I want to get certified in order to “legally” give out nutrition advice to my clients. I’m not sure which to get, I’m hovering over either CISSN, PN (precision nutrition), NESTA, ISSA…What do you recommend?
Personally, I have the CISSN so I may be a bit partial to it however after getting the CISSN I decided to forego the ISSA cert. The ISSN routinely presents the newest and most scientifically-backed research regarding sports nutrition and supplementation. With that being said their conferences typically feature presenters such as Layne Norton, Tim Ziegenfuss and Erik Ledin, to name a few.
Precision Nutrition is also a highly-credible cert, however it focuses more on the coaching aspect of nutrition whereas the CISSN focuses highly on the science. This is not to say that the PN cert is scientifically-weak as it too is very reputable. Either way, you’ll be in good hands.
Do you think the ISSA or PN is as recognized as the CISSN?
[quote]Alex89 wrote:
I want to get certified in order to “legally” give out nutrition advice to my clients. I’m not sure which to get, I’m hovering over either CISSN, PN (precision nutrition), NESTA, ISSA…What do you recommend?[/quote]
Your answer depends highly on the state you live in and what certificates that state accepts. Most “nutritional certificates” aren’t worth the paper they are printed on.
Make sure and get insurance to cover yourself in case one of your clients miss-interpenetrates your advice and harms themselves. A certificate won’t protect you from a lawsuit but the proper insurance will.
PN and CISSN are the two best known that I’ve researched. I live in Canada so I’m not sure how different it is from the States. I just want to make meal plans for my clients who are healthy, because that is what most want.
[quote]Alex89 wrote:
PN and CISSN are the two best known that I’ve researched. I live in Canada so I’m not sure how different it is from the States. I just want to make meal plans for my clients who are healthy, because that is what most want.[/quote]
Hey bud, keep in mind that there is a difference between what people “want” and what people “need”. Most people I’ve worked with want a “quick-fix” to their problems thus request a meal plan that is nicely written up for them; however, what they really need is someone to intrinsically motivate them help them to adopt, practice, and maintain healthy lifestyle (i.e. nutrition and exercise)behaviors that will result in more positive and long-lasting outcomes. If we focus on the behaviors (e.g. adding veggies with each meal) rather than the outcomes (i.e. lose 5 lbs) then the results will be there and stay there because they’ve learned the process and are more confident in doing what needs to be doing to reach their goal(s). Does that make sense?
On that note, I would highly recommend PN’s Level 1 cert.
Good luck in whatever path you choose!
Thanks Serd. I chose the CISSN, I think I’ll take PN at a later date. Would I be allowed to make meal plans even though I’m not a RD?
[quote]Alex89 wrote:
Thanks Serd. I chose the CISSN, I think I’ll take PN at a later date. Would I be allowed to make meal plans even though I’m not a RD?[/quote]
- Check with your local government!
- Get insurance.
FFS, Serd doesn’t even live in the same country as you.