Nutritionists (Swe. nutritionist or näringsfysiolog) are specialists in diet and nutrition. A nutritionist is an expert in interpreting, analyzing, critically reviewing, assessing,and communicating scientific research results within the field of nutrition. A nutritionist has nutritional knowledge from a molecular level to a public health perspective.
Today, there are about 400 professional nutritionists in Sweden. They work, among other things, in research, education, government agencies, the food industry or consulting activities.
Education to become a nutritionist in Sweden: The Bachelor’s Programme in Nutrition is given at Stockholm University in collaboration with Karolinska Institutet or the Nutrition and Food Science Programme (Bachelor’s degree) at Linnaeus University, Kalmar. The Master’s programme in nutrition is given at Karolinska Institutet.
In some countries, the professional title of nutritionist means that you also have a clinical education and can work with patients. In contrast, it means dietician in other countries (e.g., Australia, Canada, England and the USA). In Sweden, a nutritionist is currently not allowed to work with clinical nutrition in care facilities. Internationally, therefore, nutritionist is an uncertain concept. The translation of a nutritionist title from Sweden is a Bachelor’s degree or Master of Science in nutrition.