Clients seeking nutritional meal planning from an ACSM certified Personal Trainer should be:

Advising clients on specific nutritional supplement needs goes beyond a personal trainer's scope of practice and could constitute practicing dietetics without a license.

Counseling on sport beverage intake only is an artificially narrow answer and still may exceed scope depending on the specificity of advice; it does not represent the correct standard of care.

The ACSM scope of practice limits personal trainers to general nutrition information consistent with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans; they are not credentialed to create individualized medical nutrition therapy or detailed meal plans. Providing such services without proper licensure exposes the trainer to legal liability. Referring clients to a Registered Dietician ensures the client receives qualified, legally appropriate nutritional guidance.

Distinguishing between macronutrient and micronutrient counseling does not resolve the scope of practice issue - providing individualized meal planning guidance in either category exceeds a personal trainer's credentials.