A Study Break: You're Studying What?

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So as you know, I am studying...
                                      studying....
                                             Studying to be a Registered Holistic Nutritionist.

I love studying in this little corner of my office.  It gets really warm sunlight even in the winter!

When I tell someone the title of my future job, I am often asked-
a.) What is that?
b.) Is that like a Dietician?
c.) So, what exactly do you study?


Today I would like to take a break from STUDYING to answer these questions.

What is a holistic nutritionist?

A holistic nutritionist works with clients to identify and correct the nutritional causes of disease and design personalized diet and lifestyle programs that optimize health. A Holistic Nutritionist looks at all facets of a person's life to help them find balance again. We do not diagnose a health problem, then give supplements to "fix it" or to lesson the "symptoms" of it- this is the Allopathic medicine (the current Western medical system) way of thinking.

We help the client identify issues and imbalances and we use a holistic approach to help the body heal. There is a BIG emphasis on filling the diet with whole/fresh foods, getting adequate sleep, finding ways to manage stress,  sorting through emotional issues, finding the life-work-family-spiritual-intellectual balance, etc. All gentle ways of helping the body heal itself are implemented in Holistic Nutrition.

What is the difference between a Holistic Nutritionist and a Dietician?

    • A client comes in a Dietician's office with diabetes- A dietician would look at the doctor's report and would help the person design meal plans based on what the doctor has diagnosed. A Dietician might recommend watching calories and fat, cooking with margarine, eating "sugar free" versions of their favorite foods, using Splenda, walking on a treadmill 3 times a week, etc. 
           *A Dietitian helps a person "manage" or "live with" the disease the doctor has
             diagnosed. They can be successful at helping a person keep their weight down
             and keep their blood sugar at the target number. But the emphasis is not on correcting underlying
             issues.

      • A client comes in a Holistic Nutritionist's office with diabetes- A Holistic Nutritionist (with help of the client) would identify imbalances in the body systems. A HN would ask about lifestyle and maybe past emotional issues (if qualified). A HN may do non-evasive testing for heavy metal poisoning or food allergies. A HN always always recommends fresh, organic, WHOLE foods as the best way to regain and maintain health- never would they recommend chemical foods like "sugar free jello" as a healthful way to eat. A HN works with the client to design meal plans, yes, but also educates them on how to shop, prepare meals and reteaches them what "healthy" food is. A HN will offer many ideas to the client such as exercise, meditation, drinking enough water, finding time in your life to "play", ways to reduce stress- anything that would help the person find their balance again. In some cases, a HN will recommend whole food supplements for use on a short term period to give the body a head start in recovering. A Holistic Nutritionist helps a person's body re-gain balance and in many cases, the body will re-gain it's natural ability to heal itself from the disease! 
             *We don't want to "live" with our disease! We want to be free from disease! Diet and lifestyle
               changes CAN accomplish this. This is the main difference in the 2 fields.

      What am I studying?

      I've studied the standard Chemistry, Cellular Biology, Basic Nutrition, Preventative Nutrition, Anatomy, Physiology, Symptomology, the Mind-Body-Spirit Connection (and how it affects health), etc.
      I have more yet to go on Allergies, Special diets and more advanced nutritional studies. But now, specifically, I am studying Pathophysiology. 

      Pathophysiology is the study of disease- it's causes, processes, development and consequences. It's a very interesting subject. Just look at all the nerdy things I learn.. I LOVE THIS BOOK!


       



      Yes, the pics seem a little cartoony, but it makes otherwise difficult subject material, a little more memorable and fun. Aside from the comically sketched internal organs and diseases, I am also learning more in-depth about how all these diseases REALLY DO stem from what we eat (or don't eat) and how we live our lives. It seems like the most OBVIOUS theory ever, yet for many people this is a totally new concept.

      The Empowered Way has really come about as part of what I am learning in my studies and the things that I have experienced and found a certain sense of enlightenment in in my own life. There is so much EMPOWERMENT in knowing that we determine our health!

      The problem here is that we as people have become SO DEPENDENT on the "magic pill" from the doctor, that we forget that our health and well-being is truly up to us! We do not like to admit that we are causing our sickness. Isn't it much easier to be a victim?

      I recently found out that someone in my family has been diagnosed with high blood sugar... not diabetes... yet. But she is in her early 20's and has just kind of settled for this as the course for the rest of her life.  She is from my hometown which is one of the most unhealthy cities in the US, so she is surrounded by other un-empowered, sick people. She eats fast-food/cheap food, has a very spotty past with drugs and alcohol, and is pretty inactive. Type 2 Diabetes is 100% preventable and reversible!!! But most people just don't want to hear that. They would rather pretend like they can "catch" diseases.

      There is an old saying that goes like this:
      "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent."

      This just so happens to be true in the body as well. I will change up the quote a bit.
      "Nothing can make you sick without your consent".
            "Consent" here meaning a refusal to give your body what it needs to heal. That could be exercise,
              nutritious LIVING foods, water, a stress-free mentality, etc.

      So this is my mission. I want people to see that we control our health and well-being. There is so much freedom in it. But freedom requires responsibility. Not everyone is ready for that responsibility.  I have to understand this because I was not raised in an Empowered environment myself. Everyone finds the path to health when they need to. Some never find it- and that is why Doctors are so wealthy.

      Wow- I needed to get all that off my chest. Thank you for listening!

      Now, back to studying about Endocarditis and eating a fabulous lunch left over from the wonderful Valentine's Day dinner cooked by my wonderful hubby!

      Vegan Alfredo with Spinach noodles. He searched the recipe and made everything himself. :)

      I could get used to this! 


      Have a great weekend!~

      Meg

      PS: Just for fun, see if you can solve this puzzle from the last chapter in my book.

      Scroll down for the answer



































      ANSWER:
      "A diet high in fiber helps increase stool bulk"

      That means more pooping! Pooping is one of the best things you can do for your health. :)
      Now, go out and get some bananas and leafy greens! You'll be glad you did! Your colon will be smiling all the way to the bathroom. :)






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