This month, we’re honored to spotlight Helen Paquette, NutraPhoria Alumni and Licensed Holistic Nutrition Practitioner (LHNP). Helen’s work is grounded in a deeply holistic, whole-body approach to nutrition – one that looks far beyond just food to understand how metabolism, blood sugar, hormones, inflammation, and lived experience all weave together. Guided by both professional training and personal journey, her path into holistic nutrition was shaped by a desire to truly understand why the body responds the way it does. In this interview, Helen shares how curiosity, continued learning, and compassionate, relationship-based care continue to shape her practice – and why staying humble, present, and connected is at the heart of meaningful, lasting wellness.
Can you share a bit about your background, specialization, and what first inspired you to pursue holistic nutrition?
My background is rooted in a holistic approach to nutrition that considers the whole person, not just food, but how the body’s systems work together alongside lifestyle, stress, and life experiences. Over time, my focus started to shift more specifically toward metabolic health, including inflammation, hormone balance, and blood sugar regulation, as I began to see how central these systems are to overall wellbeing.
That understanding was shaped not only through professional training, but through personal experience. When my children were young, they experienced a range of mild to moderate health concerns, and later, one of them was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Walking through that journey pushed me to look beyond symptom-based approaches and explore nutrition, metabolic health, and the role blood sugar and insulin play in the body. Through that process, it became clear just how foundational insulin balance is, influencing energy, inflammation, hormones, mood, and overall health which naturally guided the direction of my work.
How has your perspective on health and wellness changed or evolved since studying Holistic Nutrition? This is answered above more thoroughly, however, it has evolved naturally though lived experience, training and practice
What’s your unique approach to holistic nutrition, and how does it shape the way you support your clients? My approach to holistic nutrition is very relationship-based and individualized. I don’t believe in one-size-fits-all plans, because people don’t live one-size-fits-all lives. I look at how the body’s systems are working together, but I also take the time to understand the person, their lifestyle, stress, history, and what feels realistic for them right now. In practice, that means I stay connected with my clients beyond just scheduled appointments. Clients are able to reach out with questions between sessions, and while clear boundaries are always discussed and respected, I don’t want someone sitting with uncertainty or stress over a simple question until their next appointment weeks away. That ongoing support helps people feel supported, confident, and empowered to make changes as they go. At the same time, I’m mindful of balance for both, my clients, and for myself. I believe support works best when it’s flexible, responsive, and respectful on both sides.
How do you stay inspired and continue growing in the ever-evolving world of holistic wellness?
I stay inspired by what I’m seeing every day in the world of health and wellness. There is a growing awareness around chronic symptoms, metabolic dysfunction, hormone imbalances, and conditions that feel new or increasingly common for many people. At the same time, we’re seeing more highly processed and convenience-based foods introduced earlier in life, and the connection between food, metabolic stress, and long-term health is becoming harder to ignore.
What continues to motivate me is the opportunity to better understand why the body responds the way it does. Through ongoing education, hands-on experience, and training in live blood analysis, I’m able to see firsthand how different systems and pathways interact, from blood sugar and inflammation to digestion, circulation, and nutrient status. That real-time insight continually deepens my curiosity and reinforces how interconnected the body truly is.
Holistic wellness is not a field where learning ever stops. New research, patterns, and connections are always emerging, and every client brings a unique story. That constant evolution is what keeps me engaged, grounded, and committed to continuing my education so I can support people with clarity, integrity, and compassion.
Since becoming a holistic nutrition professional, what’s one habit or daily ritual you’ve implemented that has had the biggest impact on your well-being?
One habit that’s made the biggest difference for me is being consistent with my supplements, always alongside proper nutrition. Food is the foundation, supplements support what food alone sometimes can’t. I often explain to clients that supplements are a bit like a therapist for the body; they don’t replace the work we do day to day, but they help fill in the gaps and support areas that need extra care.
I also make a point of supporting my lymphatic system regularly, including using a vibration plate. Keeping those supports consistent has helped my body feel more regulated, less inflamed, and overall just function better.
Can you share a standout success story or transformation from a client that deeply impacted you?
I’ve worked with many clients who came to me feeling uncomfortable in their bodies, dealing with bloating, inflammation, digestive issues, puffiness, and a general sense that something just wasn’t right. Often, the first shifts happen internally before anything shows up on the scale. Some of the most meaningful feedback I hear is about reduced inflammation, improved bowel function, and a loss of inches or puffiness people didn’t even realize they were carrying. I also hear women say they feel less irritable, less emotionally reactive, and more patient with their kids and families. Mood feels more stable, energy more consistent, and there’s a sense of feeling calmer and more grounded in their day-to-day life. What impacts me most is seeing how much lighter people feel, not just physically but emotionally. When inflammation comes down and the body starts to regulate, there’s often more calm, more patience, and more trust in their body.
If you could give one piece of advice to current students or recent graduates, what would it be?
If I could give one piece of advice to students or recent graduates, it would be to stay curious and stay humble. This work is always evolving, and no course or certification will ever teach you everything. The real learning happens when you start working with people, paying attention to patterns, and being willing to keep learning as new information comes forward. I also think it’s important to remember that you don’t need to have all the answers. What matters more is being willing to listen, to keep learning, and to support the body in a way that respects how interconnected everything really is.
What’s next for you? Any exciting projects, goals, or new directions for your wellness practice?
Right now, I’m finishing up my advanced certification in childhood nutrition, which I hope to have completed by January 2026. That’s something I’m really excited to add into my practice, especially because early nutrition plays such a big role in long-term health. Beyond that, I’ll keep doing what I’ve been naturally drawn to, learning more, refining my work, and continuing to dive deeper into metabolic health, lymphatic support, and detoxification. These areas come up over and over again, and the more I work with them, the more I see how connected everything really is.
Helen Paquette, LHNP
- Website: www.helenpaquette.com
- Instagram: @helen_paquette_nutrition
- Facebook: Helen Paquette Holistic Nutrition & Wellness
