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National Academy of Sports Medicine Nutrition Essentials

NASM's Nutrition Coaching Essentials enables you to provide evidence-based guidance to those seeking to improve body composition, athletic performance, and health. By successfully completing this program, you will have the knowledge and abilities to leverage nutrition education to increase your client's success, reduce turnover, and maximize adherence. Held to the highest standard of research-based theory and practice, the Nutrition Essentials program teaches you how to provide nutritional direction to a variety of clients with differing goals. Your knowledge and skill base will be updated to remain current and focused on delivering the gold standard of client care in the nonclinical sphere.

This course is intended for those who are interested in learning about or teaching others how to apply nutrition priniciples for improved health and wellness.

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Syllabus

NASM Nutrition Coaching Essentials

As a Coursera learner enrolled in NASM’s Nutrition Essentials you will access the course content through NASM's online learning platform (link below). You will be prompted to create a new account. Once your account is created, each time you return to access the online platform it will remember you. In addition to the NASM course content, there will be a discussion question and practice exam within the Coursera platform. Upon completion of the final exam, you will earn a Coursera certificate. PLEASE NOTE: The Coursera certificate is not valid as an official NASM- Certified Nutrition Coach (NASM-CNC). To earn the NASM-CNC Certification, you will need to purchase and pass the NASM-CNC online exam. Instructions for this step can be found in the Foreward reading and the reading included in the Final Exam.

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Teaches students to provide evidence-based nutrition guidance to clients, improving body composition, athletic performance, and overall health

Delivered by NASM Faculty, ensuring high-quality instruction from recognized experts in the field of nutrition coaching

Alligns with the gold standard of client care in the nonclinical sphere, providing students with up-to-date and research-based knowledge

Intended for individuals seeking to improve their understanding of nutrition principles for personal health and wellness or for teaching others

May require additional purchase and passing of the NASM-CNC online exam to earn the official NASM- Certified Nutrition Coach (NASM-CNC)

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Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in National Academy of Sports Medicine Nutrition Essentials with these activities:

Review Course Materials and Exams

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Enhance your understanding and retention of the course content by regularly reviewing the materials and taking practice exams.

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Review lecture notes and presentations.
Complete practice quizzes and exams.
Attend study sessions.

Practice Cooking and Meal Preparation

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Build confidence in your ability to prepare healthy and balanced meals for yourself and others.

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Follow recipes and experiment with different cooking techniques.
Learn how to read and understand nutrition labels.
Plan and prepare meals that meet your nutritional needs and goals.

Volunteer at a Local Nutrition Program

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Gain practical experience and make a meaningful contribution to your community by volunteering at a nutrition program.

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Find a local nutrition program that aligns with your interests.
Offer your assistance with meal preparation, nutrition education, or other program activities.
Interact with clients and learn about their nutritional needs.
Share your knowledge and skills to help others improve their health.

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Engage in Peer Discussions

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Connect with peers to exchange knowledge, share experiences, and get feedback on your understanding.

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Join online forums or discussion groups.
Participate in discussions and ask questions.
Share your insights and help others learn.

Nutrition Plan for Yourself

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Develop a personalized nutrition plan that considers your health goals and dietary needs.

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Identify your health goals and dietary needs.
Research different nutrition approaches and food sources.
Create a meal plan that meets your calorie and macronutrient requirements.
Monitor your progress and adjust your plan as needed.

Review Dietary Guidelines for Americans

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Gain a strong foundation in the principles of nutrition by reviewing the latest edition of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

View Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2015-2020 on Amazon

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Identify the key recommendations for healthy eating patterns.
Read about the importance of nutrient-dense foods.
Consider how the guidelines can be applied to your own diet.

Nutrient Calculations

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Practice calculating nutrient content of foods to improve your nutrition analysis skills.

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Find a food label and practice calculating calories, macronutrients, and micronutrients.
Use online calorie calculators or apps to check your calculations.
Complete practice worksheets or quizzes on nutrient calculations.

Explore the Latest Nutrition Research

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Stay up-to-date with the latest advancements in nutrition by seeking out credible research articles.

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Identify reputable nutrition journals and websites.
Read and summarize key findings from recent studies.
Discuss the implications of the research for nutrition practice.

Calculate Macronutrient Needs

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Develop confidence in calculating macronutrient needs for clients with varying goals.

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Use an online macronutrient calculator.
Practice calculating macronutrient needs for different body compositions and activity levels.
Apply calculations to real-world scenarios.

Develop a Meal Plan for a Client

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Demonstrate your ability to create tailored meal plans that meet specific client needs and goals.

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Determine the client's nutritional needs and preferences.
Create a meal plan that aligns with the client's goals.
Provide guidance on portion sizes and cooking methods.
Educate the client on the principles of healthy eating.
Seek feedback from the client and revise the meal plan as needed.

Career center

Learners who complete National Academy of Sports Medicine Nutrition Essentials will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Certified Nutrition Coach

Individuals in this role are skilled at providing guidance related to food and nutrition to clients with unique health or fitness requirements. The NASM Nutrition Essentials course offers a solid foundational knowledge of the principles of nutrition, so Certified Nutrition Coaches who wish to strengthen their approach to nutrition can benefit from this course.

See salaries and explore the career path for Certified Nutrition Coach

Wellness Coach

In working with individuals to lead healthier lifestyles, Wellness Coaches often provide advice on nutrition, exercise, and stress management. Participants in this course can prepare themselves with the nutrition expertise needed to support and motivate clients to accomplish their health and wellness objectives.

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Registered Dietitian Nutritionist

For those working toward a career as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, this course broadens and strengthens their understanding of nutrition principles. These professionals provide personalized diet and nutrition advice, and the NASM Nutrition Essentials course offers valuable information that aligns with the core tenets of the field.

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Health Educator

In their role, Health Educators develop and implement programs to promote and maintain healthy behaviors, which often includes providing guidance on nutrition and healthy eating. This online course may serve as a valuable resource for Health Educators seeking to provide up-to-date information to individuals seeking to improve their health outcomes.

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Nutrition Counselor

Equipped with in-depth knowledge of nutrition principles, Nutrition Counselors provide guidance to individuals seeking to enhance their dietary habits, optimize their overall health, and manage health conditions related to nutrition. The NASM Nutrition Essentials course provides a solid basis for nutrition counselors to develop their expertise and deliver evidence-based advice to their clients.

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Corporate Wellness Specialist

Corporate Wellness Specialists design and implement employee wellness programs, often focusing on areas such as nutrition, fitness, and stress management. By taking the NASM Nutrition Essentials course, participants can gain in-depth knowledge and skills in nutrition, enabling them to offer comprehensive wellness solutions to corporate clients.

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Fitness Instructor

Possessing a strong understanding of nutrition principles is crucial for Fitness Instructors to provide holistic guidance to their clients. The NASM Nutrition Essentials course equips instructors with an evidence-based approach to nutrition, enabling them to offer personalized advice to their clients, enhancing their fitness journey.

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Personal Trainer

Personal Trainers work closely with clients to create personalized fitness and nutrition plans. The NASM Nutrition Essentials course provides Personal Trainers with a solid foundation in nutrition, including the latest research and best practices. This knowledge enables them to effectively guide their clients towards achieving their fitness goals.

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Sports Nutritionist

Sports Nutritionists specialize in providing nutrition guidance to athletes. This course gives Sports Nutritionists access to the most up-to-date research and methodologies in nutrition, allowing them to tailor their advice to the unique demands of athletic performance.

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Health and Wellness Writer

Health and Wellness Writers create and disseminate accurate and engaging information on a variety of health topics, including nutrition. The NASM Nutrition Essentials course can be a valuable resource for these writers as they aim to provide credible and well-informed content that empowers readers to make informed decisions about their health and nutrition.

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Community Health Worker

Community Health Workers are frontline public health professionals who serve as liaisons between healthcare systems and communities. Often involved in nutrition education and counseling, the NASM Nutrition Essentials course provides a solid foundation in evidence-based nutrition principles to support their work in promoting health and well-being within underserved populations.

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Clinical Nutritionist

Clinical Nutritionists work in various healthcare settings, providing medical nutrition therapy and counseling to patients with nutrition-related health conditions. The NASM Nutrition Essentials course can be a valuable resource for Clinical Nutritionists seeking to expand their knowledge and stay updated on the latest advancements in nutrition.

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Food Scientist

Food Scientists research, develop, and evaluate food products, ensuring their safety, quality, and nutritional value. The NASM Nutrition Essentials course may be useful as it provides a comprehensive understanding of the fundamentals of nutrition, enabling Food Scientists to appreciate the nutritional implications of their work.

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Marketing Manager

Marketing Managers in the food and beverage industry may find the NASM Nutrition Essentials course helpful in understanding the nutritional aspects of products, enabling them to develop more effective marketing campaigns that resonate with health-conscious consumers.

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Registered Nurse

Registered Nurses involved in patient care can benefit from the NASM Nutrition Essentials course as it provides a foundational understanding of nutrition principles. This knowledge can support them in providing informed care and counseling to patients, enhancing their overall approach to patient health and well-being.

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Reading list

We've selected 12 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in National Academy of Sports Medicine Nutrition Essentials.

Advanced Nutrition and Human Metabolism

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This textbook comprehensive reference on human nutrition, covering the latest research on macronutrients, micronutrients, and metabolism.

National Academy of Sports Medicine Nutrition Essentials

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