What's the Big Fuss Over Nutrition

O.K.  Let's start with these two biases:

1.) My company markets and sells supplements.  So, anything stated here can be interpreted as sales jargon.  Fair enough.

2.)  Food first.  Any conversation regarding supplements without the presumption of clean/proper nutrition is irrelevant.

Now, my point.  It's really a question.  Can you, as a fitness professional, really look yourself in the mirror and call yourself a "professional" without addressing the whole issue of nutrition? I'm not talking supplements (yet).  I mean appropriate nutrition --  optimal caloric intake in some sort of balance of protein, carbs and fat.  It's not rocket science.

Nonetheless, the fitness industry and certification agencies continue to state that nutrition is "outside the scope of practice" for trainers, coaches and fitness professionals in general.  This may be true as it relates to special populations - diabetics, people with food sensitivities, morbid obesity, elderly, etc.  You can easily screen for these populations. 

But, what about the person who is fairly normal, about 30% to 38% body-fat and simply wants to lose some body-fat (get slimmer) through fitness protocols.  Is it really out of scope to help this person?  Have you ever heard of a trainer going to jail for helping a client eat right?  Me either.  And, please, let's just forget the whole pyramid concept. 

Here's what I've learned.  Most trainers (not all) know quite a bit about nutrition.  Way more than doctors... and, as it relates to fitness, sports and athletics, way more than many registered/certified dieticians/nutritionists, too!

So, if a trainer/coach is helping with nutritional planning, when it comes to supplementation, they can usually make qualified recommendations based on what is being consumed, the exercise protocol and, most likely the day-to-day stresses of work, family, etc (we hear about it all the time).

Is it any wonder we see so much better long-term fitness results (especially weight-management) coming from fitness protocol?   Especially from those professionals who choose to address health in a holistic manner.  Nutrition, exercise and sensible supplementation.