Frequently asked questions
Why should I hire a nutritionist?
If you are thinking of hiring a nutritionist, I would recommend doing it! You have probably gotten to a stage where your body is yelling at you, where you are in pain all the time, or so fatigued that you need a nap after a little exercise, or just can’t lose that stubborn weight. But, you’re not sure what a nutritionist can do for you. Don’t let fear of the unknown get in your way! Most of us have had our own health issues that brought us to the nutrition field. We’ve been where you are now, so we understand what you are going through and can streamline your way back to health. Many also offer a free consult (or strategy session) so you can see just how you can best be helped. Take advantage of this!
What is a holistic nutritionist?
Let’s talk about what holistic means. Holism is a concept that looks at the entire person, taking into account the psychological, emotional and physical needs of the person. We look at why you are not feeling well and make recommendations based on an extensive health history, food journal and lab tests.
How does a holistic nutritionist differ from a Registered dietician?
A holistic nutritionist studies the same basic science as dieticians, but we follow a different school of thought on how to approach health and healing. We have gone to schools with holistic based programs where the education centers around finding out why you are not feeling well and we work with you to enhance your quality of life. We use food therapeutically to help you heal and stress the use of whole, organic, chemical free foods that are high quality and meant to build health. We use our sessions to educate you on how to make better choices to regain your health. What you eat creates your cells, so if you are eating high quality food and using high quality supplements, you will have high quality cells that are building your foundation for health! Many holistic nutritionists work alongside doctors, chiropractors, acupuncturists and other health care practitioners. Some holistic nutritionists like myself, go the extra mile and become Board Certified in Holistic Nutrition®.
A registered dietician has earned a degree in dietetics and learns a curriculum that is approved by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) which was formerly the American Dietetic Association (ADA). They are licensed and regulated by the government. They practice medical nutrition therapy which means they use the USDA guidelines that are based on recommended daily allowances which does not allow for personalization. They also use food, but the quality is not always stressed and they typically follow the USDA myplate model. Most often Registered dieticians work in hospitals, schools and government.
Holistic nutrition is typically sought after Western Medicine has failed.
Do you take insurance?
Unfortunately insurance companies do not cover holistic nutrition, they may cover medical nutrition therapy, when prescribed by a physician and furnished by a licensed provider. Holistic nutritionists are not licensed, but I recommend that you check with your insurance carrier to see if it is a covered benefit under a health savings account.
Also keep in mind that when an insurance carrier covers nutrition, they don’t allow for the amount of time it actually takes for us to get to know your specific health issues.
I am concerned about the changes you are going to recommend.
I like to make slow changes so they are more likely to stick. What I recommend is an eating plan that fits into your life, it’s not a diet, it’s a lifetime plan so it’s easily adjustable as your needs and taste change.
When will I start to feel better?
Some people feel better immediately; others may take a little more time to feel the effects of your body healing itself. Everyone is different and unique so the amount of time it takes is dependent a lot upon that.
Why does it take so long?
Change doesn’t happen overnight. If you are dealing with a diagnosed health condition like diabetes, you have likely not been feeling yourself for quite some time but have accepted these symptoms as a sign of getting older. Your body has amazing capabilities to heal and you can start to feel better quickly, but it takes a lot of work and will take a little more time than most people think.
Can’t you just give me a prescription?
Prescriptions are not within my scope of practice, the only thing I "prescribe" are dietary changes.
I do, however, feel that medications mask your symptoms giving you the illusion that you feel better.. While you are taking the medication, more damage is happening inside your body but you are lured into thinking that you are fine. For instance, let's say you have been diagnosed with high cholesterol, you take the medication as prescribed, your cholesterol levels go down so you think you're healed and make no dietary changes. Why should you, your cholesterol is now in the normal range right? Meanwhile, damage is still happening in your body but because of the medication your numbers look good and you have a false sense of security. This is definitely a health issue that can be helped via diet changes (even if you are taking the prescription medication).
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Why should I hire a nutritionist?
If you are thinking of hiring a nutritionist, I would recommend doing it! You have probably gotten to a stage where your body is yelling at you, where you are in pain all the time, or so fatigued that you need a nap after a little exercise, or just can’t lose that stubborn weight. But, you’re not sure what a nutritionist can do for you. Don’t let fear of the unknown get in your way! Most of us have had our own health issues that brought us to the nutrition field. We’ve been where you are now, so we understand what you are going through and can streamline your way back to health. Many also offer a free consult (or strategy session) so you can see just how you can best be helped. Take advantage of this!
What is a holistic nutritionist?
Let’s talk about what holistic means. Holism is a concept that looks at the entire person, taking into account the psychological, emotional and physical needs of the person. We look at why you are not feeling well and make recommendations based on an extensive health history, food journal and lab tests.
How does a holistic nutritionist differ from a Registered dietician?
A holistic nutritionist studies the same basic science as dieticians, but we follow a different school of thought on how to approach health and healing. We have gone to schools with holistic based programs where the education centers around finding out why you are not feeling well and we work with you to enhance your quality of life. We use food therapeutically to help you heal and stress the use of whole, organic, chemical free foods that are high quality and meant to build health. We use our sessions to educate you on how to make better choices to regain your health. What you eat creates your cells, so if you are eating high quality food and using high quality supplements, you will have high quality cells that are building your foundation for health! Many holistic nutritionists work alongside doctors, chiropractors, acupuncturists and other health care practitioners. Some holistic nutritionists like myself, go the extra mile and become Board Certified in Holistic Nutrition®.
A registered dietician has earned a degree in dietetics and learns a curriculum that is approved by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) which was formerly the American Dietetic Association (ADA). They are licensed and regulated by the government. They practice medical nutrition therapy which means they use the USDA guidelines that are based on recommended daily allowances which does not allow for personalization. They also use food, but the quality is not always stressed and they typically follow the USDA myplate model. Most often Registered dieticians work in hospitals, schools and government.
Holistic nutrition is typically sought after Western Medicine has failed.
Do you take insurance?
Unfortunately insurance companies do not cover holistic nutrition, they may cover medical nutrition therapy, when prescribed by a physician and furnished by a licensed provider. Holistic nutritionists are not licensed, but I recommend that you check with your insurance carrier to see if it is a covered benefit under a health savings account.
Also keep in mind that when an insurance carrier covers nutrition, they don’t allow for the amount of time it actually takes for us to get to know your specific health issues.
I am concerned about the changes you are going to recommend.
I like to make slow changes so they are more likely to stick. What I recommend is an eating plan that fits into your life, it’s not a diet, it’s a lifetime plan so it’s easily adjustable as your needs and taste change.
When will I start to feel better?
Some people feel better immediately; others may take a little more time to feel the effects of your body healing itself. Everyone is different and unique so the amount of time it takes is dependent a lot upon that.
Why does it take so long?
Change doesn’t happen overnight. If you are dealing with a diagnosed health condition like diabetes, you have likely not been feeling yourself for quite some time but have accepted these symptoms as a sign of getting older. Your body has amazing capabilities to heal and you can start to feel better quickly, but it takes a lot of work and will take a little more time than most people think.
Can’t you just give me a prescription?
Prescriptions are not within my scope of practice, the only thing I "prescribe" are dietary changes.
I do, however, feel that medications mask your symptoms giving you the illusion that you feel better.. While you are taking the medication, more damage is happening inside your body but you are lured into thinking that you are fine. For instance, let's say you have been diagnosed with high cholesterol, you take the medication as prescribed, your cholesterol levels go down so you think you're healed and make no dietary changes. Why should you, your cholesterol is now in the normal range right? Meanwhile, damage is still happening in your body but because of the medication your numbers look good and you have a false sense of security. This is definitely a health issue that can be helped via diet changes (even if you are taking the prescription medication).
I