Should I answer nutrition questions even though I don't have a nutrition certification?

When clients ask me that question, I generally tell them I can give general nutritional recommendations, but can't prescribe an eating program or regime. Based upon my certifications, that would fall out of my scope of practice. Even though clients do complete a health history, any bit of information omitted that could effect blood sugar, allergies, conflicts w/current medications, etc. could have detrimental side effects. I tell them I can recommend a RD or someone who is qualified to do that.

I think it's appropriate for a trainer to be able to answer basic nutrition questions; let's face it, if our clients are surfing the net, reading the newspaper, reading magazines and books, they are already full of information (some good and factual, some outrageous and erroneous). The least we can do is try to help them decipher what is safe and healthy and worth their energy, time, and money (either we do it, or we refer them to someone whose knowledge and expertise surpasses our's).

Hi Laura,

It is really important to look at the credentials that you have in order to determine whether your are working within your scope of practice.

I suggest you look at your credentials, see what the scope of practice is and take it from there.

Hope this helps.

NO, Be cautious of nutrition advice that you give out. Remember that the popular weightlifting, fitness, diet recommendations that you may have read in a magazine are not supported by the American Dietetic Association, or FDA. I often have my eating disorder clients whom I see in my private practice tell me some of the information that their trainers have told them about food that is incorrect and destructive to their recovery and their relationship with food. Usually people with eating disorders are overweight or at a normal weight and it may be impossible to tell who is dealing with what issues and a client who is ashamed of the way he/she eats may not be forthcoming with that information.

Check your certification to see what you have actually been certified to do. However, to err on the side of caution, stay away from telling a client exactly what to do. You might be able to make suggestions, but if they need more specific information or some kind of plan, refer them to an RD or whoever is legally allowed to do that in your state.

This is always a much discussed question among fitness professionals. In my opinion it's ok to give very basic nutritional information by referring the client to some reputable general information such as the federal government website or nutritionist association for general consumer information. Even this I would do with the caveat that it is best that they seek the advice of a RD or nutritionist.

Most, if not all, personal training and fitness specialist certification course include a chapter or more on nutrition so I don't think that giving the most basic nutritional information (again with the caveat that you are NOT giving the client specific nutrition advice) is ok. As a matter of fact, in my "waiver form" I include a statement that although I may answer a client's general nutrition questions that they understand that I am NOT a nutrition professional and that they should seek the advice of a nutrition professional for specific advice).

I hope this helps.

LaRue, CSCS
www.lecfitness.com
lecfitness@yahoo.com

If you understand the basic science of nutrition and understand what foods are good/not good, then I'd say you should give some advice. It will all depend on your knowledge.

It's great to suggest and educate, but even if you had a nutrition certification-that doesn't legally give you access to designing meal plans yourself. Typically with a good certification they have RD's who design plans you can use. Designing meal plans is not within one's scope of practice unless they are a Registered Dietitian.

This is in response to Jaye Elizabeth's post.
Actually, not only RD's can design mealplans.

I am an NTP aka CNT, recently changed by the state of Wa.
Certified Nutritional Therapy Practitioners & Certified Clinical Nutritionists can indeed design meal plans according to health conditions present and in fact we are para professionals that work alongside our clients physicians and are recommended by their physicians to design mealplans to resolve many health conditions such as:
Hypoglycemia
Food Allergies/Sensitivities
Detoxification Programs
Colitis
Yeast Protocols
Bacteria & Microculture Dysbiosis
and the list goes on.
I just wanted to put this out there because though dieticians are very commonly looked as the authority on mealplans, they are registered with the state and in some states a certification has a higher credential, check with the state you live in. A resource to go is NPI, Numbered Practitioners Identification system and look for what job description each of these certifications and titles are able to do to determine scope of practice and who can and cannot write mealplans. RD's must stay within the USDA food pyriamid guidelines which doesn't always work for every person or certain health conditions.

Yes, but stick to widely recognized information like you get from the Food Pyramid or MyPlate. If someone has a specific nutritional issue (diabetes, heart disease) they really need to speak to their doctor or referred to a registered dietician.

Depending on the question asked NO. Lead them the to where they can get the information or get the information for them then let them know that you are not an nutritionist

You have to talk generally about nutrition to your clients and ensure mostly that they are eating. I have found alot of people trying to lose weight think that starvation is the answer. Pointing them to websites such as "My plate", and suggesting that they eat healthy foods is critical to their success when training.

When clients ask nutrition questions to me, I stick general, like Paige stated, and tell them that I do not have the proper licensing for it, but I can still offer advice and point them as to where they can get further information.
For the most part, clients understand what they should or should not be eating, but just want someone to be on top of them and checking in to make sure they are accomplishing the goals they have set for themselves. I have clients keep a food journal and psychologically it works best because people do not want to write certain things in their journal and see it later on, which gets them to not eat that particular food in the first place. Once they got into the habits and are not keeping the journal, they are making the right choices on their own and out of habit.
When clients ask about shakes and supplements, I can tell them the what each type can offer, but will not tell them which type or brand to go for. For instance, I can explain the different types of protein out their or weight gainers, then they will research it more and go to the stores and purchase it themselves, which leaves me out of the equation.

As long as those questions are addressed in a way that cannot be misinterpreted as a recommendation, you should have no problems.

LaRue always has excellent legal advice, Joanne has great advice when addressing scope of practice and other issues, and Wendy is also correct in that you should alway refer a client with a SPECIFIC question to a Registered Dietitian.

If you don't have the certification to offer the advice, there is still nothing stopping you from offering nutrition education! Be clear about the facts, and don't recommend anything, and you should be fine.

Hi,Laura!
Trainers who certified by NASM and have CFNS may creating meal plan for clients legally.With regards,Miroslava.

yes you can answer basic questions. You can go more indepth the more you are credentialed to, but you cannot prescribe meal plans to anybody with special circumstances not even suggestions.

It's ok to answer your clients nutrition questions, but I'd recommend referring them to a registered dietitian or certified nutritionist. It will definitely help your clients have a better understanding of nutrition. They'll eat and feel better, and reach their fitness goals quicker.

In the process, you'll also build a great rapport with the dietitian or nutritionist, who will thank you for the referral, and in turn will help your business with referrals.

It's a win-win situation for everyone involved!