Nutrition Coach vs. Nutritionist: What’s the Difference and Who Do You Need?

In today’s information-heavy food world, knowing who to turn to for support can be confusing.

“Should I see a nutritionist? Or a nutrition coach? What’s the difference anyway?”

A nutrition coach helps to cut food confusion and build new habits

Here’s a simple analogy I like to use with my clients:

A nutrition coach is like a personal trainer.

A nutritionist is more like a physiotherapist.

Just like a PT helps you build strength, stay accountable, and improve your fitness through practical, structured plans — a nutrition coach helps you build healthy eating habits, make better decisions, and stay consistent over time.

And just as you'd see a physio for something more clinical — like a specific injury or diagnosis — you might see a nutritionist if you’re dealing with something more medical, like Crohn’s, severe deficiencies, or preparing for IVF.

So, What Does a Nutrition Coach Actually Do?

As a nutrition coach, my work is centred around prevention rather than cure.

I focus on helping people:

• Cut through food confusion and overwhelm

• Make powerful but simple dietary shifts (like reducing ultra-processed foods and sugar)

• Build the foundations of real, long-term wellness

• Understand why they eat the way they do — and how to shift those habits for good

  
  

My job isn’t to dig into the nitty-gritty of micronutrient balance or create detailed supplement protocols. Instead, I help you focus on the big, easy wins — the changes that will give you noticeable energy, mood, and health improvements, often surprisingly quickly.

Eating well doesn't have to be overwhelming - you just need that friendly force to help you on your way.

Bridging Science with Real Life

What sets me apart isn’t just that I’ve completed a nutrition coaching qualification and passed exams. It’s that I bring together deep scientific knowledge, buckets of empathy and real-world teaching skill, and I use both to empower lasting change.

With a background in biochemistry and a former career as a chemistry teacher, I understand the complex mechanisms of how food interacts with the body — from blood sugar and hormones to gut health, inflammation, and metabolic regulation.

But I don’t just know this stuff — I know how to teach it.

My skill lies in making complex topics easy to understand and simple to implement. Whether I’m explaining what ultra-processed foods do to your insulin response, or how sleep and cravings are linked, I translate the science into clear, practical strategies that make sense in everyday life.

Who Do You Need?

Here’s a quick guide to help you decide:

You might need a...	If you're...
Nutrition Coach	Struggling with energy, motivation, or consistency around food. Feeling stuck in unhealthy eating habits. Wanting to reduce UPFs and eat more whole food, but not sure how. Seeking behaviour change and practical tools.
Nutritionist	Managing a specific medical condition (e.g., IBS, autoimmune issues, PCOS). Needing clinical testing or supplement protocols. Working on complex micronutrient balance or a medically prescribed diet.

The Bottom Line

If you’re ready to take action, want practical food strategies that don’t involve perfection, and are looking for someone to walk alongside you as you reclaim your health — a nutrition coach, like me, might be exactly who you need.

And if you’re not sure? I’m always happy to point you in the right direction.