Frequently asked questions.

What is Holistic Nutrition?

A natural approach to a healthy diet that includes natural, alive, and good quality foods. It uses evidence-based methods for diet, lifestyle, and detoxification while focusing specifically on the client (physiologically and life experiences) as opposed to taking a one size fits all approach. Holistic Nutrition takes into account the whole person, including body, mind, and spirit. The Nutritionist evaluates diet, lifestyle, health history, and the emotional state of an individual to help determine the root of his or her health issues.

What conditions does Holistic Nutrition help with?

A Holistic Nutritionist can help you to reach your personal health goals such as losing weight, sleeping better, preventing disease, switching to a specific type of diet such as plant-based or gluten-free, going organic, managing stress, etc.  But, can also help you to overcome health issues/concerns by supporting the body’s natural pull to come back into homeostasis or balance. 

I have a primary focus on digestive and gut health. You may be surprised to learn that poor intestinal health is the root of most dis-ease in the body. By working with you to repair and rebalance the gut, I’m also able to help with a number of other conditions including but not limited to:

  • Digestive complaints (bloating, gas, IBS, IBD, leaky gut, heartburn, GERD, Crohn’s, Colitis)

  • Auto-immune disease (there are over 80 types that have been named at this point)

  • Chronic inflammation (can present as pain, brain fog, swelling, or excessive mucous)

  • Joint pain or arthritis

  • Allergies and food intolerances and environmental sensitivities

  • Blood sugar management

  • Skin ailments (eczema, acne, rosacea, psoriasis)

  • Hormone imbalances

  • Nutritional deficiencies

  • Cholesterol management and cardiovascular health

  • Fungal and parasite overgrowths (including Candidiasis)

  • Headaches and migraines

  • Fatigue or low energy

  • Recurrent infections (sinus, throat, ear, UTI, yeast, etc)

  • Mood disorders (depression, anxiety)

What is the difference between a Dietician and a Holistic Nutritionist?

A Dietician is a regulated healthcare professional who mainly works in a clinical setting, such as hospitals, nursing homes, medical clinics, public health units, or as part of home care services provided by the government.  Some dieticians specialize in weight loss or work within athletic settings and Dieticians also start their own clinics or practices.  They offer advice on nutrition and diet based on government-sanctioned food protocols, such as Canada’s food guide (a one size fits all approach), in order to reduce the symptoms of disease or to help you reach your health goals.

In Canada, Holistic Nutritionists are not regulated by the government but do have industry regulations in place where we conduct ourselves on a code of ethics and must stay within our scope of practice.  Because we are not regulated by government policy, we do not work in the government sector or in hospitals but instead at the grassroots level with individuals, families, groups, communities, and even in the corporate sector.  We also work alongside Naturopathic Doctors, Chiropractors, Massage Therapists, Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners, and Herbalists.  Our approach to nutrition is based on the use of symptomatology and looking at the whole person, including medical history, current diet, stress levels, and emotional well-being to offer a personalized nutritional plan, individual to the client to help bring the body back into balance.  

It is important to note that in Canada, the term Registered Dietician (RD) is a protected title, which means that this title can only be used by persons who have completed specific training and are members of a particular association.  The term “Nutritionist” is only protected in Alberta, Quebec, and Nova Scotia.  This means that in all other provinces, anyone can legally use “Nutritionist” as their title.  For this reason, it is important that you make sure that the Holistic Nutritionist that you are working with has completed a provincially licensed program and board exam such as a graduate from CSNN or IHN.

Are your services covered under insurance plans?

Each insurance company and plan is unique in the services that it will cover. If seeing a Holistic Nutritionist is contingent upon insurance being available, I recommend that you call your insurance provider directly to ask them if they cover Nutritionist (not Dietician or Naturopathic) services before making an appointment. Some insurance plans contain a “Health Spending” or “Health Flex” add-on and this often covers Nutrition services. Another term that may be covered is “Nutrition Counseling”. After each session, I provide a receipt that contains all relevant information to send to your insurance company. If your insurance does not cover Nutrition services, you may be able to claim your receipt at tax time under “medical receipts”.