We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Education

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

How do I Become a Holistic Nutritionist?

By Elva K.
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 3,541
Share

Holistic nutritionists know how diet can impact you physically and spiritually. Their work includes knowing about the various nutrients, carbohydrates, fats, proteins, and herbs that are helpful for healthy functioning. Also, holistic nutritionists' work includes an emphasis on avoiding overly processed or unhealthy foods in favor of natural foods that do not cause negative effects in the body. If you seek to become a holistic nutritionist, generally you will need a college degree and a post-graduate degree.

Seeking the bachelor's degree specializing in health or a related subject is useful if you hope to become a holistic nutritionist. The National Association of Nutrition Professionals (NANP), the organization which develops standards pertaining to holistic nutritionist education, has its own listing of recommended schools. It depends which school you attend; however, if the emphasis in on becoming knowledgeable about holistic nutrition, typically academic coursework could include courses such as movement/exercise, healthy diet combinations, metabolism, lifestyle evaluation, or digestive physiology. Also, courses such as the study of herbs, acupuncture, or massage may be included. It is true that acupuncture and massage are not nutritional in nature; however, these topics are sometimes included in holistic nutritionists' training.

You could choose to pursue employment during the final semester of college. Or, you could choose to get additional education to enable your efforts to become a holistic nutritionist. For instance, the Master of Science (MS) in Holistic Nutrition is generally recommended for anyone who seeks to become a holistic nutritionist. Within a master's degree program, you will likely learn about nutritional therapy, holistic human developmental issues, and how to use nutrition to prevent disease.

At this time, if you want to become a holistic nutritionist, there are no widely accepted licensure prerequisites. However, it would most likely help your career if you chose to seek one of the certifications that is available. For example, you could earn certification through the Holistic Nutrition Credentialing Board (HNCB) of the National Association of Nutrition Professionals (NANP). In addition, there is a certification that you could earn via the American Naturopathic Certification Board (ANCB).

Once you complete schooling and certification, it is possible to pursue a job in various settings. For instance, athletes and coaches typically have strong awareness that correct nutrition can make a huge positive difference in sports performance. Thus, it is possible that, as a holistic nutritionist, you could end up working at an sports training facility. Or, if you did not want to work with athletes, you could work at a hospital, nursing home, rehabilitation center, or other medical setting that needs someone with nutritional expertise to plan meals for patients. By contrast, you could choose to be a self-employed consultant who works with individuals who need help in planning their diet.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/how-do-i-become-a-holistic-nutritionist.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.