What Is a Functional Nutritionist? How They Can Improve Your Health

With such a wide range of health and nutrition advice available, it can be daunting to figure out which eating methods and health habits may benefit you. 

If you’re looking for more than a “one-size-fits-all” approach, a functional dietitian may be the specialist you need. 

With their thorough assessment process that goes beyond just diet, coupled with their wide range of health knowledge, functional dietitians help their clients using an individualized holistic approach. 

Continue reading to discover more about functional dietitians, specific ways they can improve your health, and how to find a qualified professional.

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What Is a Functional Dietitian?

A functional dietitian is a health professional trained to use nutrition as the primary tool for addressing the root causes of chronic conditions. 

The term “functional” means they take a holistic approach when considering each individual and take into consideration factors such as:

• Genetics.
• Environment.
• Biochemistry.
• Lifestyle.
• Individual health goals.
• Chronic conditions.
• Medications and supplements.
• Food sensitivities.

Using this whole-person approach and various tools, such as detailed dietary analysis, health assessment, and laboratory tests, the functional dietitian can make customized nutritional and lifestyle recommendations.

Unlike a general dietitian, a functional dietitian doesn’t take a one-size-fits-all approach but evaluates each individual's uniqueness. 

They will guide you through nutritional changes to help you meet your health goals and change your care plan based on how your body responds.

9 Ways a Functional Dietitian Can Improve Your Health

Functional dietitians have several methods and tools for helping you improve your health.

1. Personalized Nutrition Plans 

A personalized nutrition plan from a functional dietitian is an eating guide tailored to your individual needs, preferences, and health goals. 

After completing a health and nutrition assessment and reviewing test results, your functional dietitian will provide guidance on what foods to incorporate into your diet and advise on which to limit or avoid.

The recommendations will help address any nutritional deficiencies and guide you to what foods may help address the root cause of any medical conditions you have.

They’ll also provide detailed information on what foods and lifestyle modifications will help you reach your health goals. 

2. Identifying Food Sensitivities

A functional dietitian can help you identify any food sensitivities that may negatively affect your health. 

To assess food sensitivities, your functional dietitian can guide you through an elimination diet to pinpoint which foods trigger symptoms.

An elimination diet removes a particular food group for a specified time and slowly adds those foods to your diet while monitoring your symptoms. 

A food journal is another way of looking for food sensitivities. It involves writing down your food and beverage intake and recording any symptoms or patterns that could indicate a food sensitivity. 

If you’re having a severe response to an unidentified food culprit, a functional dietitian may order a blood test to look for food allergies. 

A food allergy is a much more and sometimes life-threatening reaction to a food.

3. Supporting Hormone Health 

A functional dietitian can play an important role in helping support optimal hormone health. 

Certain environmental pollutants and lifestyle choices can disrupt hormone levels, and your functional dietitian can help by advising what may be contributing to the imbalances and how to support yourself with good nutrition.  

Their guidelines may include consuming specific foods or nutrients that promote hormonal health and instructing in lifestyle modifications such as reducing stress and enhancing sleep to support better hormonal regulation. 

4. Managing Chronic Inflammation 

A functional dietitian can play a role in helping reduce your overall inflammation.

Chronic inflammation is linked to many health conditions, including certain cancers, autoimmune disorders, and digestive conditions. 

They can coach you on reducing inflammation by identifying how your diet and lifestyle habits may be triggering it. 

Steps to reduce inflammation may include changing the foods you eat, reducing stress, getting better quality sleep, and others. 

5. Supporting Gut Health 

A functional dietitian can be a great resource if you’re looking to improve gut health.

They can evaluate which foods may be causing harm to your digestive tract by causing inflammation or harming your microbiome and recommend alternatives that promote optimal gut health. 

The functional dietitian may also recommend specific nutrients, supplements, or probiotics that support digestive health. 

6. Promoting Optimal Nutrient Absorption 

A functional dietitian can help promote optimal nutrient absorption by addressing factors hindering it.

They’ll first evaluate your overall digestive health and identify areas of concern that may impact nutrient absorption.

The functional dietitian will then recommend certain dietary modifications that support gut health and improve nutrient absorption.

They may also give guidance on how to improve digestive enzyme production for the proper breakdown of foods. 

7. Addressing Nutritional Deficiencies 

A functional dietitian can help identify areas of nutritional deficiencies by assessing your dietary intake and identifying symptoms of possible deficiencies. 

After uncovering these nutritional deficiencies, they can create customized nutrition plans tailored to replenish those imbalances. 

Through ongoing monitoring and support, they can help you overcome nutritional deficiencies and improve your overall health.

8. Providing Supplement Recommendations And Guidance 

Functional dietitians can offer expert recommendations and guidance on which supplements may benefit your health. 

With so many supplements on the market, it can be daunting to figure out which ones are best for you. 

After a thorough assessment, your functional dietitian can determine whether you would benefit from taking a supplement to fill in a nutritional gap.

They can also guide you on proper supplement usage, including dosage, timing, and potential interactions. 

9. Creating Sustainable Lifestyle Changes

A functional dietitian can help you make sustainable lifestyle changes by taking a holistic approach that incorporates your unique needs, preferences, and circumstances. 

With their ongoing support and accountability focused on making gradual changes that are realistic and attainable, you can set achievable goals and develop strategies for integrating healthier habits into your daily life. 

In addition, your functional dietitian can empower you with education and resources to help you make informed decisions in the future. 

By giving you these tools and fostering your confidence to make healthier habits, you can make sustainable changes and improvements in your health.

What To Expect During Your First Visit

Your first appointment with a functional dietitian typically includes an in-depth discussion about your health history, family history, diet, lifestyle habits, and any specific health goals or concerns. 

They’ll also ask about your food preferences, meal patterns, and known food sensitivities or allergies. 

Because they take a holistic approach, they will also inquire about lifestyle habits such as sleep patterns, activity levels, and stress.

Thinking through these possible questions several days before your appointment and jotting down some notes for yourself may help you not leave anything out. 

Consider keeping a food journal for several days so you can accurately describe your daily nutrition habits.

Tips For Finding A Qualified Provider

When looking for a qualified functional dietitian, several things to keep in mind include:

• Check credentials: Look for a functional dietitian who is a registered dietitian (RD) or registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) as they hold a credentialed degree with a dietitian license.
• Specialty: If you need help in a specific area, such as gut health, hormone balance, or diabetes, look for someone who specializes in that area. 
• Cost: Consider your budget and look for a functional dietitian that fits your budget or is covered by insurance.
• Read reviews and testimonials: Look online for reviews and testimonials of people who have previously worked with the functional dietitian.

Takeaway

Functional dietitians apply a holistic approach to discover unique dietary needs, underlying deficiencies, and lifestyle habits that are impacting your overall health. 

In doing a thorough assessment the functional dietitian will make a personalized plan on how to start improving your health.

By encouraging gradual changes, giving you attainable goals, and providing ongoing support and accountability, a functional dietitian can help you start taking steps toward better health.

Before selecting a functional dietitian, be sure to check credentials, look for one who’s an expert in your area of need, consider client reviews, and determine your budget.

How a Functional Registered Dietitian Can Help

A dietitian that specializes in functional nutrition, can play an important role in helping optimize your nutrition and work toward your health goals. 

With their extensive education and experience, dietitians can offer personalized advice and customized nutrition plans. 

Find a dietitian who accepts insurance through Nourish.