Why Our Program Does NOT Revolve Around Dietary “Theories”
Trying to fit a client into a dietary ‘theory’ is often like trying to fit a round peg into a square hole. It is a hit and miss when it comes to finding what fits, and you can get so hung up on trying to pick the best one that you lose sight of the individual needs of the client.
Now don’t get us wrong; being familiar with dietary theories is great for your professional toolbox. We do introduce you to many of the key players, but we don’t focus your education and practice around it. Doing so can quickly work against you as a professional, and makes it easy to lose sight of the unique needs of each client.
In other words…while dietary theories can definitely complement your studies, it is not the main focus of your studies.
The focus in our programs is teaching you how to effectively assess the needs of your client, so you can use the in-depth knowledge you obtained through your studies to create a tailored lifestyle and dietary plan specific to their physiological requirements, preexisting conditions, potential sensitivities, health history, level of readiness, and overall constitution.
Here you will receive comprehensive training in mind/body/spirit nutrition & health including coaching skills, and various holistic therapeutic diets that fit specific needs & conditions – the most common needs & conditions you will be working with on a daily basis.
Once you understand the nutritional requirements for optimal functioning of the body, and the therapeutic protocols for the issues your client has, recommending a dietary theory will be a breeze because you will be educated to make the modifications your client needs to thrive. It is important to recognize that each client will have different needs. Protocols are a great platform but you will need to customize each one to each specific client.
Remember…nutrition is not just about following a theory or protocol, choosing, chewing, and swallowing food. It is also about what is going on in the body and how the body assimilates the nutrients in the food.
What’s going on in there?
As mentioned above, you have to know what is going on in the body. Extraction and assimilation of nutrients involve complex chemical processes in the body. How well your body does this depends on a host of factors including but not limited to; the health of your digestive system, stress you carry in your mind and body, lifestyle factors, medical conditions, medications, how the foods are prepared, time of day, and so on.
So much more than just food
Nutrition is also about pleasing the senses and leaving you satisfied; not deprived. Food is deeply connected with nurturing, nourishing, family, gatherings, community, culture, history, and so much more.
The other side of the coin is knowing how to work with clients to promote lasting change. Change can be incredibly hard and it is often a massive struggle trying to get a client to comply with recommendations unless you are armed with coaching skills that can change habits, and challenge deeply embedded beliefs.
People don’t just have food-issues, they have ‘self-issues’. Whether it be loneliness, fear, stress, past trauma, lack of self-esteem and self-respect, or a crisis of spirit; knowing how to dig deep will help uncover the root trigger points.
