Become a Certified
Sports Nutrition Coach
ISSA Nutritionist Certification
This certification is particularly relevant for fitness professionals and coaches operating across the GCC region, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, and the broader Middle East fitness market. The program offers flexible online learning aligned with international standards, making it suitable for professionals seeking to expand their expertise in nutrition coaching.
Professional practice and licensing requirements may vary by country and are subject to local regulations.
* 20 Credits *
Eat with purpose. Perform with clarity
How It Works
Why Specialize as a Nutritionist?
Successful personal trainers understand that you cannot out-train a poor diet. No matter how effective a workout program is, long-term results depend heavily on proper nutrition. That’s why clients increasingly look for qualified guidance in both fitness and nutrition. If they don’t receive professional advice from you, they may turn to another expert — or worse, rely on unreliable online information.
By earning a Nutritionist Certification, you expand your expertise and position yourself as a trusted authority in evidence-based nutrition coaching. Specializing as a Nutritionist or even a Sports Nutrition Coach allows you to provide comprehensive services to athletes, fitness clients, and individuals seeking weight management support in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Oman.
When you specialize, you don’t just add knowledge — you add a new revenue stream. You can increase your rates, offer standalone nutrition coaching programs, and deliver online services without geographic limitations.
A Nutritionist Certification is the right choice if you want to:
✔️ Increase your income with an additional professional service
✔️ Strengthen your resume and professional credibility
✔️ Offer online nutrition coaching from anywhere
✔️ Design and optimize your own evidence-based nutrition program
REPS UAE 10 CPD
ISSA 20 CEUs
What You'll Learn From This Course
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)
✅ 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.
Nutritionist Certification – Frequently Asked Questions
The ISSA Nutritionist Certification is a professional program that teaches evidence-based nutrition coaching, meal planning, and client support strategies for health and performance.
This course is ideal for fitness trainers, personal trainers, health coaches, and individuals who want to start a career in nutrition coaching.
Yes. Successful completion provides REPs UAE CPD credits, which can be used as part of the required CPD credits for REPs UAE license renewal.
The program covers macronutrients and micronutrients, weight management, metabolism, behavior change, client assessment, and evidence-based nutrition strategies.
Yes, the course is delivered 100% online, allowing students to study at their own pace and complete the final exam remotely.
Yes, the program is beginner-friendly, although a background in fitness or health can be helpful.
The demand for qualified nutrition professionals is growing in the Middle East, especially in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Oman, making this certification valuable for career growth.
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Approved by the International Sports Sciences
Association (ISSA), USA.
