You may have noticed recently more talk about the Keto diet, especially online. That is because there are, nowadays, millions of keto coaches who are sharing tips, and guiding people through the keto process. What you don’t know is that most of those coaches have probably only taken a 2 months online course to earn that title because apparently being a coach has become a trend! Listening to their content, you would think: “Hey, keto is not so hard, I might as well try it!” And just like that, people who are desperate for a healthy lifestyle or specific health support would contact those online coaches for consultations. 

I’m writing this article today to raise awareness about the fact that a keto coach is not the person you should consult when it comes to the keto diet. Instead, go to a registered dietitian and nutritional therapist, who actually hold degrees in paramedical and nutritional therapy, because keto is not a trend. Keto is a healthy healing lifestyle change that needs monitoring and true expertise, particularly if patients have illnesses such as diabetes, heart problems, allergies, etc. Only someone in the medical or paramedical field can treat those health issues through the keto diet. 

I personally studied and worked hard for years to become the licensed Keto expert, dietitian, and nutritional therapist I am today, and I’m very passionate about what I do. The main reason why I chose this path is to change people’s lives, help them heal, and lead a healthy lifestyle. So when I noticed the surge in the number of frauds taking advantage of individuals looking for help, I felt the need to wave the red flag and raise awareness regarding this issue. So, let me explain the difference between a Keto coach, a registered dietitian, and a nutritional therapist.

Dietitians, Nutritional Therapists & Keto Coach 

Dietitian

A dietitian should at least hold a bachelor’s degree in Nutrition and Dietetics or a related science degree with a postgraduate degree in Dietetics. Dietitians are the only nutrition professionals to be protected and regulated by law as every practitioner should be registered. They can work in hospitals, primary care, medical facilities and private practice. Have you noticed? The key word here is “medical”. Dietitians are qualified to diagnose eating disorders and design customised diet plans to treat specific medical conditions. Doctors can refer patients to dietitians to help them fight diseases like diabetes, obesity, eating disorders, poor growth, cancer, and other illnesses.    

Nutritional Therapist 

A Nutritional therapist typically has a degree in Human Nutrition, Public Health Nutrition, Sports and Exercise Nutrition or Nutritional Sciences. Their scope of practice generally includes healthy individuals who simply want to maintain good health and prevent diseases. Nutritional therapists often work in public health sectors, research, academia, food retail, food manufacturing, and sports. Their role is to help people reach nutritional goals and deal with certain eating behaviours, but they do not have the right to create diet plans or treat medical conditions. They can simply suggest a diet that helps people make food choices depending on their health goals. However, this remains a mere recommendation, not medical advice. 

Keto Coach

A certified Keto coach is a professional who specialises in supporting people going through the Ketogenic diet to achieve their goals of becoming healthier. However, before becoming a Keto coach, they should be a licensed registered dietitian first in order to have the expertise needed to read medical exams like blood tests. This is a huge responsibility and you cannot just trust anyone who claims to be a keto coach to do that. I mean, it’s people’s health we are talking about here so not any person who claims to be a keto coach with certification (or not, for that matter) is authorised to read medical exams and make assessments. A keto coach should be initially a dietitian who studied further to become a Keto expert. So they have the expertise and educational background of both a dietitian, nutritional therapist, and keto coach to properly help patients. 

5 Reasons to Choose A Nutritional Therapist/Dietitian

Only Trust Experts With your Health

Unfortunately, with all the different information and alterations of the keto diet available out there, it can be confusing to decide who to approach. What you need to know is that keto is not a one size fits all diet plan. Following any Keto diet based on some online content won’t suit your body and may do more harm than good. The process requires you first to truly understand your food intake, your metabolism, and know your body’s fat content, muscle mass, and most importantly, your medical conditions. Therefore, you can only trust a certified nutritional therapist and registered dietitian to study your health profile, customise your keto diet plan accordingly, and educate you about what does or does not suit your condition. They’re the only ones who have a deep understanding of the science behind Keto. 

Keto is Not Just About Cutting Carbs

Keto is far from other traditional caloric diets. For a start, you set a health goal instead of only an ideal weight goal. Your nutritional therapist will counsel you to find a balance between your nutrients and calories intake. The whole keto program includes counselling, training, fitness, diet, and most importantly lifestyle modifications, so you can reach your weight as well as your wellness goal. You see, regardless of what the online world tells you, keto is more than just cutting carbs. How would you know if online guides and ready made diet plans really work? Which one should you try? How do you know if it’s working? What if you experience side effects? This is where you need your nutritional therapist whose medical background will help you fix and prevent health complications. They will guide you through a health renewal journey that tackles all the areas in your life that affect your health. 

Motivation & Accountability 

Aren’t we all tempted to go off track when nobody’s watching? Having someone monitor your progress makes you feel more responsible and accountable. The fact of having a nutritional therapist or dietitian see your slip makes you also more conscious of your failures. Also, when we do things alone, it can be very easy to lose motivation. When you go through a massive lifestyle change, you need encouragement, support, and constant reminders of why you’re doing what you’re doing. Especially during the first phase of Keto, when your body starts switching from burning carbs to burning fat for fuel, it’s normal to experience low energy levels and physical weakness. This makes quitting an easy option. Therefore, relying on an expert to get you through those initial stages increases your chances of achieving your goals! You can always talk to your nutrional therapist or dietitian when things get challenging, and they will give you a push.

Track Your Health Issues 

As mentioned earlier, a nutritional therapist studies your health condition before designing your keto diet plan. They ask for current medical exams as well as your medical history, to be able to identify how your body will cope with Keto. Based on that, they decide how intense your diet can be, and what Keto-friendly food can’t go well with your particular health conditions. However, you should know that even individuals with no health problems could experience side effects of Keto if not managed properly. Take for example the Keto flu that is usually experienced at the beginning of the diet. It often includes fatigue and stomach problems that can all be relieved by your nutritional therapist or dietitian. So even if you are a perfectly healthy person, you may experience side effects especially if your diet is not managed and monitored properly by a professional. 

Tips & Tricks

The Keto diet switches your body into a full state of Ketosis, which comes as a drastic change for you physically. Therefore, it is substantial to have a professional escort you through this transition. Because of the knowledge and experience they have, they can give you tips and tricks nobody else would know. Those recommendations can turn your whole process from a struggle to a successful thrive. They will be your go to person when you feel like breaking the diet, providing you with tasty alternatives that suit your body, health condition, and that fulfil your cravings without ruining the journey. Let me tell you, you won’t be getting this kind of guidance from keto coaches.  

Conclusion

When it comes to decisions related to your health, you don’t always find the required support around you, which can be very demotivating. Furthermore, as much as the Ketogenic diet is positively life changing, there are still, unfortunately, many misconceptions about it. And despite how determined you are, you can easily feel alienated if you’re trying to find your way through this diet alone. Bottom line, a nutritional therapist or dietitian are the only ones who will provide you with knowledge, experience, and guidance so that you reach your intended health goals safely.  

I hope I was able to raise awareness and clarify the importance of going through the Ketogenic diet only with a nutritional therapist or dietitian because they’re the ones with a medical and professional background. If you have any questions, please reach out. I’ll be happy to answer your concerns!