AFPA Health and Fitness Blog

It’s no secret that more people care about what they eat and the role food plays in maintaining and improving their health. The nutrition industry is expanding, and the need for qualified nutrition professionals is expected to increase over the next seven years.

Let’s face it, there is so much to juggle as a fitness coach. From communicating with clients and developing programs to advertising and growing your business’s reach - it can be a lot. Adding video to your marketing strategy on top of that may seem overwhelming, especially if it’s not a medium you’re used to working with.

Editor's Note: This post was originally published August 2016 and has recently been updated and revised for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

Pursuing a nutrition certification for personal enrichment is hugely valuable, and can help you integrate healthier eating into your fitness and wellness mix. But it's also an opportunity to expand your career in new ways, giving you many options when it comes to providing nutritional counseling.

When you earn a certification — credentials that highlight your education and knowledge — you'll be in a strong position to choose from a range of jobs. Here are just a few that you might consider:

Editor's Note: This post was originally published July 2017 and has recently been updated and revised for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease are always concerned about their dietary choices. However, there is little evidence to suggest that any particular diet causes disease or that it can be cured with specific foods.

Every time you follow a fitness influencer on Instagram, read a new blog post or watch a YouTube video you are no doubt overwhelmed by people telling you to add the latest super green to your daily diet. There are spirulina smoothies, chlorella shakes and moringa teas all claiming to be the answer to a myriad of health problems. While you may be inspired to add a few of these to your health routine, you may also be wondering what exactly the benefits are, as well as how to incorporate them into your diet. Super greens by their very nature are good for you, there is no doubt about it, but as with any new supplement you want to be sure you know what you’re taking before including it in your regimen. We have put together a guide of the top 3 trending super greens right now to show you what they are, why they’re good for you and how to add them to your diet.

Editor's Note: This post was originally published July 2015 and has recently been updated and revised for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

As a nutrition consultant, you have a unique opportunity to help your clients develop better eating habits, achieve their weight-loss and fitness goals and ultimately maintain healthy and fulfilling lifestyle changes. "Proper nutrition is essential to healthy living and overall well-being," writes the staff at Livestrong. "A nutritionist can play an important role in your health by evaluating your diet and offering you personalized advice." It's also an opportunity to help inspire others and encourage them to shape a happier and healthier outlook.

With an expected job growth rate of 16% through 2024, and a growing client base of consumers who believe food and nutrition play a significant role in maintaining and improving overall health, the need for holistic health coaches won’t be declining any time soon. As more holistic health coaches start their own businesses, the competition also increases. Be sure you set yourself up for success by following these business tips.

Editor's Note: This post was originally published July 2017 and has recently been updated and revised for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

Taking the fast road to being a knowledgeable and successful personal trainer is not as hard as you may think. A trick that the most well-known trainers have adopted is quite simple. It’s reading.  Reading books – exhaustive, highly researched information on specific topics – can help you quickly get intimate knowledge with topics you may know little about or that were never required in your personal trainer certification course.

Editor's Note: This post was originally published August 2016 and has recently been updated and revised for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

As a health and fitness enthusiast, you have likely heard of or experienced the green smoothie and juicing trend first-hand. Many researchers and followers claim that adding a green smoothie or juice to your diet can transform your health and your body. Whether you buy into it, there is simply no denying that this trend is booming—and frankly, it's quite delicious. So, the truth is, you don't have to be fully on board to give it a try or even share some recipes with your clients, especially if they are asking you about it.

Editor's Note: This post was originally published October 2015 and has recently been updated and revised for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

In order to really get the most out of your Twitter account, it's important to follow other Twitter users that provide great insights. However, it's also important to exercise some selectivity about the accounts that you follow or you might find your news feed filled up with irrelevant clutter. This list of important nutrition voices on Twitter includes a diverse group of nutrition experts, food experts, and food activists.