In nutrition counseling, what is a personalized meal plan meant to address?

• A. Universal dietary standards
• B. Client-specific nutritional needs and preferences
• C. Scientific recommendations only
• D. Only weight loss goals

Answer: (B)

A personalized meal plan in nutrition counseling is specifically designed to meet the unique nutritional needs, preferences, and lifestyle of the individual client. This approach recognizes that each person has distinct health concerns, dietary restrictions, cultural food practices, tastes, and overall goals. Creating a meal plan tailored to these individual factors ensures that the client will be more likely to adhere to the recommendations and achieve positive health outcomes.

While universal dietary standards and scientific recommendations provide a foundation for balanced nutrition, they do not take into account the personal context of each client, which is essential for effective counseling. Additionally, focusing solely on weight loss goals limits the holistic view that a personalized meal plan should encompass, as it should also consider overall health, well-being, energy levels, and possibly other health conditions beyond just weight management.