Holistic Nutrition

Holistic is a term conceived in the early twentieth Century to describe inclusivity or ‘holism.’ It is concerned with the notion that reality is an interconnected whole and focuses on the total entity and interdependence of the diverse parts of a totality.

Holistic Nutrition is simply not just about whole food—it is about what makes us whole. To be clear, it most certainly is not about throwing the superfood of the day at a complex health problem, along with the promise to wash it away; not just because, like other educated healthcare modalities we make no promises, but because such a claim makes no logical sense, to anyone.

Holistic Nutrition is about how we look at the whole person. Looking at health through a holistic lens is not like looking through a telescope, with its singular viewfinder allowing for the magnification of a faraway object, its field of view, narrow, and its depth of field, flat. A better analogy is looking through a set of binoculars. Although still able to see things from a distance, and to focus on a singular chosen object, the two viewfinders allow for a coming together of perspective in three dimensions, bringing into focus surrounding objects that may, from time to time, have had, or continue to have, an effect on the object under examination.

Holistic Nutrition most certainly is not a straightforward case of ‘once ill, and now, well.’ There is a great chasm between the two, a distance that spans over time, short for some, decades for others, that is created in impactful increments of seconds, minutes, days, months, and even years.  This distance, over time, indicates that there is the potential for this process to move as though travelling a continuum and at various points along this spectrum we find ourselves moving either toward or away from wellness. Health and illness do not happen in a straight line, nor is the journey ever the same for two individuals.

Given that Holistic Nutrition looks at the whole person and is NOT solely interested in food, food as the medium through which the body can, and does, if it is in a state of homeostasis, obtain usable isolated nutrients, we are also interested in the How, When, Where, Why, and with Whom, of each individual we see. It is here that we find OUR science. Not simply hard science—but a weaving of hard science and social science. This blending of the two allows us to celebrate research outcomes that promote longevity, connectedness, culture, both ancient and new, the good and the bad of each, and of course we do look at food, whole food. (Canadian School of Natural Nutrition – CSNN)

Holistic Nutritionists educate people about how dietary choices affect not only our bodies but the environment and our global community. Ethical choices in food consumption can better the soil, the earth, and conditions for the humans whose labour feeds us. 

What is the difference between a Dietitian, a Nutritionist, and a Holistic Nutritionist?

Dietitians will typically have a Bachelor’s degree in nutrition and dietetics. They are members of a regulated health profession that can use designations like dietitian, registered dietitian, and registered dietitian nutritionist.

Because this industry sector is unregulated, anyone can call themselves a nutritionist. 

Holistic Nutritionist is not a protected title either, but certain schools have trademarked their own designations and corresponding titles.

While all of these professions work primarily with food and diet, the term holistic implies treating the person as a whole, considering the interconnection between mind, body, and spirit. Holistic nutritionists view clients as unique individuals with complex needs. Educating clients about nutrition is one tool to facilitate overall wellness and disease prevention.

In addition to studying diet therapeutics, Holistic Nutritionists will typically have acquired knowledge in Complementary and Alternative Medicines, will be educated around supplementation, and may have studied traditional approaches to health like Ayurveda.