Become a Certified
Sports Nutrition Coach

ISSA Nutritionist Certification

Turn food into your hidden superpower

Want to help your clients reach their wildest health goals?
Then you need to go beyond great workout plans.

* 20 Credits *

Build Your Legacy In Fitness !

International Credits of the Course

All courses are officially approved and accredited by ISSA (International Sports Sciences Association, a USA-based organization), one of the most recognized and respected fitness certification bodies worldwide.

ISSA certifications are internationally recognized and accepted in the United States, Canada, the European Union, Australia, and many other countries, making them a valuable credential for fitness professionals seeking to expand their careers globally.

This globally recognized certification enables fitness professionals to access international job opportunities, work with elite clients, and enhance their expertise in the fitness industry.

With ISSA’s strong reputation in science-based fitness education, graduates of this course will gain the knowledge and credentials needed to work in gyms, personal training studios, rehabilitation centers, and sports teams worldwide.

How It Works

  • Enroll now and get instant access
  • Study at your own pace
  • Use your dedicated Success Coach for study help
  • Take chapter quizzes to see your progress
  • Pass the open-book, untimed Final Exam from anywhere!

Why Specialize as a Nutritionist?

Great personal trainers know you can’t out-exercise a bad diet. This means clients need nutrition advice. If they don’t get tips on what to eat from you, they’ll look elsewhere to another professional or questionable online resources.

When you specialize as a Nutritionist, you offer an additional service to existing clients. This means you can increase your rates AND have a new, standalone service offering.

✔️ A Nutritionist Certification is the answer if you want to:

✔️ Make more money

✔️ Add status to your resume

✔️ Deliver online nutrition services – anywhere

✔️ Perfect your own nutrition program

What You'll Learn From This Course

The ISSA Nutritionist Certification course will teach you the science of food intake PLUS deep dive into the mental aspects involved in client behavior change. You'll learn how to use food as fuel and the psychological strategies behind food selection and habits. As an ISSA Nutritionist, you'll make a lasting difference in your clients' lives by mastering the art of creating personalized nutrition programs in a world of varying diet trends.

Explore topics such as:

✔️ Macronutrients and Micronutrients

✔️ Lifestyle Changes and Strategies

✔️ Client Assessments and Goal Setting

✔️ Product Labels and Claims

✔️ Dietary Guidelines and Applications

✔️ Trending Diets and Myths

✔️ Supplementation

✔️Business of Nutrition Coaching

COURSE CONTENTS

How Humans Select Food

Functional Foods

Culture, Economics, and Religion

Cell Composition

The Digestive System

Nutrition and Energy Balance

Cellular Energy Currency

Converting ATP into Energy

The Energy Systems

Carbohydrates

The Role of Glycogen in the Body

Carbohydrate Digestion

Glycemic Index

Glycemic Load

Food Sources of Carbohydrates

Recommended Dietary Allowances for Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates and Athletes

Protein

The Role of Protein in the Body

Amino Acids

Amino Acid Review

Proteins, Amino Acids, and Energy

The Quality of Proteins

Protein Digestion

Food Sources of Protein

Recommended Dietary Allowances for Protein

Protein and Athletes

Fats

The Role of Lipids in the Body

Essential Fatty Acids

Nonessential Fatty Acids

Digestion of Fats

Nutritional Sources of Fats

Recommended Dietary Allowances

Vitamin Classifications

Fat-Soluble Vitamins

Water-Soluble Vitamins

Vitamin-Like Compounds

Dietary Guidelines for Vitamins

Major Minerals

Minor Minerals

Electrolytes

Water

The Role of Water in the Body

Digestion and Absorption of Water

Dietary Sources of Water

Hydration and Athletes

What Is Nutrition Coaching?

Scope of Practice

Referring Clients

Qualities of an Effective Nutrition Coach

Ethical Considerations of a Nutrition Coach

The Stages of Change Model

Determining Motivation

The Elements of Motivation

Motivational Interviewing Strategies

Assessments

Setting Goals

Goal-Setting Steps

Forms

Styles of Nutrition Coaching

Writing a Business Plan

Building a Client List

Common Business Mistakes to Avoid

Purpose of Dietary Guidelines

Five Focus Areas of the Dietary Guidelines

The Food Pyramid to MyPlate

MyPlate Tools and Resources

All Foods Are Not Equal

The Rise of Dietary Supplements

Food versus Supplements

Food and Supplement Labeling

The FDA and the Federal Trade Commission

Food and Supplement Claims

Organic Agriculture in the United States

What Is a Dietary Supplement?

Vitamins and Minerals

Botanicals

Sports Nutrition

Weight Management

Defining “Diet”

Fad Diets

Current Trending Diets

Navigating a Successful Diet

The Most Effective Diets

Beyond the Scope of Practice

Health Management

Life Span Considerations

Food Allergies and Hypersensitivities

Other Special Scenarios

Who Are ISSA Nutritionists?

ISSA Nutritionists have a passion for improving the quality of their clients’ lives beyond the gym walls. Knowing how the body metabolizes food for fuel, muscle development and fat loss allows ISSA Nutritionists the ability to help their clients reach and see real results.

ISSA Nutritionists help bridge the gap between their clients knowing WHAT to eat and HOW to make those choices daily.

Premium Resources and Expert Support

Your primary online (or optional physical) reading material is the 394-page Fitness Nutrition textbook by ISSA. You’ll get the latest in nutrition science brought to life through interactive and engaging study materials.

ISSA’s Nutrition Bootcamp provides you with the ultimate LIVE guide to studying, understanding, and passing your course. Over the course of five weeks, you’ll receive direct access to ISSA’s Nutritionist geniuses, take part in live study tutorials that deep-dive into specific concepts of the course, and find out EXACTLY what you need to pass your final exam with flying colors.

This online handy reference guide walks you through the course unit-by-unit, allowing you to gain a better understanding of corrective exercise concepts.

ISSA Professional Nutritionist forms to use when evaluating clients and planning their journey to better health.

The practice Exam and quizzes test your understanding of the materials; so while you’re reading you’re preparing for the exam at the same time.

ISSA Master Trainers are online and ready for your questions anytime. Post your questions and receive guidance from both our on-staff personal training experts and the worldwide ISSA community.

All ISSA students have access to unlimited educational support. If you have questions about the course materials, our on-staff professors can guide you through. This support continues even after you earn your personal trainer certification.

ISSA’s certification exam solidifies your proficiency as a fitness professional. Choose a paper-and-pencil exam or utilize our secure online testing portal. One No-cost Retest (if necessary).

COURSE AUDIENCE (for whom this course can be useful)

Sports-Nutrition-Coach6

Aspiring Sports Nutrition Coaches and Fitness Professionals looking to build a career in nutrition for athletic performance and overall health.

Individuals aiming to enhance their expertise in designing and implementing personalized nutrition plans for athletes and active individuals.

Those seeking reputable certifications to strengthen their professional credibility in sports nutrition and dietary coaching.

Coaches, trainers, and health professionals striving to improve clients’ nutrition knowledge, fueling strategies, and recovery techniques.

Motivated individuals committed to helping clients optimize performance, achieve fitness goals, and develop sustainable healthy eating habits.

Approved by the International Sports Sciences
Association (ISSA), USA.