Nutritional advice is always something of a complicated subject when working with clients. Don’t get me wrong, the subject in itself is quite simple, but it’s the misinformation that makes things confusing.
In this day and age, the majority of clients have been fed some sort of misinformation or fad diet, and this makes it more difficult for them to understand your plan. But giving nutritional advice to your clients will boost your business tenfold.
So, with this being said, in this article I’m going to give you three quick sure-fire tips to help you give the best nutritional advice to your clients that is crystal clear for both you and them.
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Research First – Advice Second
Jumping in with all guns blazing is never the right option. I’m sure you have the right intentions but giving your clients the usual generic advice isn’t worth the time. For instance, telling a client to start using protein shakes is great – but if they’re already using them then it’s hardly breaking news for them. This then becomes worthless advice, as it won’t make any difference to their current nutritional plan.
To become a great PT offering great nutritional advice, it needs to be valuable advice. To do this you need to research your clients current nutritional intake, their eating habits, food preferences, and their goals. Taking the time to research this will add confidence to clients in your services and also help them to reach their goals in the best way possible.
Don’t bombard clients – only give advice on their needs and goals.
Following on from our last point, any advice that isn’t relevant to your client – don’t give it. This just becomes noise to your client and will deflate any valuable advice that you give.
Some of your clients may have a number of areas in their diet that needs improving, but try to limit your advice to one or two changes to begin with. Completely overhauling their diet plan on day one can be too much for people to take. Remember, we are looking for lasting goals – not a fad transformation.
For example, telling your client to “reduce their fat intake” isn’t valuable information. Many of clients will be confused and overwhelmed on how to actually do this. However, if you start with small chunks of advice like “this week I want you to drink coke zero instead of full fat coke” it will become much clearer to your client.
As I mentioned earlier, don’t jump in with all guns blazing. As you know, life long transformations don’t happen overnight and neither should your clients diet transformation – which leads me onto our final tip…
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Be realistic
This is one of the most important tips when giving your client nutritional advice – in fact, it’s extremely important when giving them ANY advice – being realistic.
Your client’s bad eating habits didn’t just start yesterday. They have been built over a number of months or years, therefore, you can’t just transform their intake and expect it to work. It’s good to bare in mind the availability and price of junk food and processed goods. Simply put, the majority of bad foods are cheaper. Therefore, when you’re changing your client’s nutritional intake, it’s good to think about the costs, too.
If you reel off a whole new diet plan on day 1, it can become quite an overwhelming and sudden change, both nutritionally and financially.
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Final word
Rome wasn’t built in a day. Always remember that you’re not here to give quick fixes, you’re here to transform your client’s life both fitness and health-wise.
Bear in mind that success breeds success – so creating small goals for your client to smash will keep them feeling good and sustain moral in your sessions. Providing valuable nutritional advice can transform your business quicker than you expect and keep your regular clients on board for longer, as well as referring you to friends and family.
Patience is a virtue after all!
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