If you’ve been training for some years now and haven’t really thought about the idea of offering a nutrition service, stick around. Whether you are certified as a Registered Dietician or not, you can still help your clients improve their lives with healthier nutrition habits. In turn, you create an entirely new revenue stream for yourself!

If creating a new revenue stream or sales tool for your business seems too overwhelming, then forget about that piece! Nutrition doesn’t need to be part of your business—it can start by being part of your client relationships!

Start with thinking about why you got into personal training in the first place. You most likely have an interest in living a healthier lifestyle and helping others do the same. You probably also get a rush from seeing your clients progress and reach their goals—and you definitely have a vested interest in all of your clients’ health and wellbeing… and your mom’s, and your friends’, and your coworkers.

Take your interest in healthy eating and transfer that into the conversations—it’s almost like a retention tool, just another topic to discuss with your clients. Gauge their interest (and knowledge!) in nutrition and show your own interest, too.

Before we begin, we’d like to make this clear: Be sure to check your local laws and legislations on what you can legally do based on the certification or education you have, as some laws may require you to be a Registered Dietician in order to prescribe a meal plan, for example.

In this article, we want you to give you some ideas on ways you can inspire your clients to start thinking about their nutrition habits and how you can help them with some guidance. Once you get the ball rolling, if you have the appropriate education and can legally do so, next steps might mean a meal plan or more in-depth coaching. Or it may mean you refer out to a Registered Dietician in your area. Always a good idea to build a network! You never know, one day that professional may need to refer one of their clients to you for training or whatever your area of expertise is!

Here are some simple opportunities for guidance to consider:

• Talk about food groups (Share a PDF of your government-regulated food guide)
• Evaluate their current eating habits and provide general guidance (More color! More protein!)
• Discuss the pros and cons of various well-known diets, according to their needs
• Clear up any misconceptions regarding nutrition myths (Carbs are not an enemy!)
• Educate them on how to read food labels
• Educate them on how to navigate through grocery stores and plan grocery lists
• Talk about balance (if they’re going for a carb-heavy dinner, try to load up on veggies for lunch!)

To explore nutrition certification opportunities, check out the Trainerize Education Partner Program and our Top Need-to-Follow Resources list.

As always and as with your fitness training, guidance should always be tailored to each individual’s needs, goals, and capabilities. Set your clients up for success by taking it slow and educating them as you work through. The progress will show, trust me!

🍓 We’re excited to share that a better new way to deliver nutrition coaching is here! From allowing clients to track their meals right within the app to delivering sample, custom meal plan suggestions in seconds and so much more, you’ll empower your clients to make healthier choices and level up on their health. Read our latest blog.