First of all, there are many professionals out there, and you definitely would be able to find the one, who would be the best for you. Keep in mind, for most people, when it comes to choosing a nutritionist, it might be similar to choosing a therapist. You don’t particularly need the most experienced and most qualified one, but the one you trust, the one you can connect with. To put it simple, you need the one with whom you ‘clicked’. Why? Because only this person would make you feel empowered to give a go, to try changes, would provide with the support you really value.
How to Find a Nutritionist?
Daria Fennelly • May 3, 2021
The War has changed nutrition
Modern nutritional science is relatively young, the first vitamin was isolated and defined only in the beginning of the 20th century. Modern nutritionists have appeared even a bit later. During the Second World War, many governments created food ministries and hired first nutritionists to ensure the public is provided with a nutritionally adequate diet during rationing.
Main types of nutritionists today
You can easily say that there are two main types of nutritionists today. We have scientists who study how foods affect our bodies, they are likely to be employed by big food brands, and health organisations. We also have private nutritionists, who work with individuals, helping them to build healthy eating habits, make changes to improve their health.
Who can call themselves a nutritionist?
Nutritionist is still not a legally protected term, so theoretically anyone can call themselves a nutritionist. Even once you have a professional with a degree in nutritions, there are a few approved levels of training.
Level 3: means a professional has basic knowledge on the subject, but isn’t accredited by any organisation, and isn’t allowed to practice. It would take about
3-4 months to gain a Level 3 certificate.
Level 4:
means a professional has basic knowledge on the subject, is qualified to enter the nutritional therapy degree. It would take about
1.5 years to gain a Level 4 Diploma.
Level 5:
diploma of higher education in nutrition means a professional is qualified to analyse and assess the data. It would take
2-3 years to gain a Level 5 Diploma.
Level 6: degree with honours. It would take
3+ years to gain a Level 6 Diploma.
Level 7: postgraduate degree.
Level 8: PhD.
Nutritional science is ever evolving, so even professionals with level 8 would need to carry on studying to stay reliable and relevant. A fresh Certificate of Continuing Professional Development is a good way to ensure that the professional is on top of the latest research and studies in the field of nutrition.
How to choose a nutritionist?
A few tips from a nutrition coach how to choose a nutritionist?
- Understand what degree, qualification, diploma, or a certificate the person holds. You want to know how long did it take for them to get the qualification, what modules did it include, what are they allowed and not allowed to do. This information would empower you with knowledge and would allow you to make a weighted decision.
- Choose the person who would help you and support you in your individual choices. Are you interested in the Keto diet? Find a professional who would help you to understand how it works, what’s the research available, how to make it work, and what are the alternatives, potential cons. Remember, it's a professional's job to take your experiences and ideas seriously. What they might do, is to help you understand what things and how affected your health at present. So if you think it’s all because you’ve given up milk, it might as well not be the case.
- Choose the person with a relevant niche. You want someone who is passionate and interested in working with people like you, who has clients similar to you. As mentioned before, nutritional science is ever evolving, and you simply can’t keep up on top of all research available. If you are choosing a professional with a relevant niche, you know that they keep on top of the latest studies and research relevant for you.
- Check if the professional is a member of any relevant associations. You want someone who is well connected within the community for a couple of reasons. They are regularly exposed to other points of view, they are respected by their peers, another way for them to be on top of the latest updates, their colleagues are able to provide them with additional advice.
- And another personal tip from me, ask for an introductory call and discuss in what formats the professional works. If you are after someone who is mainly working online in the evenings, you really want someone who already works like that regularly. You want their arrangements and yours fit in well.
How not to choose a nutritionist? The red flags
- Promotion of a certain diet;
- Words like ‘detox’, ‘cleanse’, ‘alcaline’;
- Focusing on your looks, and not the way you feel;
- Use of complicated terminology;
- Promotion of particular brands and superfoods;
- Villainizing certain products, e.g. sugar;
- Conspiracy theories;
- Focusing on supplement promotion and discounts;
- Basing recommendations on their own experience, one paper or one scientist’s research.
Really hope you found this article useful! Best of luck with finding a right professional for you.
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