
The applied sciences studied in the Department of Food and Nutrition can be divided into two main areas. Food science includes food chemistry, food microbiology, food processing, and food preparation science, while nutrition includes human nutrition, nutritional physiology, and nutritional molecular genetics. In simpler terms, food science deals with the structure and properties of food components, how they change under certain circumstances such as cooking or processing, and the management and regulation of food. Nutrition deals with the different biochemical mechanisms that the nutrients in food cause in the body when consumed. It covers the role of nutrients in human growth and development, the relationship between nutrients and disease, and dietary interventions for treatment.
Because it encompasses so many different areas, people who specialize in food and nutrition work in a variety of fields. For example, food and nutrition graduates can work as government officials, researchers in industry, and broadcast journalists in areas related to food and nutrition. In addition, with the recent increase in interest in wellness and health, food and nutrition majors are finding work in areas such as nutraceutical development, food safety management, and nutrition counseling and education.
Food and nutrition are somewhat related but slightly different disciplines. But ultimately, the goal is the same. It’s the pursuit of a better life for humans by studying food, people, and their relationships. So, while the paths of those who major in food and nutrition may be different, they are all on the same path to help people live healthier lives. When these studies and efforts come to fruition, the true value of the Department of Food and Nutrition is realized, and it will have a positive impact on our society as a whole.
