Q. What is Holistic Nutrition?

A. The philosophy of holistic nutrition is that one’s health is an expression of the complex interplay between the physical and chemical, mental and emotional, as well as spiritual and environmental aspects of one’s life and being. As such, professionals who are trained in Holistic Nutrition approach health and healing from a whole-person perspective. Using nutritional education as a primary tool, holistic nutrition professionals emphasize the building of health by approaching each person as a unique individual. This requires fully engaging the individual in their health recovery process and honoring their innate wisdom by working in an empowering and cooperative manner to chart a course to optimal health.

Q. What is the difference between a Holistic Nutrition Consultant (HNC) and a Registered Dietitian (RD)?

A. Holistic Nutrition is generally a service that falls under the Holistic Wellness umbrella, similar yet different from Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Holistic Nutrition goes a step beyond to address how lifestyle factors and diet work together to influence integrative health. Bio-individuality is taken into consideration, your body needs are different from everyone else. Age, activity, and lifestyle are also taken into consideration. Holistic Nutrition teaches you how to find and shop for the most eco-friendly foods that are good for the land and good for you. A Holistic Nutrition approach looks at your entire lifestyle and coaches you into making lifestyle tweaks and nutrition changes until you learn your nutrition needs. We teach you to increase your nutrition density and absorption with real, whole foods that are available in your area to lower your carbon footprint. You will learn the foods that have prebiotics and probiotics, foods that hydrate you, foods to repair your gut, how to find dietary balance, and how to repair and care for your body with real food. We look at how lifestyle affects your health and offer suggestions for your integrative wellness. Nutrition deficiencies need to be found with blood tests ordered from your General Doctor or recommended online retailers.

Registered Dietitians operate from a Standard American Diet (S.A.D.) perspective and USDA rules. They will prepare a nutrition plan for you, but are more likely to prescribe probiotic pills and protein shakes for weight loss. They might also promote things such as a stomach clamp to lose weight. One benefit is that they can run blood tests. 

Similarities include:

• Food-based

• Science-based

• Work in community and clinical settings

Differences include:

Holistic Nutrition Professionals (HNPs)

• Teach a whole, organic, land-based, chemical-free, corporate-free approach to health.

• The main tenet of holistic nutrition is biochemical individuality, and therefore, HNPs develop Individualized programs to address client health concerns. Lifestyle is also taken into consideration when creating meal plans.

• Meal plans can be designed in all dietary formats: Vegan, Vegetarian, Paleo/Keto, Mediterranean, Traditional, and so on.

Registered Dietitians (RDs)

• RDs are encouraged by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics to teach the USDA’s MyPlate approach.* Meaning, they may recommend inflammatory and corporate products that fall under a standard calorie count.

• RDs will work with Doctors to get a stomach clamp operation (HNPs will never promote stomach clamps).

• RDs are encouraged to use Association guidelines when developing protocols for their patients, such as those published by the American Diabetes Association, the American Heart Association, etc.*

Q. Is Holistic Nutrition Consulting Science-based?

A. Yes! Absolutely! Holistic Nutrition aims at increasing your nutrition density by choosing foods that come from quality farms vs. conventional farms (pesticides and GMOs). Quality farms have quality soils, quality soil is what provides the nutritional density in all foods. Rather than be satisfied with symptom management with pills and supplements, we work with patients to find the root cause of symptoms to optimize health and well-being. We keep up with the latest science and research so people live longer, fuller lives free from disease.

Q. What kind of nutrition support does a Holistic Nutrition Consultant provide? 

A. Some of the nutrition support you will expect from a Holistic Nutrition Consultant will be: Meal Planning, Sports Nutrition, Weight Management, Emotional Eating, Depression, Anxiety, Gluten-Free Celiac Lifestyles, Digestive Health, Vitamin Deficiency support, Hormonal/Endocrine Health, Immune Support, Stress Reduction, Food Sensitivity Diets, Cancer Support, Diabetes Support, Pre-Natal and Post-Natal Support & More. 

Q. How is a Holistic Nutrition Professional Different from a Health Coach?

A. While there is some commonality in the scope of practice for health coaches and holistic nutrition professionals, a Health Coach is limited to motivational interviewing techniques (MIT).

Holistic Nutrition Professionals require extensive clinical education and knowledge that broadens their scope of practice beyond the limitations of health coaching. Many equaling or surpassing the education of an RD.

Q. What Does a Holistic Nutrition Professional Do?

A. Holistic Nutrition Professional advises and creates plans for individuals, families, and groups on how to improve diet, lifestyle, and attitude to promote health. He/she may work with a licensed healthcare provider (Family Doctor, Acupuncturist, etc.) to help individuals with diagnosed illnesses identify biochemical imbalances and toxicities that contribute to their poor health. His/her advice and support is founded on evidence-based and holistic principles.

Holistic nutrition professionals have advanced clinical education that enables them to make evidence-based health and well-being recommendations, coupled with health coaching skills that support and enhance client compliance. Their education is science-based, focusing on bio-individuality, the science of food, nutrient composition and density, anatomy, physiology, and biochemistry. HNPs are well-versed in research, critical thinking, and building client-counselor relationships.

Q. What kind of services are offered in Holistic Nutrition?

A. Holistic Nutrition Professionals typically offer the following types of services:

• Diet and lifestyle evaluation

• Teaching of healthy eating

• Shopping lists or tours to learn better shopping decisions

• Individual and Family Meal Planning

• Suggestions for improving lifestyle

• Suggestions for managing stress

• Meal plans for improved weight, mood, energy, sports nutrition, prevention and support for certain health conditions such as: diabetes, cancer, hormone balance, pre/post-natal, inflammation, depression, anxiety, stress, gut health, endocrine health, liver health, immune system health, Musculo-skeletal health, fibromyalgia,

• Teach classes on wellness and Holistic Nutrition

• Advise clients on basic wellness supplementation (real food preferred)

Q. What kind of Services do Holistic Nutrition Professionals offer?

A. As a Certified Nutrition Consultant, I offer personalized nutrition counseling, meal planning, dietary assessments, and recommendations. I also specialize in managing conditions like weight loss, digestive health, hormone support, cancer support, fibromyalgia support, pre/post-natal support, allergies, and overall wellness through food.

Also:

• Advise therapeutic menu and nutrients

• Research health issues

• Provide follow-up support

• Review laboratory assessments and customize a diet plan accordingly

• Summarize case and/or group findings

• Provide recommendations

• Builds nutrition plans based on your budget

• Teaches health professionals and consumers

• Consults with a licensed practitioner when needed

Role Delineation:

Our job is to bring unbiased health and nutrition information to friends, neighbors, associates, and the media. We educate the public on the cost/benefit of eating unprocessed, local, fresh, plant-based foods. There is value in taking quality nutritional products to manage chronic nutritional deficiencies and toxicities associated with lifestyle and environmentally related health problems.

WE DON’T:

• Practice Medical Nutrition (USDA values by Registered Dietitians)

• Diagnose disease (Talk to your Medical Doctor)

• Make unproven health claims

• Misrepresent training

• Use unproven devices, assessments, or therapies

• Use network marketing or product sales instead of individual client education

• Take insurance (Insurance companies typically don’t like to work with holistic wellness or make it difficult)

WE DO:

• Promote active lifestyles

• Teach healthy eating

• Promote Fresh, natural foods

• Educational emphasis

• Client-based, not method or product-based

• Refer to Doctors for medical conditions

• Have the highest standard of accountability and integrity

• Uses informed consent and full disclosure forms

Q. How do I know if I need a Holistic Nutrition Consultant?

A. If you’re struggling with chronic health issues like weight gain, fatigue, digestive problems, or food allergies, or if you simply want to improve your overall diet, a nutrition consultation can offer guidance.

Q. What types of diets do you recommend?

A. My approach is not one-size-fits-all. I focus on balanced, sustainable nutrition tailored to your unique goals, weight, height and values. This can include plant-based, gluten-free, keto, paleo, traditional or other dietary preferences based on your health objectives.

Q. What should I bring to my first consultation?

A. I will send you an intake form for you to fill out that will ask for relevant medical records, 3-5 day food diary, and details about your current diet and lifestyle. If you’re on any medications or supplements, it’s helpful to have that information too.

Q. Can you help me with weight loss?

A. Yes, I can provide a customized plan to help with weight loss through a combination of healthy eating, lifestyle changes, and nutritional guidance. My goal is to help you achieve sustainable, long-term results without restrictive dieting.

Q. Do you provide meal plans or recipes?

A. Yes, I offer personalized meal plans and recipe suggestions that align with your nutritional needs, preferences, and goals. These meal plans are designed to be easy to follow and sustainable for long-term success.

Q. How do I know if a holistic approach is right for me?

A. A holistic approach focuses on treating the body as a whole - mind, body, and spirit. If you’re interested in improving not just your physical health, but also your mental and emotional well-being, a holistic approach might resonate with you.