A nutrition counselor, or coach, is the one to go for when support is needed to navigate diet and lifestyle habits to improve nutrition.
I realize that it might sound more simple than it is because there’s a whole lot that a functional nutrition counselor can do. To practice functionally is to see the client as a whole person with a story, needs, and goals, before coming up with a set of diet and lifestyle modification strategies. This modality was born in the 1990s and is also characterized by a therapeutic relationship between counselor and client, for both to truly participate in the process. An INTEGRATIVE practice is similar, but not exactly the same. Learn more about it here: watch a video.
Part of my job is to bring to your awareness the connection between what you eat and how you feel, or between your nutrition and how it all relates to your current health issues. Practicing functionally also is to bring relaxation, movement, resilience, and networks to awareness, making it part of lifestyle habits to improve overall health and well-being. All things matter, physical health, mental health, nutrition, spirit, and emotions, because everything is interrelated, as we are whole human beings with a story and not just a set of signs and symptoms.
Nutrition coaching and the health care system
Functional nutrition coaching fills a gap in the health care system, it supports people between doctors’ appointments, or when doctors are unable to practice functionally due to their training and lack of time available to educate and help their patients with the step-by-step in their journey. Counseling supports people who want to minimize doctor visits, by improving diet and lifestyle habits to manage and/or prevent certain health issues, as well as to promote health or reach goals. This is a client’s centered approach where we use a variety of assessment tools to look into areas like hormone balance, oxidative stress, environmental inputs, immune and inflammatory balance, and gastrointestinal health, to make the connections between symptoms and diet and lifestyle habits to come up with recommendations.
Nutrition is the center of the approach because, from the functional nutrition perspective, the gut is at the core of health. There are no quick fixes. Changes in diet and lifestyle will allow clients to move toward performing at their best. The end goal is for them to be more aware and able to care for their nutrition and manage their own risk and reward system, after learning about their diet and lifestyle through functional nutrition counseling.
Nutritionist vs. Nutrition Coach vs. Dietitian
There are differences!
There are different paths to becoming a nutritionist. But in all cases, it requires a degree and it is a step towards a specialization in a certain area of health, food, or nutrition and they learn physiology and nutrition in depth. A nutritionist, as well as a nutrition coach, can work in a variety of settings, from private practices to schools, gyms, and health stores. A nutrition coach is often called a nutritionist and vice versa, but the difference is that the nutrition coach must be certified by an approved institution and the training includes aspects of coaching, aside from physiology and nutrition. Both cannot diagnose and treat diseases and dysfunctions, such as anemia, diabetes, bulimia, and obesity. They work in a holistic way and both can help clients to navigate their diets and manage issues related to nutrition.
A registered dietitian (RD) is a more regulated profession in the US and goes through specific training to get that level of accreditation. They usually work in clinical settings with doctors, like hospitals and clinics, and are prepared to treat diseases and prescribe diets.
A key point is having an understanding of what happens when food meets physiology. Which is different for everyone.
If you’re seeking help from a health professional, it comes down to first knowing what are your goals and then finding a professional whose experiences fit your needs. Consulting with a primary care physician can be a good start to help you establish the direction you need to go, whatever the state or country you may be.
I proudly say I completed my functional nutrition certification with the Functional Nutrition Alliance, under the teachings of the functional medicine nutritionist Andrea Nakayama and her team, through an intensive program that covers the body systems, food nutrients, and lifestyle. Please, check them out.
What can you do?
Nutritionists and coaches often offer a free first consultation specifically to help you determine if their services are a good fit for your needs. Don’t be shy and schedule meetings to get to know them and learn about how they can help you!
I’m Dani Salvado and I’m here to help! Let’s get to know each other. Schedule a 15-minute call here.
