When you think of seeing a nutritionist, what sorts of issues do you think of?
Weight loss (or weight gain) likely comes to mind, as diet plays a huge role in this.
Others might see a nutritionist to ensure they’re eating a varied diet, and getting enough vitamins and minerals without the need for additional supplementation.
Or perhaps you’ve recently been diagnosed with a condition such as Crohn’s disease or celiac disease, and need assistance planning a diet which revolves around certain food restrictions.
However, if you’re studying for a diploma in holistic nutrition you’ll quickly learn the role of a registered holistic nutritionist can go well beyond the obvious.
Keep reading to see what other issues you, as a nutritionist, will be able to help clients with.
Beyond Diet
The food we eat (or don’t eat) can set the tone for our day, our weeks, and even our lives.
Food has an outsized impact on our health, and not just due to the energy it provides us to do our daily tasks.
Someone who normally eats a hearty breakfast may quickly become hungry and unable to focus if they skip their morning meal.
Eating a heavy meal can literally have the effect of leaving you feeling “weighed down” as compared to when you eat a meal full of fruits and fresh vegetables.
And for some people, certain foods can lead to digestive issues, brain fog, or other issues you might not immediately expect.
As a newly trained registered holistic nutritionist, there are a wide array of issues beyond helping people lose weight, or ensuring they’re getting their vitamins which you can help with.
Let’s have a look at some of these.
1. Fertility Issues
If you’re planning to get pregnant, then you’ll want to ensure you’re in good health.
First there’s ensuring you have good fertility to help you (or your partner) get pregnant in the first place.
And once a baby has started growing, there’s the whole issue of carrying another human being for nine months, which is going to have an impact as well.
A registered holistic nutritionist can ensure you’re getting the nutrients your body needs to ensure peak fertility when you’re trying to conceive, as well as the healthy development of your child in the womb.
2. Improving Athletic Performance
If you ask any competitive athlete what the most important factors are for their performance, chances are diet is pretty high on that list.
Beyond getting enough calories to support activity levels, factors such as the levels of macronutrients (fats, carbohydrates, and proteins), micronutrients (vitamins and minerals), and the timing of when they eat can have a huge impact on athletic performance.
Registered holistic nutritionists can have a look at your current diet and eating habits and suggest dietary changes to maximize your athletic performance.
3. Anxiety & Depression
In recent years, the connection between the body and mind has become even more apparent than in the past.
For instance, the role of exercise to help control and reduce stress has been well documented.
At the same time, emotional eating from anxiety is common as well.
Another tool which can help manage mental health is diet — the foods you eat can help nourish the mind, and the body.
There are certain nutritional deficiencies that can cause depression, and herbs that can soothe anxiety, just to give two quick examples.
4. Digestive Disorders
It’s not normal to constantly experience digestive issues such as constipation, diarrhea, and acid reflux.
Many people, however, experience these regularly due to the foods they’re eating every day as well as the stress and emotions they experience.
A registered holistic nutritionist can help you determine which parts of your diet may be responsible for the discomfort you’re experiencing and help create a meal plan which your body will be better able to tolerate.
5. Optimizing Hormones
The foods you eat can impact your hormones.
For instance, protein intake has an impact on the release of the hormone ghrelin which helps you feel full, and this is one of the reasons why it’s important to get enough protein in your diet.
Another example of a food which can impact your hormones is sugar.
Too much sugar can impact insulin levels and lead to insulin resistance.
Conversely, healthy fats may aid in reducing insulin resistance.
If you’re experiencing hormonal issues, a registered holistic nutritionist can help you plan a diet which can help manage some of these hormone fluctuations.
Contact The Edison Institute Of Nutrition Today
It’s really amazing what food can do to help or harm your body.
Beyond just providing fuel for your daily activities it can affect your digestion, mood, fertility, hormones, athletic performance and a lot more.
As a registered holistic nutritionist, you will have the opportunity to make a big difference in the health of your clients through helping them make changes to their diet.
If you’re ready to take the next step to become a registered holistic nutritionist contact us at the Edison Institute of Nutrition today to learn more about our programs and offerings.
