What’s the Best Nutrition Certification?

Now is a great time to become a certified nutrition specialist. One reason is that these roles are projected to increase by 7% (1). The pay is good too, with the median annual wage for nutritionists being $61,650 per year (2). 

Certification requirements can vary. But many employers prefer this credential when hiring a nutrition professional. The question is: what’s the best nutrition certification to get? Unfortunately, the answer isn’t the same for everyone. Here’s why.

Why There’s No One “Best Nutrition Certification” for Everyone

Each nutrition certification program is different. They range in terms of cost, length, curriculum, and more. Every person puts a different level of importance on individual factors. So, something that you might consider important may not be important to someone else looking for a certification program. That’s why it’s impossible to name one program as the best nutrition certification.  

For example, you might want an online certification program. Yet, another person may prefer to earn their certification in person. Both programs result in becoming a certified nutritionist. Yet, an online certification would be best for you while an in-person option would be best for the other person.

Which certification is best can also change based on your career goals. Do you want to provide clients with basic nutrition advice? Then a nutrition specialist certification might be best. Are you a personal trainer who wants to also provide clients with meal plans? Becoming a fitness nutrition specialist can help achieve this goal.

In short, quit looking for one single “best nutrition certification.” Instead, a better approach is to look for the best certification for you. This begins with understanding your options.

Nutritionist Certification Options by Approach 

You can categorize nutrition certification options in several ways. One is by focusing on a specific nutritional approach.

One such option is to pursue holistic nutrition certification. Holistic nutrition is based on the connection of the body, mind, and spirit. Thus, a holistic nutritionist would create a meal plan that supports all three.

Integrative nutrition is another type of approach. Integrative nutrition involves considering all aspects of a person’s life. It considers one’s environment, their relationships, their finances, and more. All this information is combined to create the best nutrition plan for them.

Want to help clients learn how to follow a plant-based diet? Then you might want a plant based nutrition certificate. Certification options can be found for a variety of approaches to food.

Nutritionist Certification Options by Client Type

Nutrition certification options can also be categorized based on client type. And they can get pretty specialized. Let’s run through a scenario to show you what we mean.

Fitness professionals might want to offer nutrition coaching to their clients. In this case, they could become a fitness nutrition specialist. Maybe the personal trainer works only with athletes. In this case, a sports nutrition certification might be more in line with this clientele. Being a certified sports nutrition coach reinforces your expertise in this area.

Going one step further, the fitness trainer may work only with athletes recovering from injury. Finding a nutrition certification that incorporates sports medicine could be helpful.

Maybe you are a health or wellness coach. In this case, an integrative nutrition or holistic nutritionist certification may be more fitting. Both provide the credentials to work with clients who have major health issues. 

Questions to Ask to Find the Best Nutrition Certification for You

With so many options available, you may be wondering which nutrition certification would be best for you. Here are a few questions that can help you decide:

• Do you want to work with a specific type of client? If not, a nutrition specialist certification prepares you to work with all types of clients. But what if you do want to work with a specific type of client? In this case, a more specialized certification might be best. Let’s stick with the example of a personal trainer who wants to expand their services. They might pursue certification as a fitness nutrition specialist. For those working with athletes, a becoming certified sports nutrition specialist might be best.

• What level of support would you like? Some nutritionist certification courses only offer materials. You learn about nutrition science and applied nutrition. However, if you have questions, you don’t have anyone to go to. Other nutritionist certification courses fully support their students. They provide students with a mentor or coach. Look at the certification course to see what type of support it provides. Some online organizations will compare this factor for you. For instance, Fitness Mentors indicates that ISSA’s nutrition certification program has five stars in the support category (3).

• How much are you able to spend? Certainly, investing in your career as a nutrition specialist can be invaluable. However, you still likely have a budget that you can’t exceed. Find a nutrition certification program that fits your financial parameters. It can also be helpful to select one with several payment options. It may be easier to spread your payments over time than to pay a lump sum upfront.

• What topics does the nutrition course cover? Most obviously, it should teach you about human nutrition. It should also touch on health science and nutrition science. If you want to work with active clients, it should include sports nutrition. You can generally find this information in the course curriculum. If the curriculum isn’t available, reach out to the certifying organization. Ask for more information before signing up for the course only to find out that it doesn’t supply the education you need.

• Does your state require a specific license or registration? Many states regulate nutritionists. Some allow specific certifications to qualify for licensure purposes. Check with your state’s board to see if this applies. If it does, it may influence which nutrition certification you pursue. (It should be noted that you may need a degree to get a license or registration in your state. This might require getting a degree in public health, nutrition science, or a similar field.)

Ways to Use Your Nutrition Certification

Once you have your nutrition certification, there are several ways you can use it to your advantage. If you’re applying for a job as a nutrition coach, include it on your resume. Let the potential employer know that you are certified. (This is even more important if they are looking for a certified nutrition coach.)

Mentioning your nutrition certification is also helpful if you’re applying for a different type of coaching position. One example is if you’re applying for a health coach job. A health coach helps people live healthier lifestyles. Good nutrition is part of this. So, adding your nutrition certification to your health coach resume shows that you know how to address this area of the client’s life.

If you are an independent nutrition coach, mention the certification on your website and other marketing materials. The most prominent way to do this is to list your title as Certified Nutrition Coach. Another option is to upload a picture of your actual certification and put it on your “About” page.

If you meet with clients in a home office, display your certification on your wall. If you meet with them in their homes, take a copy of your certification with you. Show it to potential clients to reinforce your knowledge and abilities as a nutrition coach or nutrition consultant.

How to Become a Nutritionist

Ready to get started? ISSA can help you earn your nutrition certification. We offer many certification courses for fitness professionals. One is a Nutritionist Certification. This self-paced course is available online and prepares you to succeed in a certified nutrition coach role.

References

1. Dietitians and Nutritionists : Occupational Outlook Handbook. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2022, September 30). https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/dietitians-and-nutritionists.htm#tab-6 

2. Dietitians and Nutritionists : Occupational Outlook Handbook. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2022, September 30). https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/dietitians-and-nutritionists.htm#tab-5 

3. 6 Best Nutrition Certifications. Fitness Mentors. (2023, June 26). https://www.fitnessmentors.com/best-nutrition-certifications/