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What is the Holistic Nutrition Approach to health?
As a Registered Holistic Nutritionist, I use a science-based and practical approach to health while considering you as a unique individual. All of us have…
- Specific nutritional needs and requirements based on our biochemistry and age/phase of life.
- Experienced health challenges or poor health at some point in our lives and some of us may be living with a chronic illness or recurrent disease/illness.
- Lifestyle habits that for better or worse directly influence our health and wellness
Health is multifaced and a very individual experience. I believe the Holistic Nutrition approach to health considers our individuality and the many external influences that affect our health. Holistic Nutrition can support our health during times of great change (ie. pregnancy and puberty), through illness and imbalance and when we place high demands on our body (ie. living a face-paced life with unmanaged stress). Our body has the natural ability to heal, repair and maintain optimal function if we provided it with what it needs…whole foods and healthy lifestyle choices.
The Application of Holistic Nutrition
1) Whole foods
What’s a whole food?
A whole food is a food that is in its natural state or ‘pure’ form that has not been modified or processed. (These foods don’t need labels or ingredient lists). The foundation of a whole foods diet is predominantly plants, including vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, seeds, and nuts.
Why whole foods?
These foods offer us the biggest bang for our buck! Whole foods are filled with tons of vital nutrients, essential vitamins/minerals (we need to get them from food), fiber (necessary for absorption/elimination), loaded with live enzymes (assist the body with the many chemical reactions), and phytonutrients (powerful/healthy stuff). Fueling our cells, and assisting metabolic function, whole nutrient-dense foods have the power to heal, repair, and create better health and wellbeing.
2) Whole foods supplements (if required):
What is a whole food supplement?
Whole food supplements are typically concentrated and/or dehydrated plants, such as whole grains, tubers, legumes, fruits, and vegetables. These supplements are prepared in a way that protects their nutrient quantity/quality thus offering highly concentrated amounts of the desired nutrients in a relatively small amount.
When to Supplement?
Getting natural nutrients from whole foods is always the first and better option. However, there are some situations when taking a supplement may be beneficial or necessary. Circumstances for considering supplementation include…
- You have a known deficiency
- There are high energy demands on the body (athletes, pregnancy)
- High-stress lifestyle
- Chronic Disease or illness
- Reduced digestive capabilities or unable to absorb nutrients due to reduced hydrochloric acid (stomach acid) or other digestive enzymes (pancreatic/liver).
3) Lifestyle:
What is a healthy lifestyle? Eating more veggies, not smoking, and exercising more? Yup, but also; and you might be surprised to hear this; there are other lifestyle choices you can make that have huge health impacts…Research is telling us that a good sleep routine, stress management, and regular exercise are top of the list for lifestyle modifications that support good health.
- Sleep Hygiene: Prioritizing sleep and establishing a good sleep routine can be one of the best things you can do for your health. The sleep-wake cycle is one of our many circadian rhythms that occur within a 24-hour period. When we sleep deeply and for long enough (most adults need between 8-10 hrs) we are supporting this natural circadian rhythm and allowing it to do its job…balance hormones (regulate our moods, improve our memory,) normalize blood sugar/insulin levels (manage our weight), assist with cellular repair and immune system modulation, etc…Sleep pretty much keeps us healthy and ready to take on a new day and all its challenges. I emphasize the importance of working with your natural circadian rhythm and establishing good sleep hygiene practices in all my Holistic Nutrition plans.
- Stress management: Stress is unavoidable, and a part of most of our everyday lives. However, unmanaged, or prolonged stress can have serious consequences on our health. In a stressful situation, our sympathetic nervous system kicks in (aka fight or flight mode) and noradrenaline and adrenaline are released throughout the body. This is ok for a little while as it helps us manage and quickly adapt to stress, however, if we constantly perceive stress (as most North Americans do…work, life, family, health delicately balanced) these powerful hormones quickly overburden and tax our system affecting our heart/cardiovascular system, respiratory system, liver, and blood glucose regulation.
As part of the Holistic Nutrition approach to health, I help my clients recognize and identify stressors, provide natural methods for stress reduction, provide food lists/plans that support and help the body cope with stress (focus on adrenal, hormone function, and blood sugar regulation) and provide them with tips and tools to turn off the sympathetic nervous system and activate the parasympathetic nervous system (rest and recovery mode).
- Movement/Exercise: Incorporating movement and exercise (within your capabilities) into your daily routine is an important part of Holistic Nutrition. The benefits of regular movement and exercise are well researched (blood sugar regulation, detoxification, weight management, mental health benefits, and improved cardiovascular system to name a few). The hard part is finding how to incorporate it and make it part of our regular routine. When customizing your individual Holistic Nutrition plan, I consider your health status, your physical capabilities, and which exercises may be best suited to your body. The goal is to make regular movement/exercise a new habit, make it fun, and help you feel connected to your physical body.
The Holistic Nutrition Plan in ACTION:
- In-depth health and lifestyle intake and assessment (This session won’t be rushed, and I gather as much info about you and your health as possible)
- Customized Holistic Nutrition plans that utilize whole foods, whole foods supplements (if required), and lifestyle modification (sleep hygiene, stress management, exercise/movement).
The Results:
- Meet your specific individual needs and requirements
- Target your specific health concerns
- Helps you reach your health goals
- Improve and achieve greater health and wellbeing
My Health Mission
My Mission is to create relationships, promote health and make a difference!
- I believe everyone can make healthy choices and achieve better health and well-being with holistic nutrition.
- My mission is to empower you and give you the knowledge and skills to make healthy decisions and choices for yourself regarding nutrition and lifestyle.
- I believe in using the latest available research and clinical evidence to guide my practice and provide you with accurate and current information.
- I am passionate about nutrition, living a healthy lifestyle, and helping others feel better and reach their health goals.
- My mission is to help you develop sustainable healthy habits and have a loving and healthy relationship with food.
- I believe in creating sustainable change which takes time, dedication, and the right strategies. I don’t believe in diets, magic pills, quick fixes or one diet fits all. Health is a multifaceted combination of nutrition and lifestyle choices.
- Health is not as complicated as the health industry would have you believe…you don’t have to spend huge amounts of money on gyms, memberships, personal trainers, supplements, protein powders, and supplements to be healthy.
- I believe our bodies have the natural ability to heal, repair and maintain optimal function if you provide them with what it needs…whole foods, and healthy lifestyle choices.
I am deeply committed to helping guide you on this transformative journey toward better health and wellbeing. If these statements make sense and align with your beliefs, then let’s work together!
