Limitations on providing diet recommendations - Personal Trainer Community - Forum

[wab0111]

I am studying for the ACSM CPT exam using their recommended prep references as well as some related college text books focussed on resistance training.

I am interested in becoming a personal trainer and eventually starting my own business. I have experience and success in sales and business management and I'm a fitness enthusiast.

Can a CPT create a diet plan for their clients legally or is this fuction restricted to 4 year degreed dieticians? If it is restricted to the 4 year degreed dietician, is it logical that I could create a diet plan for customers and have them signed off by a 4 year degreed dieticians? Basically, could in the beginning I outsource the authorization part of it and still do most of the work so I don't have to pay the dieticians overhead? I figured as the business grows, I could hire a degreed dietician that could also provide PT services.

Thank you in advance.

[Christina]

Hi and welcome,

Can a CPT create a diet plan for their clients legally or is this fuction restricted to 4 year degreed dieticians? If it is restricted to the 4 year degreed dietician, is it logical that I could create a diet plan for customers and have them signed off by a 4 year degreed dieticians? Basically, could in the beginning I outsource the authorization part of it and still do most of the work so I don't have to pay the dieticians overhead? I figured as the business grows, I could hire a degreed dietician that could also provide PT services.

As far as meal plans are concerned, I always seem to hear different answers for this one. I have read that laws vary from state to state so I would suggest you do some research for where you live.

When my clients need help with their eating habits I suggest they see the dietitian that I partner with. She does not give me any money for referrals and vice versa. The way I look at it is if my clients are getting results they are going to be much more inclined to continue training with me. I also don't ever want my clients to think that I am referring them to the dietitian because I get a kickback.

When I first started training I used to give my clients all kinds of advice on eating. I have found that when I use a dietitian 2 things happen: 1) We have more time in our sessions for exercise 2) Clients seem to be held more accountable to their nutritional habits by dietitians. Why? I don't know. Maybe they figure I'm the exercise person and she's the nutrition person. Maybe it's because the clients who are serious about change see the dietitian. I am not sure what it is. But I can tell you that when a client is not eating properly it is enough to make you want to pull your hair out! By the way, dietitians are usually pretty affordable and the client only goes every few weeks. I know you mentioned that you want to hire one eventually but in the meantime partnering might be something to consider.

Hope this helps.

Christina

[Joe Cannon MS CSCS]

It depends on the state you live. some states have very strict regulations on who can do what as it pertains to nutrition. Another factor (for those who work in gyms) is the policy of the gym. sometimes gyms hire RDs etc to do nutrition education and counseling and often want personal trainers to push nutrition related questions to the RDs.
I would say in stead of doing the nutrition stuff yourself you become friends with an RD who can help you. I write fitness articles for a nutrition magazine and RDs often email me privately for exercise information. if you can send nutrition questions etc to an RD and she/he send exercise questions your way, you both have a much better chance of helping people the most. you can find an RD in your area by going to eatright.org
hope that helps
Joe

[megfit]

It depends on the state you live. some states have very strict regulations on who can do what as it pertains to nutrition. Another factor (for those who work in gyms) is the policy of the gym. sometimes gyms hire RDs etc to do nutrition education and counseling and often want personal trainers to push nutrition related questions to the RDs.
I would say in stead of doing the nutrition stuff yourself you become friends with an RD who can help you. I write fitness articles for a nutrition magazine and RDs often email me privately for exercise information. if you can send nutrition questions etc to an RD and she/he send exercise questions your way, you both have a much better chance of helping people the most. you can find an RD in your area by going to eatright.org
hope that helps
Joe

One other thing to consider, besides what Joe mentioned, is that by aligning yourself with an RD, this increases your perception as a professional to your clients and the community.

Margie

[fittwinn]

Hello! I am new to the site but have been a CPT with AFAA since 1998. In various gyms I've worked, they have all advocated different "diets". Now that I am in business for myself, I want to be able to offer general diet guidelines and have always promoted " calories in vs calories out" and low glycemic carbs, low fat and moderate protein intake. I understand that diet has a significant part in obtaining weight loss, which many of my clients desire. Are there specific guidelines, tips, plans that any of you promote? I have already come across clients who don't have the money to visit a R.D. I also calculate resting metabolic rates for them and suggest a pound or 2 per week loss at the most and discuss the 500 calorie deficit needed etc. Any advice? Thank you in advance!