Can a CNC recommend specific supplements to their clients?

A Certified Nutrition Coach (CNC) is trained to provide guidance on nutrition and lifestyle choices but is typically not authorized to recommend specific supplements to clients. While they can offer general nutrition advice, their role focuses more on dietary changes, behavior modification, and developing healthy eating habits rather than acting as a supplement advisor. This guideline is in place to ensure that recommendations are based on an individual’s whole food intake and overall lifestyle rather than on specific supplement products, which can vary widely in quality and efficacy.

The role of recommending supplements is usually reserved for licensed healthcare professionals, such as registered dietitians or physicians, who can assess a client’s specific health needs more thoroughly and determine whether supplements are appropriate. This restriction also protects clients from potential misuse or over-reliance on supplements instead of fostering a balanced diet.