Why a nutritionist is just as important as a PT

  • Nov 30, 2023
  • By THR1VE Collective
  • 0 Comment

Nutritionist Samantha Gemmell explains why you should swap your next PT session for a nutrition consult.

nutritionist with ready mealsYou will often hear of a friend or colleague who wants to feel leaner, sexier or healthier and within a week or two they’ve signed up to a new gym and have a weekly PT session scheduled in. The problem is that this only addresses part of the issue. Research shows that 80% of how we look, feel and perform is determined by what we eat, so we often need to address our diet as well as our training program to see results. Now whilst your local PT or fitness trainer may have some nutrition knowledge, you can achieve effortless and sustainable results sooner with the advice from a nutritionist.

Here’s why we recommend you find yourself a great nutritionist:

They have in-depth nutrition training

A personal trainer might give you a basic meal plan to get you started. But the right nutritionist will have a minimum of an advanced diploma – preferably a degree. Some even go on to study Honours, Masters or PhDs, depending on their preferred field. This means they have spent thousands of hours studying the human body. Anatomy, physiology, chemistry, pharmacology, as well as clinical nutrition – it’s no easy feat. But that work means that they can help you achieve your goals more effectively.

They stay up to date on breaking health research

Keeping up with health-related research is hard work for anyone. But for a nutritionist, it’s all part of the job. In order for them to know the best therapies, the most effective diets, the ideal supplement dosages, they need to read research constantly. This means that your nutritionist isn’t spouting old news. They offer you the very best and up-to-date research and therapies whenever possible.

They can spot patterns you might not see

We all think we have such a good handle on our diets and our relationship to food. But with a simple diet and symptom diary, a nutritionist can spot an allergy, intolerance, or emotional eating trigger. So if you have symptoms you can’t quite pin down, a nutritionist can help. It’s like they’re food detectives!

They can access high-level supplements

Plenty of people take supplements these days. But a lot of over-the-counter supplements aren’t great quality. Nutritionists have access to practitioner-only products that are far more effective. These supplements have the best forms of nutrients, the best combinations for certain goals, and plenty of research behind them. Some practitioners can even compound a supplement blend that’s customised to your needs. That’s individual care!

They can optimise your food intake around almost anything!

Nutritionists work with a range of health issues, allergies and chronic conditions. Some specialise in optimising diets for people with food allergies. So if you struggle to eat nutritious foods around your requirements, they can help. The same goes for people who just don’t like food. Nutritionists will often create new recipes that are both tasty and healthy to share with clients. More often than not, we’re foodies, so we want every mouthful to be awesome!

They work with the rest of your team

A good nutritionist will always work with your health care team, not against it. So they should be reaching out to your PT, your GP, and any specialists you have. They’ll communicate what they’re aiming to do with you, and how it can help. By communicating with your team, it ensures you get better health-care across the board. That sounds like a win to me!

About Samantha
Samantha Gemmell is an inspired nutritionist (BHSc), health writer and speaker. Her passion lies in sharing her knowledge and helping people to find their own path to a thriving life. You can find her at www.samanthagemmell.com, or on Facebook.