Nutrition Coach (yep that’s me at F4L)
A nutrition coach is qualified to provide nutrition plans and advice for the support of health and performance. This differs from being a ‘Nutritionist’ in that the scope of practice for a nutrition coach doesn’t include treating disease and disorder, although a nutrition coach can support the health of someone with a medical condition if working as part of a healthcare team and not directly ‘treating’ the condition with nutritional medicine or supplementation. Nutrition coaching also provides an initial step into nutrition while working towards becoming a fully qualified Clinical Nutritionist.
Note: Most nutrition coaches also study Health Coaching or other modalities as Sports Nutrition and achieve registration via these.
Registered Health Coach (yep me again, just registering now to make it official)
According to Vanderbilt University Medical Centre, “a Health Coach is a partner in an individual’s behaviour change process”. They are qualified and credentialed health care practitioners who are trained broadly in the key aspects of health (nutrition, stress, movement, sleep etc.) and who have training in the science of behaviour change. Health coaching is founded on evidence drawn from behavioural and positive psychology and uses a client-centred approach to help people find their goals and their path towards those goals while supporting them with tools and tactics for powerful change.
What it’s not:
Unfortunately, many people use the term ‘health coach’ as a fallback if they don’t have sufficient qualifications to register as a nutritionist or clinical nutritionist. But they may not have studied evidence-based health coaching and so, are unable to register as health coaches.
Accredited Sports Nutritionist
A Sports Nutritionist is qualified to provide nutrition plans and advice for the support of health and performance and nutrition plans and supplementation to improve sports performance and body composition. Graduates of accredited programs will be able to register with the Sports Nutrition Association.
Registered Clinical Nutritionist
A Registered Clinical Nutritionist holds a nutrition qualification that includes a large volume of clinical training. They work in private practice and/or in a corporate setting providing evidence-based holistic nutrition, personalised health assessment, and lifestyle interventions to support health, wellbeing, and performance. The scope of practice for a Registered Clinical Nutritionist includes providing nutrition and supplement regimens to help treat disease and disorder.
Note: Many people calling themselves ‘nutritionists’ are not registered. Look for the following terms to determine the qualifications and minimum standards for a nutritionist; Registered Dietitian, Registered Nutritionist, or Registered Clinical Nutritionist.
