Elmary Purtill: community dietician with the Midland Health Board, who also works with the media to spread the healthy eating message.
I generally work from 9.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m., Monday to Friday. My work varies hugely from day to day. I do five GP clinics a month, so I may spend a morning at one of these clinics.
At the clinics, I see people who have diabetes or heart disease. The majority of these people are overweight and are referred to me for weight management advice. There are a lot of misconceptions about diet, for example many people with diabetes believe they shouldn't eat grapes or bananas and they can eat both.
The key is to eat a balanced diet, enjoy your food and not to overdo it.
Similarly, people think all oils are good - particularly if they switch from a hard, cooking fat to olive oil - but although the type of fat is better, there is the same amount of calories in both and it's important to reduce fats even if it is a better type.
I am also involved in the Happy Heart catering awards. The awards are given to restaurants that offer healthy food options in a healthy environment.
The awards are issued from the Midland Health Board in conjunction with the Environmental Health Service and the Irish Heart Foundation.
My job is to audit and monitor restaurants to see what foods they are offering and look for visible healthy options on the menus. It's important to look at the way the food is cooked too.
Generally, I encourage restaurants to offer more fruit, vegetables and salads on their menus and make sure there are low fat varieties of most dishes. For example, an awarded premises must offer baked or boiled potatoes as an alternative to chips.
There are currently 12 restaurants with the award and we are hoping to award eight more this year.
Another project which I am assisting at present is the Healthy Options To Go project in which we are suggesting healthy options for - breakfast rolls and sandwiches in the small supermarkets and deli counters in filling stations.
This project is sponsored by Safefood, the Food Safety Promotion Board.
Another key area of my job is working with the media. I have just completed a postgraduate diploma in journalism. The media allows the healthy eating message reach people we might otherwise not have access to.
One part of my media work is a monthly slot on Shannonside radio in which I discuss topical issues about diet. My role is to demystify new diets and keep the public up to date on dietary and other health topics.
At the moment, I also work with Shannonside radio station on a healthy lifestyle programme where nine members of the public are trying to manage their weight and get fit.
The show is sponsored by a local gym and all nine get free gym membership for the 10 weeks. I give them dietary tips and support. Late-night eating and eating in front of the television are two of the problems that have come up so far for the group.
Alongside the radio work, I also write articles to the local press every week on nutritional topics.
I enjoy the variety of my job and the independence I have to manage my own projects. I travel quite a lot which also adds to the diversity of my working days.