Instead, one powerful method is adopting a whole-person approach that integrates the full complexity of an individual (mind, body, lifestyle, stress management behaviors, and beyond). Enter: functional nutrition. “With an emphasis on personalized food and lifestyle approaches to wellness and disease management, functional nutrition focuses on the patient (not just on their disease or condition) while taking a holistic approach to optimizing an individual’s health based on their unique needs,” says registered dietitian Jess Cording, M.S., R.D., CDN. Through the lens of this integrative, science-informed approach to well-being, functional nutrition reaffirms the dynamic interconnectedness of the body, by acknowledging how each organ and system operate together to achieve optimal function. It recognizes that food is not only a source of fuel but an exceptional device to address the underlying basis of disease while paving the way toward ultimate, everyday wellness. As for the strategic nutrition itself, this method specifically emphasizes high-quality foods, phytonutrient diversity, plus their role in supporting physiological function and overall health. According to Cording, “compared to medical nutrition therapy, functional nutrition focuses more on the individual and also encompasses lifestyle factors that could affect food choices—and how food choices may be impacting lifestyle,” she says. “It offers a more holistic approach to enhancing a person’s well-being while providing more nuanced care.” Moreover, functional nutrition seeks to establish an empowering, educational, and therapeutic patient-provider relationship to better amplify their well-being, autonomy, and foster sustainable transformations. While there are many similarities between nutrition coaches and health coaches, the former places a greater emphasis on food and nutrition science as the cornerstone tool for health support. Colleges and universities do offer programs in this field. However, a shorter certificate program could also be a good fit, particularly if you want your functional nutrition education to complement work you are already doing, says Cording. “Either way, it can help to talk to people who have gone through the program or programs you’re interested in to help you find the best fit. You also want to make sure to choose a program that offers a science-based curriculum.” While searching for a trustworthy, solid nutrition coaching program, keep these factors in mind:
