What is holistic nutrition?
Holistic Nutrition focuses on preventing and reversing nutritional imbalances in the body. When the body is out of balance, disease can be created and symptoms are experienced. These symptoms are the body’s way of communicating that problems are manifesting. If balance is not restored, symptoms and disease can worsen. It is the role of a holistic nutritionist to determine where the imbalances are and provide a thorough and individualized plan to restore this balance. This process helps initiate the healing over the body which in tern prevents and in many cases, reverses illness.
What tools does a holistic nutritionist use to create balance in the body?
The cells in the body are built from food that is consumed. If that food is healthy, nutrient dense, and free from harmful chemicals, cells will reflect this and thus allow for optimal health and vitality. On the other hand, eating a diet that is unhealthy, nutrient poor and chemical-laden will create imbalance and can lead to disease. Therefore, holistic nutritionists focus on cellular nutrition. This means that the focal point is on how to get the best quality and highest number of micronutrients into the body within the daily allowance of food consumption. The foundation for a cellular nutrition protocol is whole foods; however, nutritionists will also use supplements, herbs, lifestyle counseling, emotional support, etc to create optimal cellular health.
What is to be expected when visiting a holistic nutritionist?
Working with a holistic nutritionist will involve an extensive fact gathering visit which will allow for the assessment of symptoms, health concerns, health history, dietary restrictions, current state of health, and current dietary practices. From this information, the nutritionist will be able to better assess which imbalances exist within the body and the root cause of those imbalances. With this knowledge, a thorough and customized protocol will be created. Everyone has a unique biochemistry. Therefore, two people can have the same disease or similar symptoms and yet have completely different root causes for the imbalance. This is why an individualized approach is most effective.
Who should see a holistic nutritionist?
Many people can benefit from seeing a holistic nutritionist. Whether the goal is to gain additional nutrition advice, help improve the nutrition of your family, or the reversal of unwanted symptoms and illness, a nutritionist can play a vital role in improving your state of health. Here are some questions you can ask yourself to uncover if it may be beneficial to see a holistic nutritionist:
- Do you want to learn how you can optimize your diet?
- Do you want to uncover food sensitivities and learn how to manage your diet around them?
- Do you want to improve mood and energy levels?
- Are you experiencing hormone imbalance?
- Do you have extra weight you would like to lose?
- Are you interested in preventing or reversing unwanted symptoms and disease?
- Do you want to work with a coach who can help motivate and guide you towards improving your overall health?
- Would you like to execute certain types of diets in a healthy way (e.g. vegan, vegetarian, raw, omnivore, detox, cleanse, etc.)?
If you answered yes to any of the above questions, the support from a holistic nutritionist will help you achieve your individualized health goals.
Are the services of a holistic nutritionist covered by the government or by insurance companies?
The government does not directly cover the cost of seeing a holistic nutritionist. Some (but not all) insurance plans will cover this service. It is best to check with your benefits provider to determine if you are eligible to receive coverage for the services of a holistic nutritionist. If you learn that you do not receive coverage, we suggest that you let your insurance company know that you feel this service offering is a valuable service for you and your colleagues. Encouraging them to provide coverage may help to improve coverage for you in the future.
Do holistic nutritionists cure disease?
No. The definition of a cure is “a substance or treatment that cures a disease or condition.” Holistic nutritionists work to help prevent and reverse symptoms and illnesses in the body. This is done by providing the body with what it needs to heal itself. Holistic nutritionists do not replace the advice of a medical doctor or naturopathic doctor. In fact many holistic nutritionists work alongside these professionals to be able to ensure their clients receive the best integrative care.
