Nutrition Coaching FAQs
- Molly Kempel
- Dec 12, 2025
- 2 min read
Curious about nutrition coaching but not sure what it actually IS? Here's my top FAQs that I get on
intro calls, and how I approach them.
What is the difference between a nutrition coach and a functional nutrition coach?
A nutrition coach helps guide behavior change, education, and accountability around food and lifestyle. A functional nutrition coach goes deeper by focusing on root causes—looking at how gut health, blood sugar, stress, hormones, and nutrient status interact to influence symptoms.
My work blends both: evidence-based nutrition coaching with a functional, systems-based approach that looks beyond surface-level advice.
What does a functional nutrition coach do?
A functional nutrition coach helps you understand why your body is responding the way it is and how to support it through personalized nutrition and lifestyle strategies. This may include identifying nutrient deficiencies, supporting digestion and metabolism, addressing stress patterns, and building sustainable habits that align with your life.
Rather than prescribing rigid rules, I focus on education, personalization, and long-term change.
Do you create meal plans?
I don’t provide rigid, one-size-fits-all meal plans. Instead, as a nutrition coach, I offer personalized guidance, food frameworks, and practical recommendations that help you make confident decisions in real life.
This approach builds flexibility, understanding, and sustainability, rather than dependence on a plan.
Who is nutrition coaching best for?
Nutrition coaching is a good fit if you:
Feel stuck despite eating “well”
Experience fatigue, brain fog, digestive issues, or hormonal symptoms
Want a personalized approach instead of generic advice
Are looking for sustainable change, not quick fixes
If if you're not sure if functional nutrition coaching is right for you, set up a strategy call so we can go over your goals & see!
Can nutrition coaching help with chronic symptoms?
Yes. Many clients seek out a nutrition coach because they’re dealing with ongoing symptoms like low energy, gut issues, mood changes, or inflammation.
While nutrition coaching is not medical care, a functional nutrition approach can support underlying contributors such as nutrient imbalances, blood sugar dysregulation, digestive health, and lifestyle stressors that often play a role in chronic symptoms.
How long does nutrition coaching take?
This varies by person and goals. Many clients work with a nutrition coach for several months to allow time for education, habit change, and physiological shifts.
Functional nutrition is not a quick fix, it’s a process that adapts as your body and life change. That said, I always tell my clients that "I don't want you as a lifetime client." If we're not making real, measurable changes, it's time to re-evaluate next steps that would be best for you.
Do you work with specific diets?
I don’t follow or promote one specific diet. Functional nutrition is individualized—what works for one person may not work for another.
As your nutrition coach, I help you identify which foods support your body right now, without unnecessary restrictions.
Do you take insurance?
Unfortunately functional nutrition (and nutrition coaching in general) is not often covered by insurance. You may be eligible to use HSA/ FSA accounts.
How do I get started with a nutrition coach?
The best first step is booking a consultation. This allows us to discuss your goals, symptoms, and whether working with a functional nutrition coach is the right fit.
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