Culinary Nutrition

Food professionals must obtain an extensive body of knowledge in the area of nutrition. At some schools, students can obtain a bachelor's degree in this area after they have completed an associate's degree in a culinary field. As consumers look for healthier food choices in restaurants and menus begin to reflect that trend, those with advanced degrees are in high demand.

Culinary Nutrition Options

For those students who want to apply solid nutritional theories to their menu designs, a bachelor's degree in culinary nutrition is the perfect option. Going forward, there will be more and more opportunities to use the skills and techniques they learn and to use them in a variety of settings. Students who graduate with this degree have a wide range of career choices available to them.

Such options as serving as a personal chef, working in a test kitchen, creating menus for health-care facilities, and even presiding at facilities such as restaurants or spas that emphasize good nutrition become attractive. Courses may include biochemistry, culture and food, life span nutrition, healthy desserts, and food science. Graduates should also have a working knowledge of athletic performance foods and product research and development.

While all food service professionals should have at least a basic grasp of the concepts of healthy nutrition, there are those whose focus on that area will enable them to provide advanced understanding and the development of healthy menus. At the same time, the option exists to focus on great taste and healthy eating options. As noted above, this field will be growing for decades to come, and those who pursue the required advanced degree will be able to have a significant impact wherever they are employed.