Holistic nutrition is an approach to whole-body wellness that goes beyond eating healthy meals. It incorporates practices that support not only physical health but also mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being.

Holistic dietitians recognize that each of these systems, found in every human being on planet Earth, has the potential to influence your health. Besides meal planning and exercising, working with a holistic dietitian may include learning stress management, improving sleep hygiene, and developing a spiritual practice.

What is Holistic Nutrition?

Holistic nutrition is a whole-person approach to health and wellness that integrates physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual counseling and practices. It’s based on the philosophy that many factors in a person’s life determine health—not just eating healthy food. Holistic nutrition considers how stress, relationships, personal fulfillment, and more impact the body’s ability to function and achieve optimal health.

Of course, holistic nutrition still includes some traditional nutrition counseling and education. Healthy eating is a cornerstone of holistic nutrition, but the approach to diet is highly individual and takes each person’s preferences, sensitivities, and lifestyle into account. In general, holistic dietitians encourage clients to eat a primarily whole-foods diet that includes plenty of nutrient-dense foods and decreases the intake of highly processed foods.

What is a Holistic Nutrition Professional?

Holistic nutrition professionals may include registered dietitian nutritionists, certified nutritionists, health coaches, and other health professionals. Although the education and training requirements differ for these professional nutrition titles, holistic nutrition professionals share the whole-person approach to health and wellness and recognize the individuality of each client. 

Holistic nutrition professionals usually work one-on-one with individuals but may also offer small-group nutritional counseling. Holistic nutritionists focus on improving diet and daily habits, such as mindfulness practices and stress-busting techniques, to enhance overall health.

What’s the Difference Between a Holistic Dietician and a Holistic Nutritionist?

A registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) can practice holistic principles, but not all holistic nutritionists have the same level of education and nutrition expertise as RDNs.

RDN is a professional credential that dietitians receive after completing extensive coursework and training in medical nutrition therapy and nutrition science at accredited universities. RDNs must complete ongoing professional education to maintain their credentials and are usually licensed in the state they practice. RDNs are considered the gold standard for excellence in nutrition counseling.

Holistic nutritionists may complete a nutrition certification course, but generally, there is no standard education, training, or certification process for this title. Unlike RDNs, holistic nutritionists and health coaches are not qualified to provide medical nutrition therapy and do not work in clinical settings.

What Conditions Does a Holistic Dietitian Help Manage?

Just like clinical and private practice registered dietitians, holistic nutritionists can help patients manage a wide range of medical diagnoses and health conditions. They can also work with nutrition clients who have general health concerns, such as losing a few pounds, improving gut health, or increasing energy levels.

Some holistic nutritionists may specialize in specific topics, such as:

• Chronic Conditions: Chronic conditions may include autoimmune disorders, diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, and pain disorders. Holistic nutrition typically focuses on reducing inflammation, improving metabolic health, and minimizing complications related to these diagnoses.
• Digestive Health: Holistic nutritionists can work with individuals to improve gut health and reduce symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and food sensitivities.
• Hormone Health: Holistic nutritional counseling can help balance hormones to support stress levels and reproductive health. Nutrition and lifestyle interventions can be especially beneficial for women struggling with premenstrual syndrome (PMS), polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), and menopause.

Weight Management: Holistic nutritionists bring the whole-body approach to weight loss and maintenance. Besides counting calories and increasing exercise, holistic nutrition employs other strategies to help you lose weight, like intuitive eating and focusing on emotional health.

What are the Benefits of Working with Holistic Dietitians?

Here are some of the many benefits you can expect from working with a holistic nutritionist:

Personalized Guidance and Nutrition Plans for a Healthy Diet

Holistic nutritionists understand the concept of bio-individuality, which means everyone is different, and the nutrition advice that works for one person won’t work for all. Working one-on-one with a holistic nutritionist ensures you receive individualized advice and recommendations that are unique to your health history, health goals, lifestyle, and preferences. Your custom nutrition plan may include meal plans, meal timing, specific foods to eat more or less of, and exercise, sleep, and stress management recommendations.

Learn the Foundations of Proper Nutrition

A holistic nutritionist will help you learn about all the nutrients your body needs and in which amounts to function optimally. This includes education on the three macronutrients (carbohydrates, fats, and protein), plus vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Holistic nutrition services will teach you which foods are good sources of nutrients, what counts as portion size, and how to make informed food choices at grocery stores, restaurants, on vacations, and more.

A holistic nutritionist may also help you identify trigger foods that don’t agree with you. Such foods may cause bloating, headaches, low energy, or other symptoms related to a medical diagnosis. Your nutritionist can help you find alternatives.

Improve Your Overall Health

The ultimate goal of holistic nutrition is to improve vitality and longevity and treat or minimize your risk of chronic health problems. This means focusing on physical and mental well-being. Besides improving nutrient status, a holistic dietitian will assess exercise levels, sleep patterns, and your current mental health state. Together, you’ll identify which areas of your life need improving and come up with an action plan to take the first steps to a healthier tomorrow.

Improved Relationship with Food

You may or may not be aware of how the beliefs you hold toward certain foods or how specific emotions influence your eating habits. This will all become more clear when working with a holistic nutrition professional. Developing a positive relationship with food is a crucial part of achieving a healthier lifestyle.

Holistic nutritionists can help you navigate the mixed messages found in the media and diet culture. Instead of labeling individual foods as “good” or “bad,” you’ll learn to nourish yourself in a sustainable way that includes both natural foods and pleasure foods. You’ll also learn how to honor your body’s normal hunger and fullness cues.

Ongoing Support for Your Nutrition and Health Goals

Long-term health goals take hard work and dedication to achieve. Holistic nutritionists can provide check-ins and accountability to keep you on track as you make changes to your diet and lifestyle to support your health goals. They can help you stay motivated, answer questions, and provide continued education as you navigate your health journey.

Conclusion

Holistic nutrition recognizes the interconnectedness of body, mind, and spirit and understands each is equally important in achieving a healthy lifestyle. The holistic approach focuses on the whole person and how each aspect of your life influences your health and well-being. A holistic nutrition professional can support your wellness journey with personalized guidance to improve overall health and develop a better relationship with food. 

If you’re interested in a holistic nutrition approach, consider a registered dietitian who combines holistic practices with evidence-based nutrition recommendations.