The Nutritious Life Studio Foundational Nutrition and Wellness Coach Program Curriculum

Lesson 1: Explanation of a Nutritious Life

The Nutritious Life philosophy is a whole person approach to health and wellness. Clients must  understand that it’s not just about the food. In Lesson 1 we’ll get up close and personal with the 8 Pillars of a Nutritious Life: Drink Up, Eat Empowered, Live Consciously, Love More, Nurture Yourself, Sleep Deep, Stress Less and Sweat Often. We’ll go over what they are, what they mean, why they’re important and how they all work together in a Nutritious Life. This lesson provides the foundation for the rest of this course. After completing this lesson you will feel confident about integrating these 8 Pillars into your wellness practice.

Includes a handout on:

• 8 Pillars of a Nutritious Life
  

Lesson 2: Nutrition 101

In order to help clients make better food decisions, you need to know the basics of nutrition science. In Lesson 2 we’ll review the fundamentals of carbohydrates, fats, and protein: the macronutrients. We’ll go over the science and talk about what these macronutrients do in your body and why you need them. We’ll also discuss the best food sources for each macronutrient and how much of each your clients should be eating. We’ll then reveal the Guide to 4 Keys: How to put it all together. These are the big four things to focus on when structuring a client meal plan and the philosophy on which the entire meal plan will be based. Understanding the 4 Keys is essential to helping your clients succeed. You’ll finish this lesson with a solid knowledge of nutrition science and feel ready to help your clients make better food choices.

Includes handouts on:

• Carbohydrates
• Fats
• Protein
• Guide to 4 Keys

Lesson 3: Cravings and Emotional Eating

You’re sure to have clients who experience cravings and emotional eating, so it’s super important to understand the science behind why they happen. In Lesson 3 we’ll discuss the similarities and the differences between cravings and emotional eating and how to detect if your clients are experiencing either–or both. We’ll take a look at how environmental factors, neurotransmitters and nutrient deficiencies affect our food decisions and discuss different strategies to use when working with clients who need to overcome their cravings or emotional eating habits. You’ll come away from this lesson feeling prepared to work with these types of clients and ready to implement these strategies into your nutrition and wellness practice.

Includes handouts on:

• Environmental Factors That Can Harm Eating
• Food and Impact on Neurotransmitters
• Nutrient Deficiencies and Cravings
• Triggers and Controls
• Rewriting the Ritual

Lesson 4: Inflammation, Allergies, and Gut Health

Foods can affect different people in different ways. As a health professional, you need to recognize that every client will be different and have an understanding of the ways in which clients may react to certain foods. We’ll start Lesson 4 by discuss inflammation: what it is, what it’s caused by, and how you can help your clients reduce it. We’ll also talk about allergies and the difference between true food allergies, food intolerances and food sensitivities. We’ll then get into gut health and discuss the ways in which our guts can affect the rest of what goes on in our bodies. Finally, we’ll go over how to help clients who experience negative symptoms after eating and talk about methods you can use to detect what food or foods are causing your clients distress. After completing this lesson you will be better prepared to help each individual client feel their very best after eating.

Includes handouts on:

• Allergies
• Gut Health and Probiotics
• Inflammation
• Foods that Contain Gluten
• Elimination Diet

Lesson 5: What Makes Us Fat

Clients may think they’re doing everything right with their diets, but could still be struggling to lose or maintain their weight. There are so many factors that affect why and how our weights may fluctuate and they don’t all have to do with food. In Lesson 5 we’ll talk about the importance of being aware and go over common slipups your clients may be making–not just with their diets. We’ll reveal the top foods and ingredients that can contribute to making us fat and talk about how to decipher between nutritious foods and junk. We’ll also discuss the other lifestyle factors that clients need to be focusing on, including hydration and sleep. After this lesson you will be armed with the tools you need to help your clients pinpoint lifestyle changes they may need to make in order to reach their wellness goals.

Includes handouts on:

• Best Ways to Stay Hydrated
• Dangers of Diet Soda
• Foods That Make Us Fat
• Guide to Artificial Sweeteners
• How To Read Food Labels
• Sleep and Weight Gain

Lesson 6: Detoxing & Cleansing

Is there is a time and a place to cleanse? There are so many different opinions about this topic and different versions of detoxes and cleanses your clients may ask you about. In Lesson 6 we’ll answer all your questions about detoxes and cleanses and review the whats, whys, whens and hows of cleansing. We’ll reveal the best cleansing foods your clients should be eating and talk about how to safely and effectively guide your clients through a cleanse. We’ll provide a handout on organic foods and other labels–your comprehensive guide to food shopping–that will make it easy for your clients to navigate the grocery store.

Includes handouts on:

• Cleansing Foods
• Organic Foods and Other Labels
• Healthy Food Cleanse Options

Lesson 7: Supplements

Real food first is the way to go, but supplements can play an important role in health and wellness. Your clients may already be taking certain supplements, may have questions about certain supplements, or may benefit from supplements that they have not yet considered, so it’s uber important to understand this topic. In Lesson 7 you’ll learn exactly which supplements may be beneficial for specific populations. We’ll also talk health claims, regulations and common mistakes people can make with supplements. After this lesson you will feel ready to answer your clients’ supplement questions, know where to find reliable information, and be able to decipher from nutrition science and marketing schemes.

Includes handouts on:

• Understanding Supplements Part 1
• Understanding Supplements Part 2
• Understanding Supplements Part 3

Lesson 8: Common Nutrition Myths

Even the most knowledgeable among us have been tripped up by a nutrition myth. Your clients are faced with tons of nutrition information every day–on the news, in social media, on TV–and it can be tough to weed through the health and the hype. In Lesson 8 we’ll reveal the truth behind some common myths and discuss how to decipher between fact and fiction. We’ll talk low carb diets, skipping breakfast, and other nutrition myths your clients are sure to have questions about. After finishing this lesson you will feel armed to answer questions about these myths, and better prepared to tackle new nutrition myths that may come your way.

Includes handouts on:

• Breakfast
• Science Behind Low Carb Diets

Lesson 9: Vegetarian, Vegan, Raw, and Paleo Diets

There are many diets that have clearly transitioned into lifestyles and your clients may be considering pursuing a new way of eating. In Lesson 9 we’ll take a deeper look at vegetarian, vegan, raw and paleo diets and go over how to work with clients who are interested in these lifestyles. We’ll talk about the pros and cons of each diet and how to make sure nutrient requirement are met when certain foods are restricted. We’ll provide sample menus for each diet so you can see how to create a nutritious and balanced plan for each specific diet. After this lesson you’ll be ready to work with clients who have already transitioned to or are thinking about one of these specific ways of eating.

• Includes handouts on:
• Plant Based Sources of Iron, B12, Calcium, and Omega-3 Fatty Acids for Vegans and Vegetarians
• Pros and Cons of Speciality Diets
• Sample Day Paleo Menu
• Sample Day Raw Menu
• Sample Day Vegan Menu
• Sample Day Vegetarian Menu

Lesson 10: The First Session

In Lesson 10 we’ll really get down to business…nutrition business that is. We’ll go over everything you’ll need for your first client session, including appointment confirmation letters, client intake forms and food journal templates. We’ll provide an easy-to-follow checklist so that you have everything you need for getting started. We’ll reveal common consultation mistakes (so you don’t make them!) and let you in on the Nutritious Life process for writing personalized meal plans for clients. We’ll also provide the Nutritious Life Portion Guide so that your clients know exactly how much they should be eating and what brands we love. After completing this lesson you will be armed and ready to start booking and working with clients.

Includes handouts on:

• Appointment Confirmation Letter
• Client Intake Form
• Common Mistakes
• Sample Meal Plan
• Sample Perfect Day
• Sample Client Journals
• Step-by-Step Checklist For Your First Session
• Sample Letter to Client
• Sample Referral Letter

Lesson 11: The Nutritious Life Handbook

Lesson 11 is all about communication. You’ll learn how to decide what works for you. We’ll reveal tips for emailing and provide samples so that you are confident in your communication abilities. We’ll provide a comprehensive list of our favorite apps, websites and new technology for both you and your clients. We’ll also give you plenty of tools including a follow up session form so that you can help keep your clients accountable to their goals. After finishing this lesson you will be ready to help your clients work towards and achieve their nutrition and wellness goals.

Includes handouts on:

• Favorite Website, Apps, and Tools
• Sample Emails
• Follow Up Session Form

Lesson 12: Running a Successful Business

Manage your business, take it to the next level and build your brand! Yes, you CAN build the wellness brand of your dreams, but it won’t happen overnight. In Lesson 12, you’ll get the inside scoop on building and growing a nutrition and wellness business. You’ll learn the steps you need to take to build your own brand–yes, we lay them out for you in steps 1 through 5, providing you with a roadmap to business success. We’ll go over everything you need from brand names and websites, to social media and networking, to pricing and growing your client base. Once you complete this lesson you will be Nutritious Life Certified and be ready to conquer the nutrition and wellness space.

Includes handouts on:

• Pricing Strategies For Clients
• Steps 1-5 to Build Your Brand

Bonus Lesson 1: Natalie Jill, Founder of Natalie Jill Fitness:

• How to Build a Facebook Following of 1+ Million: You wanna learn how to build an online empire? Natalie teaches our students how and spill the secrets to how she did it herself.

Bonus Lesson 2: Michele Promaulayko, Editor-in-Chief of Cosmopolitan:

• How to Get Your Content Published: You wanna learn how to get published and make a name for yourself at some of the top health and wellness media sources? Michele shares her advice exclusively with our students.

Bonus Lesson 3: McKel Hill, MS, RD, and Founder of Nutrition Stripped:

• Strategies to Build Your Instagram Following: Learn how to build your Instagram following from one of the best. McKel exclusively teaches our students how she did it and how they can do it, too.

Bonus Lesson 4: Ashley Koff, MS, RD, and Founder of Better Nutrition, Simplified:

• Everything You Need to Know About GMOs: Not sure about GMOs? Ashley offers her expertise on one of the hottest (and most confusing!) nutrition topics – genetically modified organisms aka GMOs -exclusively to our students of The Nutritious Life Studio.

Bonus Lesson 5: Patricia Moreno, Creator of The intenSati Method:

• The Secret Recipe to Ensuring Client Success: Help your clients change the way they look at food, exercise, and themselves. Patricia is all about helping people find Thinner Peace, and she’s all about teaching our students her secret recipe (Diet + Exercise + THIS) to help her clients master their goals.

Bonus Lesson 6: Adam Bornstein, Founder of BornFitness:

• How to Build a Successful Website: You CAN build an influential and successful site for your brand. Adam is a leading expert in the field and teaches our students about building successful websites and mistakes that could make or break them.

Bonus Lesson 7: Lauren Roxburgh, Author and Creator of Lo Rox Aligned Life:

• The Scoop on Fascia and the Lymphatic System: Want to know more about body alignment, fascia and movement? Lauren has worked with some of the world’s top athletes and celebrities and is the go-to writer and expert on all things fascia. She teaches our students everything they need to know about the fascia and lymphatic system, why it’s as important as eating healthy and managing stress, and what to do everyday to care for it.

Bonus Lesson 8: Natalie Uhling, Creator of NUFit:

• How to Build a Fitness Empire: Grow your wellness brand into an empire! Natalie shares her story and reveals how she built NUFit from the ground up, the challenges she’s faced, the obstacles she’s overcome, and the rewards and successes she’s earned from her entrepreneurial endeavors.