{"id":15723,"date":"2023-12-01T23:44:50","date_gmt":"2023-12-02T00:44:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/?p=15723"},"modified":"2023-12-02T02:22:46","modified_gmt":"2023-12-02T02:22:46","slug":"what-can-i-expect-from-nutrition-coaching-5-benefits","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/everything-else\/what-can-i-expect-from-nutrition-coaching-5-benefits\/","title":{"rendered":"What Can I Expect From Nutrition Coaching? (5 Benefits)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><b>So you\u2019re interested in nutrition coaching?<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Great! It\u2019s a smart move for the right person.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>I\u2019ve seen the power of it firsthand in our <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nerdfitness.com\/coaching-overview-page\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>Online Coaching Program<\/b><\/a><b>, with folks making small nutrition adjustments with big results.<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But before you go and hire a nutrition coach, read this guide!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You see, in many places \u201cnutritionist\u201d is an unregulated term, so not all nutrition coaches you find will be equally qualified.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So let\u2019s tell you <\/span><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">what to look out for<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">whether <\/span><\/span><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">you even <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">need<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> a nutrition coach<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to get started.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Here\u2019s what we\u2019ll cover:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"#what_does_a_nutrition_coach_do\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What does a nutrition coach do?<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"#how_can_a_nutrition_coach_help_me\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How can a nutrition coach help me?<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"#dietitian_vs_nutritionist\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What\u2019s the difference between a dietitian and a nutritionist?<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"#nutrition_coach_certifications\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What certifications should a nutrition coach have?<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"#signs_of_a_good_nutrition_coach\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Signs of a good nutrition coach (and signs of a bad one).<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"#nutrition_coach_cost\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How much does a nutrition coach cost?<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"#do_i_need_a_nutrition_coach\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Do we even need a coach? (How to simplify nutrition).<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"#nutrition_coach_worth_it\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Is a nutrition coach worth it?\u00a0<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"#hire_a_nutrition_coach\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hiring a nutrition coach (Next steps).<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Let\u2019s do this thang.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span id=\"more-4047346\"><\/span><\/p>\n<h2><a name=\"what_does_a_nutrition_coach_do\"><\/a>What Does a Nutrition Coach Do?<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-4047355\" src=\"https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/lego-chef-scaled-1.jpg\" alt=\"Lego chef cooking sushi and fish in the kitchen.\" width=\"694\" height=\"354\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/lego-chef-scaled-1.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/lego-chef-300x153-1.jpg 300w, https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/lego-chef-713x364-1.jpg 713w, https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/lego-chef-768x392-1.jpg 768w, https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/lego-chef-1536x784-1.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/lego-chef-2048x1046-1.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/lego-chef-600x306-1.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 694px) 100vw, 694px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><b>Nutrition coaches guide people\u2019s dietary habits to improve their health, body composition, or athletic performance.<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To do this correctly, a nutrition coach will need to know the science behind:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How different macronutrients (protein, fat, and carbs) affect the human body.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Calories, metabolism, and energy balance.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The vitamins and minerals found in our food.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In a nutshell, a good nutrition coach will know how to properly nourish the human body.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They can probably also tell you a little bit about nuts and their shells!<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-4047362\" src=\"https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/rim-shot.gif\" alt=\"A Pirate Ape doing a rim shot on drums\" width=\"434\" height=\"241\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But being an expert in nutrition science is only half of it. The other half is people.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Yep, a nutrition coach also needs to be an expert on folks like us. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Otherwise, it\u2019s hard to help people develop new habits.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Because sure, a chicken salad for dinner could be a smart move.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But how do you make that realistic for someone like Mason, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nerdfitness.com\/blog\/mason-lost-70-pounds-heres-how\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">who\u2019s constantly working and studying<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-3928850\" src=\"https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Screen-Shot-2021-07-28-at-8.43.56-PM.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"501\" height=\"498\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Screen-Shot-2021-07-28-at-8.43.56-PM.png 1196w, https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Screen-Shot-2021-07-28-at-8.43.56-PM-300x298-1.png 300w, https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Screen-Shot-2021-07-28-at-8.43.56-PM-603x600-1.png 603w, https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Screen-Shot-2021-07-28-at-8.43.56-PM-150x150-1.png 150w, https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Screen-Shot-2021-07-28-at-8.43.56-PM-768x764-1.png 768w, https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Screen-Shot-2021-07-28-at-8.43.56-PM-600x597-1.png 600w, https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Screen-Shot-2021-07-28-at-8.43.56-PM-100x100-1.png 100w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 501px) 100vw, 501px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That\u2019s where a coach comes in.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To be done well, nutrition coaching needs to include \u201cbehavior change,\u201d which enters the realm of psychology.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>So a nutrition coach needs to be an expert on two things:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nutrition science<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">People<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Without the second bullet, you\u2019re just handing out good advice that no one will ever use.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-4047363\" src=\"https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/jerry-no.gif\" alt=\"&quot;I don&#039;t want it.&quot;\" width=\"309\" height=\"231\" \/><\/p>\n<p><b>Before we go on, I will mention that through NF Coaching, we not only work on nutrition. But we also help build sustainable workout programs too! <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The goal is really to come at fitness from every angle, including exercise, nutrition, and mindset. We\u2019ve learned this is the key to making changes that LAST.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019d like to learn more about it, you can scope out our program right here:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\t<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nerdfitness.com\/coaching-overview-page\/\" rel=\"noopener\"><br \/>\n\t\t<button class=\"cta-button red\"><br \/>\n\t\t\tClick here to learn how we help folks master nutrition!\t\t<\/button><br \/>\n\t<\/a><br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Okay, let\u2019s talk a little more about how a nutrition coach can help.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><a name=\"how_can_a_nutrition_coach_help_me\"><\/a>How Can a Nutrition Coach Help Me?<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-4047360\" src=\"https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/lego-elephant.png\" alt=\"A LEGO being washed by an elephant \" width=\"796\" height=\"355\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/lego-elephant.png 1177w, https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/lego-elephant-300x134-1.png 300w, https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/lego-elephant-713x318-1.png 713w, https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/lego-elephant-768x343-1.png 768w, https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/lego-elephant-600x268-1.png 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 796px) 100vw, 796px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><b>There are all sorts of things a nutrition coach can help us with.\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For example, a good nutrition coach will provide:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>#1) ACCOUNTABILITY<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>This is one of the top reasons people hire a coach in the first place. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When we survey those who join <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nerdfitness.com\/coaching-overview-page\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">NF Coaching<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, it\u2019s often the number one reason folks join the program.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That\u2019s because knowing what to do is one thing. Doing it is quite another.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When we\u2019re <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nerdfitness.com\/blog\/how-to-start-working-out-consistently\/#5\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">accountable to someone else<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, whether it\u2019s a coach or even a friend who\u2019s on a similar mission, we\u2019re more likely to follow through.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-4047364\" src=\"https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/spider-man-count-on-me.gif\" alt=\"Spider Man saying &quot;They&#039;re Counting On Me&quot;\" width=\"468\" height=\"261\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Heck, it\u2019s one of the reasons <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nerdfitness.com\/blog\/how-tiny-changes-transformed-me-from-steve-rogers-to-captain-america\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rebel Leader Steve has a strength coach<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, despite running a fitness company.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here\u2019s what Steve says about it:<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I know when my coach asks me about my workout, I don\u2019t want to let him down. So I just do the workout.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><b>The same accountability can happen with nutrition.<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For example, if we make a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nerdfitness.com\/blog\/a-step-by-step-guide-to-meal-planning-and-prep\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">plan for meal prep<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> on Sunday afternoon, we\u2019re more likely to do it if we know our coach will ask about it on Monday.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Accountability can often be the missing piece for starting long-lasting change.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>#2) A PERSONALIZED APPROACH<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>It\u2019s really easy to go online and find a bunch of free recipes for healthy meals.<\/b><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For example, here are <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nerdfitness.com\/blog\/15-easy-meals-you-can-cook-at-home-during-the-apocalypse\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">26 such recipes<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While these recipes can be a great starting point, they often won\u2019t help with individual challenges:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What if we don\u2019t have any time to cook?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What if we have to deal with food allergies?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What if we want to eat the same dinner as our family?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That\u2019s where the help of a coach can be a game-changer.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They can offer specific recommendations around our unique challenges (and we all have unique challenges). Plus, they can check in with us to make sure their solutions are working.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If those solutions <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">aren\u2019t <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">working for us &#8211; nbd. They\u2019ll brainstorm new strategies we can implement.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This personalized solution can be very helpful if we haven\u2019t had much success with a \u201cright out of the box\u201d approach.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>#3) EXPERTISE<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>I mentioned earlier that a nutrition coach needs to be an expert on human nutrition.<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is helpful, so we don\u2019t have to worry about:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Is <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nerdfitness.com\/blog\/the-beginners-guide-to-the-keto-diet-or-ketogenic-diet\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Keto<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> the best strategy for weight loss?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Why have so many people had success with <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nerdfitness.com\/blog\/the-beginners-guide-to-the-paleo-diet\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Paleo<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How does <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nerdfitness.com\/blog\/the-ultimate-omad-diet-guide-can-one-meal-a-day-help-with-weight-loss\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">OMAD<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> fit into this?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-4047365\" src=\"https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/confused.gif\" alt=\"&quot;I&#039;m confused&quot; scene from Home Alone 2\" width=\"471\" height=\"255\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While it\u2019s good to be curious about different diets, a nutrition coach can help separate fact from fiction when it comes to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nerdfitness.com\/blog\/healthy-eating\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">healthy eating<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Otherwise, we might get tricked into <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nerdfitness.com\/blog\/does-the-military-diet-actually-work\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">following some terrible \u201ccrash diet\u201d<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nerdfitness.com\/blog\/what-is-the-30-30-30-rule-for-weight-loss\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> some social media \u201cfad diet.\u201d<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><b>#4) GUIDANCE AROUND \u201cHOW TO EAT\u201d<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>Most people approach proper nutrition around \u201cwhat to eat.\u201d Just as important, however, can be \u201chow to eat.\u201d<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For example, a nutrition coach can help us develop skills around:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Eating mindfully and slowly.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Our bodies take a while to recognize it\u2019s full. That\u2019s why slowing down and concentrating on our meals can <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nerdfitness.com\/blog\/how-to-portion-control-how-to-lose-weight-with-portion-control\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">help with portion control<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Some skills that might help include using a meal timer, putting the fork down between bites, and eating without the TV or our phone (i.e., no distractions).\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Recognizing hunger and fullness cues. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sometimes, we eat just to eat. Maybe we&#8217;re more bored than hungry. Maybe we&#8217;re <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nerdfitness.com\/blog\/how-to-stop-stress-eating-3-uncommon-tools-for-ending-emotional-eating\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">stressed and find ourselves emotionally eating<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. To help fight this, we can keep a \u201cHunger and Fullness Journal.\u201d With our journal, we rate our hunger from 1 to 10 before eating anything. If it\u2019s less than 6 or 7, maybe we pause for 30 minutes or so and check back in later. It\u2019s the same idea for our fullness. We\u2019ll pause during the meal so we can ask \u201cHow hungry am I still?\u201d If our hunger has subsided, maybe we save the rest of our food for later. The goal is to get to know our body&#8217;s hunger signals again.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Creating a schedule for meals.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Most people do best with eating on some type of routine. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner at roughly the same time. Our body will pick up on this and naturally get hungry at the times we normally eat.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>In our <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nerdfitness.com\/coaching-overview-page\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>Online Coaching Program<\/b><\/a><b>, we\u2019ll often assign missions to work on a \u201chow to eat\u201d skill for the week:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cThis week, how about we put down our fork between bites?\u201d<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cWhat if our next mission is to eat without the TV on?\u201d<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cHow do you feel about having dinner at the same time this week?\u201d<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These missions are discussed and built between the coach and client, so we can custom-make the best plan for you! After a few months of this, it can be surprising just how different our eating habits look.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-4047366\" src=\"https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/dog-fancy-dinner.gif\" alt=\"A dog eating a fancy dinner\" width=\"421\" height=\"233\" \/><\/p>\n<p><b>#5) TOOLS FOR BUILDING HEALTHY HABITS<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>One of our head coaches is fond of saying \u201cThe secret to our program is we build long-term healthy habits together.\u201d<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sure, it\u2019s great if someone can work out 2x a week and eat healthy lunches every day for a month.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But it\u2019s even BETTER if they can do it for the foreseeable future.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The difference between the two?\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Making them long-term habits<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>A habit is something we do all the time, without much thought. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Like bruising our teeth in the morning or showering at night.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We want our healthy eating behaviors to join this mix.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If a year from now, we\u2019re still practicing the actions our nutrition coach recommended, then we\u2019ll call that a major win.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Hiring a nutrition coach can <\/b><b><i>absolutely <\/i><\/b><b>be worth the investment if we continue our healthy habits after our time together is over.\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Next, let\u2019s talk about what separates a dietitian from a nutritionist.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><a name=\"dietitian_vs_nutritionist\"><\/a>What Is the Difference Between a Dietitian and a Nutritionist?<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-3848914\" src=\"https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/lego-doctor-cape.jpg\" alt=\"A LEGO doctor in a cape, who knows how to treat DOMS.\" width=\"650\" height=\"464\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/lego-doctor-cape.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/lego-doctor-cape-300x214-1.jpg 300w, https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/lego-doctor-cape-713x509-1.jpg 713w, https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/lego-doctor-cape-768x549-1.jpg 768w, https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/lego-doctor-cape-1536x1097-1.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/lego-doctor-cape-610x436-1.jpg 610w, https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/lego-doctor-cape-600x429-1.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><b>The big difference between a \u201cdietitian\u201d and a \u201cnutritionist\u201d is the formal education required and the regulations that govern the use of the title.\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While they both have their time and place, it\u2019s important to understand the difference between the two:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Dietitians treat disease through nutrition <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">and will often work within hospitals. For example, they might prescribe a diet to a patient with diabetes to help manage blood sugar levels. They\u2019ll likely hold the title of Registered Dietitian (RD).<\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Nutritionists work with the general population to develop healthy eating behavior, <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">often to meet a client\u2019s personal goal. You might hear them referred to as a \u201cNutrition Coach.\u201d<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Throughout most of the world, the title of \u201cdietitian\u201d is regulated by a governing body, like the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics in the United States.<a class=\"fn-ref-mark\" href=\"#footnote-1\" id=\"refmark-1\"><sup>[1]<\/sup><\/a><br \/>\n<b><\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While some states and countries do regulate the title of \u201cnutritionist,\u201d the requirements are often far less rigorous.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><b>Here\u2019s another way to think of it<\/b><\/span><b>: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">all \u201cDietitians\u201d can likely call themselves \u201cNutritionists\u201d but not all \u201cNutritionists\u201d can call themselves \u201cDietitians.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>To become a dietitian in the US you need to:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Earn an accredited bachelor\u2019s or master\u2019s degree<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Complete an internship<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pass the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) exam<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Obtain the appropriate state license<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Maintain said state license<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b><i>What does it take to become a nutritionist?<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Well, depending on where you live, it could be <\/span><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">nothing<\/span><\/i><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yep, you could print a business card with \u201cnutritionist\u201d on it and get to work.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Now, obviously, there\u2019s a big difference between calling yourself a nutritionist and actually helping people.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-4047367\" src=\"https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/simpsons-doctor.gif\" alt=\"The doctor from the Simpsons\" width=\"300\" height=\"226\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yeah\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, that doesn\u2019t mean a nutrition coach can\u2019t be beneficial.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Since the barrier to entry is lower, it\u2019s often more affordable to hire a nutritionist or nutrition coach.<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Plus, a nutrition coach will often work alongside a dietitian, helping to facilitate their prescription.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Much the same way an orthopedist might work with a physical therapist.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Next, let\u2019s chat about some certifications we can look out for if we want to hunt down a well-trained nutrition coach.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><a name=\"nutrition_coach_certifications\"><\/a>What Certifications Should a Nutrition Coach Have?<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-4047356\" src=\"https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/graduation-cap-scaled-1.jpg\" alt=\"A person wearing a graduation cap\" width=\"731\" height=\"365\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/graduation-cap-scaled-1.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/graduation-cap-300x150-1.jpg 300w, https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/graduation-cap-713x356-1.jpg 713w, https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/graduation-cap-768x384-1.jpg 768w, https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/graduation-cap-1536x767-1.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/graduation-cap-2048x1023-1.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/graduation-cap-600x300-1.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 731px) 100vw, 731px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><b>There are quite a few certification programs out there for nutrition.<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some are great!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some are&#8230;not so great.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Let\u2019s chat about some of the legit ones.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Here are some certifications to look for if we\u2019re going to hire a nutrition coach:<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><b>#1) PRECISION NUTRITION CERTIFICATION LEVEL 1 (PN1)<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>One of the most well-respected certifications for nutrition comes from <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.precisionnutrition.com\/nutrition-certification-level-1-presale-list\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>Precision Nutrition<\/b><\/a><b>.\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In fact, when we hire coaches, it\u2019s one of the qualifications we look out for!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">PN states there\u2019s \u201cno best diet for everyone\u201d and instead believes coaches should help their clients find the individualized nutrition plan that works best for them.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They\u2019re one of the best in the business, and their curriculum has had a big impact on <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nerdfitness.com\/coaching-overview-page\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nerd Fitness Coaching<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>#2) INTERNATIONAL SPORTS SCIENCES ASSOCIATION\u2019S (ISSA) NUTRITIONIST CERTIFICATION<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>ISSA is an education company that does certifications for personal training and strength coaching.<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They also offer a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.issaonline.com\/certification\/nutritionist\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nutrition Certification<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that is pretty well done.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>#3) THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SPORTS MEDICINE (NASM) NUTRITION CERTIFICATION<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>NASM is another name well-respected in the fitness industry.\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While they mainly certify <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nerdfitness.com\/blog\/how-to-hire-a-good-personal-trainer\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">personal trainers<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, they also offer a comprehensive nutrition certification.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-3602631\" src=\"https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/wayne-thumbs-up.gif\" alt=\"Wayne giving the thumbs up\" width=\"480\" height=\"264\" \/><\/p>\n<p><b>Now, these three companies aren\u2019t the only organizations that do good work with nutrition certifications. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But this can start to give us an idea of things to look out for when seeking out a nutrition coach.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><a name=\"signs_of_a_good_nutrition_coach\"><\/a>Signs of a Good Nutrition Coach (and Signs of a Bad One)<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-4047357\" src=\"https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/lego-scientist-scaled-1.jpg\" alt=\"Lego scientist on her working place\" width=\"717\" height=\"379\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/lego-scientist-scaled-1.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/lego-scientist-300x159-1.jpg 300w, https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/lego-scientist-713x377-1.jpg 713w, https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/lego-scientist-768x406-1.jpg 768w, https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/lego-scientist-1536x812-1.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/lego-scientist-2048x1083-1.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/lego-scientist-600x317-1.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 717px) 100vw, 717px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><b>Not all nutrition coaches will be created equal:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">good coach<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> will work with us to develop a healthier relationship with food, focusing on habits that will help us reach our goals.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">bad coach<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> will just tell us to eat more broccoli (thanks Coach, super helpful).<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Outside of the credentials we discussed in the last section, here are some other signs to look out for:<\/b><\/p>\n<h3><b>#1) <\/b><b>They ask us a lot of questions<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><b>A good nutrition coach will want to learn about us before they recommend anything.<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They\u2019ll ask us questions like:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What are your goals?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What\u2019s been your previous experience with weight loss or gain?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How do you normally eat today?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What\u2019s your schedule like?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What other priorities do you have?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Without this information, it\u2019s very difficult to help someone.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If a nutrition coach doesn\u2019t ask us a bunch of questions, that\u2019s a huge giant red flag.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>#2) <\/b><b>They\u2019ll work with us to create an action plan<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><b>The name of the game here is \u201clong-lasting change.\u201d<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To do that, habits need to be created TOGETHER.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If our coach just tells us what to do, without any input from us, it might fall flat.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For example:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If a coach tells us to batch cook on Sunday, but we don\u2019t know how to work an oven, this won\u2019t fly (here\u2019s <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nerdfitness.com\/blog\/10-meals\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">how to cook some easy meals<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> btw).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Let\u2019s say we want to eat dinner with our family. Well, our coach&#8217;s advice to eat the same thing over and over might cause our kids to revolt (\u201cChicken AGAIN&#8230;gag\u201d).<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If a coach creates a plan that never addresses <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">what we can do<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">what we want to do<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, it\u2019s destined to fail.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>#3) <\/b><b>They\u2019ll monitor our progress<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><b>Any halfway-decent coach is going to check in frequently for a status update.<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As they say, that which gets measured gets managed, so a good nutrition coach will gather data on things like:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Body Measurements. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How much we weigh, waist circumference, etc.<\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Strength. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If we\u2019re trying to grow strong, our coach might check to see if we\u2019re increasing in weight with our resistance training.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Lab test results. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Maybe we have some health metrics, like cholesterol levels, we\u2019re trying to change.<\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Compliance. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Let\u2019s say we have a goal of eating a vegetable with every dinner. Are we actually doing it?<\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Confidence. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Our confidence levels can often be a good indicator of how we\u2019re doing in a program.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>If a nutrition coach doesn&#8217;t check in on how you&#8217;re doing, consider that another big red flag!<br \/>\n<b><\/b><\/p>\n<h3><b>#4) <\/b><b>They\u2019ll base their recommendations on outcomes<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><b>A good nutrition coach is like a scientist.<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Their recommendations are almost like experiments. They\u2019ll ask themselves questions like:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Did my clients perform their assigned tasks?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Is it helping them with their goals?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Are they enjoying themselves?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Like any good scientist, they won\u2019t judge the outcome.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If under certain conditions an experiment catches fire&#8230;well&#8230;we now know what will set the experiment ablaze.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-4047368\" src=\"https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/lab-fire.gif\" alt=\"Scientist watching a lab fire\" width=\"480\" height=\"270\" data-wp-editing=\"1\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>\u201cDay 9&#8230;still catching fire.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<p><b>So a good nutrition coach will constantly reflect on what our feedback means:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Scenario<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> &#8211; \u201cAfter working on it all week, my client still doesn\u2019t have enough time to make breakfast.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Possible Solution<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> &#8211; \u201cPerhaps we should propose making a protein smoothie the night before?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Scenario<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> &#8211; \u201cDespite the changes we\u2019ve made, my client hasn\u2019t been losing weight.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Possible Solution<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> &#8211; \u201cMaybe it\u2019s time for a food journal, so we can both see how many calories they\u2019re eating?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Scenario<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> &#8211; \u201cMy client easily obtained protein with every meal last week.\u201d<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Possible Solution<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> &#8211; \u201cMaybe we should scale this up, and include a vegetable with every meal now too?\u201d<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That\u2019s why a good nutrition coach is constantly changing their action plan, based on the outcomes they see and record.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>#5) <\/b><b>They know when to refer out<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><b>There are some things a nutrition coach <\/b><b><i>can\u2019t<\/i><\/b><b> help us with.<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That would be any kind of medical intervention.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>If we need someone to \u201cprescribe\u201d a diet to treat any kind of disease (Crohn&#8217;s, Hashimoto&#8217;s, etc.), we\u2019ll need an actual Registered Dietitian or other medical professionals to do so.<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While a nutrition coach can help with the implementation of that treatment (\u201cHere are some ways to get more iron in your diet\u201d), the actual treatment needs to come from someone properly qualified.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Plus, a good nutrition coach will understand this. They\u2019ll recognize their own lane and know when it\u2019s time to refer out (and might even have some recommendations if you don\u2019t know who to talk to).<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><a name=\"nutrition_coach_cost\"><\/a>How Much Does a Nutrition Coach Cost?<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-4047358\" src=\"https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/lego-cash-scaled-1.jpg\" alt=\"LEGO money on a green baseplate\" width=\"789\" height=\"390\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/lego-cash-scaled-1.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/lego-cash-300x148-1.jpg 300w, https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/lego-cash-713x353-1.jpg 713w, https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/lego-cash-768x380-1.jpg 768w, https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/lego-cash-1536x759-1.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/lego-cash-2048x1013-1.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/lego-cash-600x297-1.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 789px) 100vw, 789px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><b>The cost of a nutritionist is really going to be variable.<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But you can expect to pay $50 to $150 for a one-hour session with a nutrition coach.<a class=\"fn-ref-mark\" href=\"#footnote-2\" id=\"refmark-2\"><sup>[2]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Note:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Insurance will generally <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">not<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> cover a nutrition coach or nutritionist unless they are a registered dietitian.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This leads to another question\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><i>How much does a registered dietitian cost?<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Again, it\u2019s variable, but you can expect to pay somewhere between $100 to $200 for a one-hour session with a dietitian.<a class=\"fn-ref-mark\" href=\"#footnote-3\" id=\"refmark-3\"><sup>[3]<\/sup><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">might <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">be covered by insurance, but usually only when there\u2019s a diagnosis that requires nutrition counseling.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>If the cost of a nutritionist seems too high, it might be worth considering\u2026<\/b><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><a name=\"do_i_need_a_nutrition_coach\"><\/a>Do We Even Need a Nutrition Coach? (or How to Simplify Nutrition)<\/h2>\n<p>\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Stop Complicating Your Nutrition (3 Steps to Take Today)\" width=\"950\" height=\"534\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/0P6aixJhTbw?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/p>\n<p><b>Before we go out and hire a nutrition coach, it might be worth asking ourselves a couple of questions:\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Am I making this harder than it needs to be?<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Could I benefit from making nutrition super simple?<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As Coach Staci explains in the video above, overcomplicating nutrition could look like this:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Weighing all our food.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Calculating the correct macronutrient split.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Daily fasts.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Now, there\u2019s a time and place for all this. But there\u2019s also a time and place to ignore it.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-4047369\" src=\"https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/ron-ignore.gif\" alt=\"Ron Swanson ignoring someone\" width=\"288\" height=\"229\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Coach Staci has had clients absolutely convinced they had to weigh their food to lose weight.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They\u2019ll start out good, weighing everything they eat. This generally only lasts for a week or so, because they quickly grow annoyed at the overwhelming amount of work involved!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So they quit.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Instead of this, maybe we start off smaller and simpler.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>To improve nutrition, try these three things:<\/b><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Have a glass of water with every meal.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Have a lean source of protein at every meal.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Have a vegetable with every meal.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That\u2019s it! Let\u2019s just do those three things.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Don\u2019t worry about <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nerdfitness.com\/blog\/the-beginners-guide-to-the-keto-diet-or-ketogenic-diet\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Keto<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nerdfitness.com\/blog\/the-beginners-guide-to-the-paleo-diet\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Paleo<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, or <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nerdfitness.com\/blog\/how-to-eat-a-plant-based-diet-a-scientific-look-at-going-vegan-safely\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Plant-Based<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Just make sure to <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nerdfitness.com\/blog\/everything-you-need-to-know-about-hydration\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>drink enough water<\/b><\/a><b>, get <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nerdfitness.com\/blog\/protein-calculator\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>plenty of protein<\/b><\/a><b>, and <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nerdfitness.com\/blog\/vegetable-haters-how-to-start-eating-vegetables\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>eat lots of veggies<\/b><\/a><b>.<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Then we can worry about all sorts of complicated nutrition stuff.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><a name=\"nutrition_coach_worth_it\"><\/a>Is a Nutrition Coach Worth It?<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-4047359\" src=\"https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/lego-money-scaled-1.jpg\" alt=\"Two LEGOs exchanging coins\" width=\"798\" height=\"405\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/lego-money-scaled-1.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/lego-money-300x152-1.jpg 300w, https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/lego-money-713x362-1.jpg 713w, https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/lego-money-768x390-1.jpg 768w, https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/lego-money-1536x779-1.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/lego-money-2048x1039-1.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/lego-money-600x304-1.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 798px) 100vw, 798px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><b>Ultimately, the question of whether or not a nutrition coach is worth it will come down to a few things:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Our goals<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What we need help with<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What kind of coach is available to us<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If it can be done on our own, great!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I\u2019ve seen all sorts of Rebels grab a map and make their way to Mordor.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But, I\u2019ve also seen lots of Rebels who\u2019ve benefited from their very own Gandalf.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-3664617\" src=\"https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/gandalf.gif\" alt=\"A gif of Gandalf.\" width=\"319\" height=\"208\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Someone who knows the way, and has helped people achieve similar goals.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A good nutrition coach can 100% be this&#8230;if we find the right one.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Remember, \u201cnutritionist\u201d isn\u2019t always a regulated term, so do a little research before jumping in.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><b>Here\u2019s something else to conside<\/b><b>r<\/b><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<strong> some <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nerdfitness.com\/blog\/how-to-hire-a-good-personal-trainer\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">personal trainers<\/a> ALSO offer<\/strong><\/span><b>\u00a0nutrition coaching.<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many coaches are combining traditional personal training services like programming workouts alongside nutrition counseling, since the two can often be dependent on one another.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>That\u2019s more or less the basis of <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nerdfitness.com\/coaching-overview-page\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>NF Coaching<\/b><\/a><b>.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Our coaches customize exercise routines, plus help our clients build healthy habits around nutritious eating (done all online).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We\u2019ve found that lasting success often combines BOTH diet and exercise, so we don\u2019t ignore either.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Plus, it\u2019s often a better value to bundle both services together.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>If you\u2019re interested in seeing if one of our coaches can help you adjust your nutrition ( while also growing stronger), you can see if we\u2019re a good fit for each other right here:<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\t<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nerdfitness.com\/coaching-overview-page\/\" rel=\"noopener\"><br \/>\n\t\t<button class=\"cta-button yellow\"><br \/>\n\t\t\tSee how a Nerd Fitness Coach can help you develop healthy eating habits.\t\t<\/button><br \/>\n\t<\/a><br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><a name=\"hire_a_nutrition_coach\"><\/a>How to Hire a Nutrition Coach (Next Steps)<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-3568571\" src=\"https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/legos-training-together.jpg\" alt=\"Two Legos about to workout together.\" width=\"768\" height=\"320\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/legos-training-together.jpg 768w, https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/legos-training-together-300x125-1.jpg 300w, https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/legos-training-together-713x297-1.jpg 713w, https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/legos-training-together-600x250-1.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><b>So you\u2019ve decided you want to hire a nutrition coach?<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sweet!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><b>Here\u2019s what to do<\/b><\/span><b>:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Determine goals. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We don\u2019t want to start this process blindly. Figure out some goals and write them down. Any good coach is going to ask us about them right away.<\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Formulate the scope. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Do we need a medical professional for a prescribed way of eating? Or can a more generalized approach work? Do we want to meet someone in person or online?<\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Compare qualifications. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Anyone can throw the word \u201cnutrition coach\u201d on their resume. So look at their qualifications. Are they certified? Do they have a track record for helping people? Don\u2019t hire the first nutrition coach found. Do some research!<\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Determine what \u201csuccess\u201d looks like. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How will we know if we\u2019re on the right track? Is it eating more vegetables? Losing 10 pounds? Ask what a successful result will look like.<\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Get started. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Write out some goals, do your research, and then act! Hiring a nutrition coach isn\u2019t like getting married &#8211; we can always leave our coach after a month or two. Don\u2019t let the search for the \u201cperfect coach\u201d prevent us from getting started.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>That should help with hiring a nutrition coach.<br \/>\n<b><\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>Alright, I want to hear from you now:<\/b><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Are you considering hiring a nutrition coach?<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What behaviors do you need help with?<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Any tips for hiring a good coach I\u2019m missing?<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Let me know in the comments!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>-Paul Aguilar<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>PS: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Make sure you check out <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nerdfitness.com\/blog\/healthy-eating\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b><i>The Nerd\u2019s Guide to Healthy Eating<\/i><\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for tips on how to make small tips on how to improve your nutrition.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">###<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Photo source: <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/fourbrickstall\/48749903392\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In 2015, the first woman coach was hired by a Major League Baseball team.<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, \u00a9Ekaterina Minaeva\/123RF.COM, <a href=\"https:\/\/fourbrickstall.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Four Bricks Tall<\/a>, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/thereeljames\/49710608511\/in\/photostream\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Not All Heroes Wear Capes<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, Mr. Bundit Chailaipanich\/123RF.COM, \u00a9rosinka79\/123RF.COM, \u00a9Lightfieldstudios\/123RF.COM, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/clement127\/27443677406\/in\/photostream\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">bicycle<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"footnote-list\" style=\"display:none;\"><span id=\"fn-heading\">Footnotes<\/span> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;( returns to text)<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li id=\"footnote-1\" class=\"fn-text\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdrnet.org\/\">More here<\/a>.<a href=\"#refmark-1\"><\/a><\/li>\n<li id=\"footnote-2\" class=\"fn-text\">This number <a href=\"https:\/\/www.precisionnutrition.com\/how-much-charge-nutrition-coaching\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">came from Precision Nutrition<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, who surveyed what their certified coaches charge for service.<a href=\"#refmark-2\"><\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li id=\"footnote-3\" class=\"fn-text\">Taken from <a href=\"https:\/\/health.costhelper.com\/nutritionist.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cost Helper<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<a href=\"#refmark-3\"><\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n<p>The post <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nerdfitness.com\/blog\/what-does-a-nutrition-coach-do\/\">What Can I Expect From Nutrition Coaching? (5 Benefits)<\/a> first appeared on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nerdfitness.com\">Nerd Fitness<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>So you\u2019re interested in nutrition coaching? Great! It\u2019s a smart move for the right person.\u00a0 I\u2019ve seen the power of it firsthand in our Online Coaching Program, with folks making small nutrition adjustments with big results. But before you go and hire a nutrition coach, read this guide! You see, in many places \u201cnutritionist\u201d is [\u2026]<br \/>\nThe post What Can I Expect From Nutrition Coaching? (5 Benefits) first appeared on Nerd Fitness.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":15725,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"wprm-recipe-roundup-name":"","wprm-recipe-roundup-description":""},"categories":[20,1,21,22,19],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15723"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=15723"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"http:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15723\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":15781,"href":"http:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15723\/revisions\/15781"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/15725"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=15723"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=15723"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=15723"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}