Effective Nutrition Plans?

It should be no secret there is a big difference between the latest diet fad and a real nutrition plan or meal planning strategy that is supported by scientific research and proven methods to get results. As you work with your clients, you’re sure to get asked a lot of questions about nutrition and meal planning. Many of those questions will revolve around the latest and greatest nutrition theories straight from afternoon talk shows, the Internet and “expert” friends. The truth about actual nutrition, however, is that it's fairly simple.

An effective nutrition plan focuses on five things:

• Balance: You're getting the right amount of the right things and limiting the things that can have a negative effect on your health.
• Calorie Control: This isn't just reducing calories it's about making sure you have the right amount of calories throughout the day to keep your system working effectively.
• Moderation: You don't take in an excess amount of those things that can have a negative impact on your health but you also don’t cut them out entirely and forever.
• Variety: Not only are you eliminating the monotony of a diet that can be difficult to maintain for the long term, but by including a variety of foods, flavors and textures in your diet you’re ensuring proper nutrition.
• Adequacy: Make sure you're getting all of the essential nutrients you need to maintain health and replace what is lost on a daily or weekly basis. Many short-term diet strategies recommend cutting or drastically reducing entire food groups leaving room for nutritional deficiencies.

The best meal planning will focus on these five guidelines – and it’s a rock-solid foundation. Even if clients stray now and then, just by using this plan as a guide, they will be learning to eat better, and create the behavioral changes they need for the long haul. No matter what your clients are asking you about their diet, bringing them back to these basics can help them stay on track and achieve the results they want. It’s time to guide clients to a more sustainable, science-backed nutrition plan and away from the short-term diets that often lead to unhealthy cycles of rapid weight loss and steady weight gain. Nutrition, like exercise, takes an ongoing commitment not just for a week or a month but for the long haul. As a personal trainer your clients rely on you to coach them towards change using an effective nutrition and meal plan. Keep it simple, keep them excited, and you'll both get the results you want.