Sports nutritionists combine science and nutrition to help athletes perform their best.
Becoming a sports nutritionist is a great choice for people who are passionate about sports and helping athletes perform at a peak level through nutrition. Most sports nutritionists have a bachelor’s degree in nutrition or a science-related field, complete an internship, and earn specialized certifications.
A Focus on Sports and Athletes
Nutritionists, in general, use nutrition to promote or improve health in response to disease. Sports nutritionists focus on helping athletes or athletic individuals improve their performance through nutrition.
They create nutrition plans that increase stamina for training, workouts, and competition, and provide treatment after strenuous exercise and injuries.
Sports nutritionists work with sports teams or athletes at all levels, and they also work with recreational athletes.
“Understanding nutrition on a macro and micro level is paramount for sports nutritionists,” says Lisa Moskovitz, RD and CEO of NY Nutrition Group. “Unlike more sedentary individuals, athletes require additional nutrients. Calculations must be specific to ensure adequate energy intake and absorption.”
Qualities of a Successful Sports Nutritionist
A successful sports nutritionist should be:
- A strong communicator and motivator. As a sports nutritionist, you’ll be working directly with clients who will be following your recommendations. It’s important that you communicate your advice and instructions clearly and help clients stick to their prescribed routines.
- Analytical and organized. These skills are a must. Being a sports nutritionist requires a lot of recordkeeping and analysis of the results of your work.
- Detail-oriented. Every person you work with will be different. Being able to fine-tune your menu plans and advice will be crucial to your success.
- Collaborative. In addition to working with athletes, you may work and communicate with their parents and coaches, as well as doctors and other health professionals.
- A lifelong learner. Sports nutrition relies heavily on science. It’s important that you’re interested in reading and learning about the latest scientific findings in your field.
Job Description
According to Moskovitz, the top responsibilities of a sports nutritionist include:
Education to Become a Sports Nutritionist
The education requirements to become a sports nutritionist are becoming increasingly strict.
“While anyone can call themselves a ‘nutritionist,’ a sports dietitian must complete more rigorous education and training,” says Moskovitz. “First, in order to become a dietitian, one must fulfill college-level coursework.
Then, they must apply to, and successfully complete, an accredited dietetic internship. Finally, in order to receive the registered dietitian credential, they must be validated by the Commission on Dietetic Registration and pass the official RD exam.”
If you decide to become a sports nutritionist, you’ll likely need to earn a master’s degree to advance your career and qualify for more prestigious positions.
Sports nutritionists have a bachelor’s degree in nutrition, physiology, kinesiology, or a related field. Those who decide to pursue sports nutrition as a career after earning a different four-year degree can take postgraduate classes through certificate programs.
If you decide to become a sports nutritionist, it’s likely that you’ll need to earn a master’s degree to advance your career and qualify for more prestigious positions.
In fact, starting in 2024, you’ll need a master’s degree to take the Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) exam, which is a requirement for licensure in most states.
What You’ll Study
Sports nutritionists advise athletes on how to balance rigorous physical activities with a proper diet. Their education focuses largely on subjects like biology, physiology, and kinesiology, as these all relate to how the body moves and reacts to different stimuli.
Here are the most common subjects that are required for studying sports nutrition. Many are about science and will include labs:
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