Finding the RIGHT diet coach to support your weight management journey is vital!
We often trust individuals who may seem knowledgeable or experienced based on various factors such as social media presence.
However, when pursuing weight management goals, I can’t stress enough about the importance of qualifications.
But if anyone gets it, it’s me!
I remember a time when I trusted anyone who called themselves a “nutritionist” to provide trustworthy feedback. But I’ve learned a lot since then!
So, today, I’d like to prevent you from making the same mistakes I did!
Let’s get to it!
What is a diet coach?
A diet coach can actually be any individual who is “into nutrition” or health.
Many times, career titles like diet coach, will be defined by the state that individuals live in. Basically, the state will determine what education or experience they need to call themselves a “diet coach”.
For example, I reside in California and am a registered dietitian (RD). This means I have at least a bachelor’s degree, finished my (LONG) dietetic internship, and passed the national exam (YAY!).
As a registered dietitian, I can call myself a nutritionist.
However…
Anyone in California (degree or not) can also call themselves a nutritionist but cannot call themselves a registered dietitian.
It can be a little confusing, I know!
But this is why it’s so important to know what titles mean.
Liking a topic is not enough to coach someone, but many do. So, let’s be careful!
How to select the right one?
Let’s dig in a little deeper.
Just like any practitioner, registered dietitians select their area of expertise. We may decide to focus on oncology (cancer), pediatric (children/youth), or weight management (like me, yay!).
I enjoy helping individuals so much with their weight management journey, I decided to learn more about coaching after finishing my masters degree in behavioral science.
I believe a mix of education and experience work wonders when coaching others! Especially since I’ve been in your seat!
Feeling confused about “what healthy is” and “who do I trust” is more common than you know. I’ve been there and it drove me to become the dietitian nutrition coach I am today!
So, when selecting your diet coach, consider their background and how they relate to the topic?
Have they been through it?
Can they emphasize?
Are they individualizing their program for your unique needs?
Bottom Line
Finding the right diet coach should take time to research. Investing in your health now is something the future you will thank you for.
The goal to live healthy is not to live forever (of course!) but to consider our quality of life as we age.
We don’t want to be 40, 50, or even 60 with preventable chronic health conditions that impair our day to day lives.
Personally, I’ve seen it too much and it really makes me sad to know people could be happier as they age or that their relationship with food could have been healed if the found the right diet coach for them.
We often decide to pursue health for others (spouse, kids, friends), not just ourselves. The investment involved will pay off but you are in control of your life and you must act, no one else will do it for you.
You are in the driver’s seat, no one else. So do the research and start something new!
You decide to go right, left, straight or go in circles (like being stuck in a roundabout, oh no!).
It’s always a good day to try something DIFFERENT!
Want to start today?
I’m offering a FREE meal prep guide to help jump start your journey, contact me today and say “MEALPREP”
