WHAT DO I NEED TO LOOK FOR WHEN HIRING A NUTRITION COACH?

Choosing the right nutrition professional for your specific needs is an area which most individuals get confused or misunderstood with. Generally it is believed that nutritionists, dieticians, and nutrition coaches all do the same thing and cover the same areas of nutrition and diet. However, this is not necessarily the case and there are some major and important differences;

• Nutritionist is the generalised term given to any individual who works within the field of nutrition and diet, regardless of background or qualifications. They tend to provide basic nutritional advice and counselling, and are typically found working in non-clinical settings.

• Dietician is the official title given to an individual who holds a specialist regulated nutrition degree. These individuals tend to work with sick and unhealthy clients by assessing, diagnosing, and treating dietary and nutritional issues based on current scientific evidence. Dieticians are also the only nutrition professionals who can prescribe and set detailed specific meal plans to both healthy and unhealthy clients.

​

• Nutrition coach is the term given to an individual who holds a qualification in nutrition coaching. These individuals tend to work with healthy clients to coach them through nutritional misinformation, educate about the role of nutrition and encourage the client to make their own nutrition changes. They cannot provide detailed and specific meal plans, but can however make suggestions based on your existing nutrition habits.

​​

When considering hiring a nutrition coach it is important to check for qualities which makes them ideal to guide and assist you on your nutrition change journey. These include;

• Professional conduct

• Punctuality

• Empathy towards your desire to make a change

• Engaging and observant

• Express clear and concise information in a way that is easy to understand

• Teaching styles you can engage with, thrive from and place into your own action plan

• Personality traits that suit your needs to be pushed and motivated

• Attention to detail

• Quality of services offered

• The ability to encourage nutrition changes into your daily routine, not force it

So before enrolling with a nutrition coach make sure they are able to help you achieve your goals in a way that realistically meets your expectations, as well as making sure they are the right fit for you and your circumstances on a personal level.