Sports Nutritionists/Nutritionists Are Not Dietitians - Please Don't Waste Your Money

Scamwatcher on 22/07/2019 - 18:08
Last edited 22/07/2019 - 23:02

I've been seeing a few courses on the internet designed to take money away from impressionable idiots - often they will sell the idea of becoming a "Sports Nutritionist" for only a few hundred dollars, sounds tempting right?
On the FAQ of their own website they even claim that you need to do their course to call yourself a "Sports Nutritionist" but here's the problem - there is no such thing as a sports nutritionist - it is not a protected term and therefore anyone can call themselves that.
The best place to look for nutrition advice is always an Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD) or a Sports Dietitian - both of these titles are protected and if you use them without the proper registration/credentials - you could get sued.

A good example is personal trainers - they learn the bare basics of nutrition in their courses and are not allowed to give any more specific information than you might find at https://www.eatforhealth.gov.au/
If their client required more specific nutrition information - they would then go see a Dietitian or Sports Dietitian.
The following link is the guidelines that Australian personal trainers are required to follow.
https://fitness.org.au/articles/policies-guidelines/nutritio…

So if you have any questions please ask me -I'm an Accredited Practising Dietitian
and please don't waste your time and money on people who don't know what they're talking about.

Link below is an example of the bullshit artists I'm talking about.
https://sportsnutrition.org.au/

Education & Work

Comments

  • maniacfish on 22/07/2019 - 18:32
    +3

    yeah this stuff can be pretty infuriating to see, people charging for advice that you probably could've googled. not only is it a shitty way of manipulating people who are looking for real help, it also tarnishes the reputation of actual health professionals.

  • FeedingTheSnail on 22/07/2019 - 19:47
    +1

    So we SHOULDN'T be eating Weetbix?
    My life has been a lie!

    • Heaps for Cheaps on 22/07/2019 - 19:51
      +1

      "Eat a rainbow | Nutrition Australia"

      Say no more, Froot loops it is!

      • Scamwatcher on 22/07/2019 - 20:01

        I'm not talking about Nutrition Australia (http://www.nutritionaustralia.org/) as they don't claim to offer courses or credentials that don't exist.
        They're just a charity that is raising awareness of healthy eating.

  • [Deactivated] on 22/07/2019 - 22:42
    +2

    I like that the frontpage for Sports Nutrition is tries to sell you a course for $3k.

    Good stuff.

    • Scamwatcher on 22/07/2019 - 22:55
      +1

      Exactly! Plus the qualification is effectively worthless - no job needs it
      If you're a Personal Trainer and you DO use the shit you learn from "Sports Nutrition Australia", you're working outside of your scope (and could get sued).
      If you want to deliver quality nutrition advice and not get sued, go to uni and become an actual Dietitian.

      • [Deactivated] on 22/07/2019 - 23:02
        +2

        I use to see certain professions the same way you see yours now, in need of boundaries.

        I adapted my mantra, let people seek out charlatans. I know that it is going to make the problems worse and I only have a duty of care to inform someone if they've sought my professional opinion.

        When they come back with bigger problems, I get to charge more.

        • Scamwatcher on 22/07/2019 - 23:06
          +1

          I completely understand. I just want people to be informed and not get sucked into buying some overpriced toilet paper certificate thinking its the real deal.
          There's a lot of misinformation out there, I'm just doing my part to make sure people have all the information.

          • [Deactivated] on 22/07/2019 - 23:08
            +1

            @Scamwatcher: Some people need to buy expensive toilet paper so other people can feed their kids.

            I really don't care what other people do as long as it doesn't affect me.

  • EightImmortals on 23/07/2019 - 07:15
    +1

    So I guess a 'dietician' is involved in a lot more than just helping people lose weight?
    What if my weight was fine but I wanted to improve my nutritional intake specific to my physiology? I'm not talking about avoiding junk food, sugar and booze, you know, things I can figure out myself but rather, can an APD help me to find out foods that I might have some kind of allergy to, or specific nutrients that I might need more/less of?

    Or is that someone else's job?

    • HighAndDry on 23/07/2019 - 11:34
      +1

      Dietitian. They give advice with regard to your diet, whether it's for losing weight, rectifying some nutritional deficit, meeting muscle gain targets, etc.

      But:

      foods that I might have some kind of allergy to, or specific nutrients that I might need more/less of?

      That's more your GP's role. They can do scratch (and other?) tests for allergens, and blood tests for any deficiencies.

      • Scamwatcher on 23/07/2019 - 17:10

        This is correct - if you think you're gluten or lactose intolerant for example -the GP will order tests to see if you are or not.
        If positive - they will then refer to a dietitian to learn all the ins and outs of a gluten free/lactose free diet or whatever you've found to be allergic/intolerant of.

  • Hardlyworkin on 23/07/2019 - 22:03

    Stick to non-processed foods, eat plenty of vegies, drink in moderation and exercise regularly. Just saved 95% of people a bunch of money!

    • Scamwatcher on 24/07/2019 - 16:15

      That's pretty much all a nutritionist can say haha

  • whooah1979 on 24/07/2019 - 05:38
    +1

    So if you have any questions please ask me -I'm an Accredited Practising Dietitian

    How can we be sure that you are who you say you are?

    • Scamwatcher on 24/07/2019 - 16:15

      You want proof or something?
      I prefer to keep my identity private online thanks

    • Hardlyworkin on 24/07/2019 - 17:41

      Their title is in CAPS, proof enough for me!

      • Scamwatcher on 25/07/2019 - 17:11

        I mean I COULD give my name and you could look me up on the DAA register of APDs - However I'm not here to give out my personal info and identity.
        If you don't believe me that's not my issue.

  • Jaystea on 26/07/2019 - 14:11
    +1

    What do you think about protein supplements for gym goers. I don't mean body builders, but for myself, young and healthy, gymming 4 to 5 times a week and looking to stay lean and build muscle, are protein shakes okay?

    • Scamwatcher on 26/07/2019 - 23:17

      They're a great way to conveniently get your protein after the gym or when you're recovering
      However high protein foods such as Chobani or YoPro yogurt, most forms of lean meat and dairy, even beans and lentils are also high protein and should really be emphasized - as protein shakes should supplement - not replace.

  • Heaps for Cheaps on 30/07/2019 - 14:32

    Quick AMA question if you have time?

    When starting a new diet plan, what changes would be wise to monitor/log in a diary?
    ie, Fat vs lean muscle weight, blood testing etc :)

  • TEER3X on 04/08/2019 - 09:38
    +1

    What's with those BS health ratings on products. Nutri grain gets 4 stars, the same as an egg???? That's just fkn stupid.

    Most of the diet advice is common sense, unless someone has an existing underlying health problem.

    The only enemy one should be concerned about (in my humble opinion) is sugar.

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