At Heath Globe Wellness Clinic, our registered dietitians and nutritionists are dedicated to providing patients with high-quality, evidence-based nutrition advice. We understand that there are many different ways to eat well and feel your best, and we will help you find the approach that best suits your needs.
Our nutrition team will work with you to explore and compare different eating patterns, habits, and food choices that can impact your health and wellness. Whether your goal is to lose weight, gain weight, try a new diet, improve bone health, bowel health, heart health, reduce cholesterol, manage weight, prevent cancer, address eating disorders, enhance sports performance, or achieve general nutrition goals, we will translate the latest evidence-based research into practical, real-life practices to help you establish healthy and satisfying eating habits that promote long-term well-being.
At Health Globe Wellness Clinic, our Dietitians and Holistic Nutritionists work closely with our Naturopathic Doctors to determine and co-manage nutritional treatments, including recommending a particular therapeutic diet to best address the patient’s concerns, developing a meal plan based on this diet, and ensuring quality supplementation as needed for optimizing health outcomes. Other healthcare providers may also be consulted with, including Reflexology, and Massage Therapy, for co-managing the patient using a collaborative and whole systems approach.
In summary, a registered dietitian is a regulated nutrition professional who has met specific educational and clinical requirements, whereas the term “nutritionist” is not regulated and can encompass a wide range of qualifications and expertise.
A holistic nutritionist is a nutrition professional who takes a holistic approach to nutrition and health, considering the whole person and their individual needs, rather than focusing solely on isolated nutritional factors. Holistic nutritionists often consider various aspects of a person’s lifestyle, including their diet, physical activity, stress levels, sleep patterns, and emotional well-being, to develop a comprehensive and personalized approach to nutrition.
Holistic nutritionists may use a variety of approaches, including evidence-based nutrition principles, natural and whole foods, supplements, herbs, and lifestyle modifications to support their clients’ health and wellness goals. They may also take into account the client’s unique health conditions, food sensitivities or allergies, cultural and personal preferences, and environmental factors when creating nutrition plans.
The goal of a holistic nutritionist is to support the body’s natural ability to heal and optimize health through balanced and nourishing diets, while also considering the broader context of the individual’s well-being.
It’s important to note that the term “holistic nutritionist” is not a regulated term the qualifications and credentials of practitioners using this title may vary.
When preparing for your appointment, it’s helpful to gather and bring relevant information that can assist the practitioner in understanding your nutritional needs and goals. Here are some items you may want to bring or prepare for your appointment:
1- Medical History: Bring any relevant medical records or information about existing health conditions, allergies, or dietary restrictions that may impact your nutrition needs. This may include recent blood test results, medical reports, or other relevant medical information.
2- Food Diary: Keep a food diary for a few days prior to your appointment, documenting what you eat and drink, including portion sizes, meal timing, and any snacks or beverages. This can provide the practitioner with valuable information about your current eating habits and help in developing a personalized meal plan tailored to your needs.
3- Health Goals: Think about your health goals and what you hope to achieve through nutrition counseling. Be prepared to discuss your goals and expectations with the practitioner, including any specific concerns or challenges you may have related to your nutrition.
4- Current Supplements or Medications: If you are taking any dietary supplements or medications, bring a list or the actual products with you to your appointment. This can help the practitioner understand if there are any potential interactions or considerations to take into account when developing your personalized meal plan.
5- Questions or Concerns: Prepare a list of questions or concerns you may have about your nutrition or dietary habits. This can include questions about specific foods, portion sizes, meal planning, grocery shopping, or any other nutrition-related topics that you would like to discuss with the practitioner.
6- Personal Preferences: Consider your personal food preferences, cooking skills, and lifestyle when discussing your nutrition needs with the practitioner. Be prepared to share your likes, dislikes, and any cultural or religious considerations that may impact your dietary choices.
7- Open Mind: Come to your appointment with an open mind and be willing to discuss your current eating habits, challenges, and goals openly and honestly with the practitioner. This can help the practitioner better understand your needs and develop a personalized meal plan that aligns with your preferences and lifestyle.
In many cases, health insurance plans may cover the cost of seeing a registered dietitian, but coverage can vary depending on the specific insurance plan. Some health insurance plans may cover nutrition counseling or medical nutrition therapy (MNT) services provided by a registered dietitian for certain medical conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, obesity, or kidney disease, when it is considered medically necessary.
Holistic Nutrition is generally not covered under extended Health benefits in Ontario.
Nutrition therapy, also known as medical nutrition therapy (MNT), can be beneficial for a wide range of conditions, including but not limited to:
– Diabetes: Nutrition therapy plays a key role in managing diabetes by helping to regulate blood sugar levels through careful control of carbohydrate intake, portion sizes, and meal timing.
– Cardiovascular diseases: Nutrition therapy can be used to lower the risk factors associated with cardiovascular diseases, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, and obesity. A heart-healthy diet, which is low in saturated and trans fats, cholesterol, and sodium, can be recommended.
– Obesity: Nutrition therapy can help individuals achieve and maintain a healthy weight by providing personalized meal plans, portion control strategies, and behavioral counseling to promote long-term weight management.
– Gastrointestinal disorders: Nutrition therapy can be effective in managing conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Crohn’s disease, celiac disease, and other digestive disorders. Specialized diets, elimination diets, and other dietary modifications can be used to alleviate symptoms and improve gut health.
– Renal diseases: Nutrition therapy is important in managing kidney diseases, such as chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD). A kidney-friendly diet that is low in protein, phosphorus, and sodium may be prescribed to manage kidney function and prevent complications.
– Cancer: Nutrition therapy can play a supportive role in cancer treatment by addressing malnutrition, managing treatment-related side effects such as nausea and vomiting, and supporting overall immune function and recovery.
– Food allergies and intolerances: Nutrition therapy can help individuals manage food allergies and intolerances by providing guidance on allergen avoidance, alternative food choices, and nutrient supplementation to ensure adequate nutrition while avoiding triggering foods.
– Eating disorders: Nutrition therapy is a crucial component of the comprehensive treatment of eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder. It involves restoring normal eating patterns, addressing nutritional deficiencies, and addressing psychological and emotional aspects of disordered eating.
– Pregnancy and lactation: Nutrition therapy is important during pregnancy and lactation to support optimal maternal and fetal health. It includes ensuring adequate intake of essential nutrients such as folic acid, iron, calcium, and omega-3 fatty acids to support fetal growth and development, and providing guidance on healthy weight gain during pregnancy.
– Chronic inflammatory conditions: Nutrition therapy can be beneficial in managing chronic inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and others. Anti-inflammatory diets, elimination diets, and other dietary approaches can be used to reduce inflammation and manage symptoms.
It’s important to note that nutrition therapy should be tailored to an individual’s specific needs and medical condition
