How to Become a Functional Nutritionist
If you’re curious how food affects health but don’t believe in a “one size fits all” approach to nutrition, you could consider becoming a functional nutritionist.
Today millions of people are suffering from chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and heart disease and are reporting higher levels of stress and anxiety. Life-style factors like poor nutrition, lack of sleep, and inactivity can exacerbate these issues. Because health is complex and multifaceted, functional nutrition is becoming increasingly important in managing these conditions.
Functional nutritionists are interested in the intricate connections between diet, lifestyle, and well-being. These healthcare professionals view food as medicine and understand that a multidisciplinary approach to nutrition helps people achieve long-lasting vitality.
What Is The Difference Between a Nutritionist and a Functional Nutritionist?
A conventional nutritionist tends to work within a traditional, standardized framework. A functional nutritionist, on the other hand, takes a more progressive and holistic approach.
Functional nutritionists will gather information about their client’s lifestyle, biochemistry, and environment in addition to their diet. This whole person approach allows the functional nutritionist to provide individuals with a treatment plan crafted specifically to their body and health needs. Because every body is different, a curated intervention can help a person quickly reach and maintain their health goals.
What Are the Education Requirements to Become a Functional Nutritionist?
Many people interested in functional nutrition enter other healthcare professions first.
Functional nutrition programs require a bachelor’s degree to apply, usually in a related field like nutrition or health sciences. You will receive valuable hands-on experience in your undergraduate studies, usually through internships and higher level courses.
Once you obtain a bachelor’s degree, you will either work towards certification or licensure in your area of study, a graduate degree, or both.
If you decide to go to graduate school, you can immediately dive into a functional nutrition program or you can study a different subject before turning to functional nutrition.
(Note that many nutrition related certifications will soon require you to have a graduate degree to sit for exams.)
Choosing a Functional Nutrition Program
Some health professionals study functional nutrition to enhance their practice while others turn it into a career. To help you choose a program, it is best to understand your professional goals.
Academic institutions like Northwestern Health Sciences University (NWHSU) offer graduate degrees with business courses, while professional organizations like IFM provide continuing education classes and certificate programs. Organizations like IFM can help you deepen your current knowledge, while academic programs can help you turn functional nutrition into a full time career.
If you plan to obtain a graduate degree in functional nutrition, you may not need any certifications or even a bachelor’s in a related field. For example, NWHSU considers all undergraduate backgrounds for its Masters of Health Sciences in Functional and Integrative Nutrition. Each program is different, so it is important to check eligibility requirements.
Other factors, like where you plan to practice and the credentials you may already have, will also inform your decision.
Professionals with the following backgrounds often qualify for functional nutrition programs:
- Registered Dietitians
- Nutritionists
- Chiropractors
- Health Coaches
- Physicians
- Physician Assistants
- Naturopaths
- Nurses
How Long Does It Take to Become a Functional Nutritionist?
Depending on your level of education and training, you can complete most programs within a couple months to a year. Some, like NWHSU’s online program, are flexible and can be done part time.
What Happens After I Complete My Functional Nutrition Program?
Many programs will prepare you for nutrition or health-coaching certification exams. Some will only provide you with a certificate of completion.
It is important to know what your career goals are so you can choose the program that best fits you. Receiving a certificate is not the same as certification. Certification adds credibility to your title and ensures clients you are working under the established standards of the profession.
NWHSU’s program is approved by the National Board of Health and Wellness Coaches (NBHWC). It includes an embedded option for students to become a certified health coach. It also satisfies the coursework for the popular Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS) certification and the Certified Clinical Nutritionist (CCN) credential.
Note that some states require national certification and/or state licensure to practice.
What Jobs Can I Get After I Become a Functional Nutritionist?
Depending upon your credentials and each state’s specific practice requirements, you could:
- Start a private practice
- Enter into clinical practice in hospitals and other clinical settings
- Work at spas, retreats, or fitness centers
- Build a career in the natural products, dietary supplement, or culinary industry
- Move into higher education teaching positions
- Focus on public health and policy doing research or community education
Becoming a functional nutritionist is a rewarding journey that empowers you to make a profound impact on individuals’ lives. By approaching health with a holistic perspective and a deep understanding of the body’s intricate mechanisms, you can guide clients towards a better quality of life.
Your Next Step: Reach Out for More Information
Whether you want to build a career specifically in functional nutrition or enhance your current healthcare practice with nutritional knowledge, NWHSU’s Functional and Integrative Nutrition program will prepare you for success.
Start your exploration of the functional nutrition program today! Reach out to NWHSU for personalized support on your path.