What type of service should certified nutrition coaches avoid offering regardless of the setting?

Certified nutrition coaches should avoid offering meal planning and nutrition therapy because these services typically require a registered dietitian or licensed nutritionist's credentials due to the specific training and legal regulations involved. Nutrition therapy often deals with addressing medical conditions through dietary changes, which necessitates a deep understanding of clinical nutrition and medical knowledge that certified nutrition coaches might not possess.

In contrast, fitness meal planning and nutritional educational sessions generally fall within the scope of practice for certified nutrition coaches. These areas focus on promoting healthy eating habits and providing general guidance on nutrition, which is appropriate for coaches with the right training. Public health advice can also be nuanced, but it typically requires expertise in public health policy and practice, making it a more specialized area. Therefore, meal planning and nutrition therapy should be avoided by certified nutrition coaches to ensure they adhere to professional standards and provide safe, effective guidance to their clients.