I need to find a more advanced nutrition course. I’ve never taken a basic one, but I’m already very experienced.
NASM, Ace, ISSA and other basic nutrition courses seems to be very basic. I need to find a course that is more advanced for someone who already is very experienced helping clients with nutrition. I don’t have a basic nutrition cert. but I don’t want to be wasting my time paying for, and studying things I already know. Any suggestions on how to approach this situation?
Wow! Thanks for all the great help everyone! Becoming an RD does sound appealing, but I more recently made the decision to take a break from full on “school” to focus on my business, and to find part time/online certification type work I can get done to further my knowledge and credentials. Maybe I need to bite the bullet and get back into school for all of this nutritional work. The difficult part about my situation is that I’m still undecided about where I’m looking to end up on my career path. I currently run my own private, in-home/in-gym personal training business, and I’m trying to figure out how to get into the consulting aspect of fitness.
Thanks for letting me vent everyone! Any other suggestions or help are welcome!
Brandon
It does sound like Karen is right that the RD degree may be what you are looking for. There are classes that are, as you describe them “very basic”, and which do little to increase the scope of practice of a group exercise instructor or personal trainer. What they do is provide some background and terminology to help provide general information on the interconnection of diet and exercise, about which it sounds like you have educated yourself, I assume through reading and self study, while things like analyzing food habits, and setting menus need to be referred to a professional with a degree in nutrition. You might want to search local colleges, or even community colleges to see options available for degree programs. If you have a strong background in food science it will certainly help you to tackle the work of the program.
There is another pathway…. you could look for programs in ayurveda. To practice and teach this is not the same as a degree in nutrition, but rather a different way of approaching food. It is a way of diet many yoga practitioners follow.
Hi Brandon,
since you say that you are very experienced helping your clients with nutrition, I was wondering whether you are already a Registered Dietitian. But re-reading your question, you mention that you do not have a basic certification which leads me to believe that you have acquired your knowledge outside of formal settings.
While there is nothing wrong with that by itself, this may limit you taking things a step further. Since giving nutrition advice beyond the generic recommendations is outside the scope of a personal trainer, I would suggest that you pursue becoming an RD. From that point on, you can pursue many advanced degrees.
Karin Singleton
www.meltnc.com
There are a myriad of nutrition education courses being offered on-line and in residence. I don’t know exactly what you mean by “more advanced.” Are you referring to the biochemistries of protein and amino acid metabolism? Routes of absorption and assimilation of various nutrients and co-factors? You’re asking a whole lot of questions all wrapped up in one.
I’d suggest searches on “nutrition education” and “advanced nutrition education” to see what’s available and what may best fit your needs.
Good luck.