Holistic Nutritionist vs Traditional Nutritionist

Holistic Nutritionist vs Traditional Nutritionist: Key Differences

It’s no mystery that nutrition plays a huge role in our health. “You are what you eat” is a truer saying than we realize.

The food you eat plays a big part in how you feel both physically and emotionally, whether you’re sluggish and crummy or vibrant and bursting with energy. 

Dieticians and nutritionists help educate clients about healthy eating, the science behind food, and how to form healthier habits. But there are a lot of different terms and certifications out there when it comes to food and nutrition. Most people get confused. What’s the difference between a dietician and a nutritionist? And what the heck is a holistic nutritionist? 

What is a Registered Dietician?

A registered dietician (RD) is a traditional and formal position. RDs complete at least four years of formal education, an accredited internship, and dietetic exams. Additionally, they may complete degrees at the masters or doctorate levels.

Registered dieticians work in a variety of locations—most commonly in hospitals, community health centers, or private practices. They distribute information, prescribe treatment, and guide their patients based on standard scientific research approved by the government. 

What is a Nutritionist?

The title of “nutritionist” is not regulated and requires no formal training. There’s no required internship or practicum, and a nutritionist operates via private practice only. 

Basically, anyone could call themselves a “nutritionist” and start accepting patients. Because of this, some people get nervous when they think about nutritionists given their lack of formal education and training. 

That being said, the categories of dietician and nutritionist overlap. Someone may call themselves a nutritionist because patients would rather work on their nutrition than start a new diet. When choosing a food-related practitioner, ask them about their credentials.

What is a Holistic Nutritionist?

A holistic nutritionist pairs the science of nutrition with a whole-body approach to healthcare. They use nutrition to help the body get the nourishment and nutrients it needs to heal itself. 

Holistic nutritionists receive formal education just like registered dieticians, as well as a required number of practicum training. Many holistic nutritionists also are registered dieticians. They work in private practices, such as a health clinic or functional medicine office.

At Five Journeys, Stacie Delucia is our holistic nutritionist. She’s also a registered dietician, so she fully understands the science of food and eating.

When it comes to nutrition, a holistic nutritionist looks beyond the standard recommendations from the government and FDA. For example, for years the FDA recommended a high-carb, low-fat diet. This led to fad diets and diets high in processed carbs. In reality, healthy fats are good for the body and essential for hormone function. Holistic nutritionists knew this well before the general public.

Working with a Holistic Nutritionist

Holistic nutritionists work privately or with a licensed medical practice (like Five Journeys!). They help patients improve their health situation by providing nutrition coaching and education. A holistic nutritionist patient will learn the basics of nutrition—such as macronutrients—and receive guidance on making healthy choices. 

Most holistic nutritionists create a shopping list, meal plan, or recipe index for their clients. At Five Journeys, we offer an entire bank of amazing recipes. They may also provide patients with supplements in addition to nutrition coaching.

Holistic Nutritionist Services

Holistic nutritionists provide a variety of specific services. At Five Journeys, registered dietician and holistic nutritionist Stacie Delucia creates a custom nutrition plan depending on a patient’s situation and goals. 

A meal plan from Stacie may address any of the following:

• Healthy weight management
• Elimination diets
• Gut health
• Chronic conditions
• Food allergies or sensitivities 
• Detox programs
• Specialized diets (i.e. paleo, keto, AIP, sugar-free, gluten-free)

At Five Journeys, we have an entire community surrounding our nutrition coaching. Access to our community looks like this:

• Long visits & follow-ups
• Nutrition assessment
• Pantry clean-out
• Recipes & cooking tutorials
• Grocery store guidance
• Concierge nutrition
• Individual meal plans
• Family meal plans
• Detox guidance

We provide these services to anyone in the Boston area, where we’re physically located. Good news is, if you’re not in the Boston area, you can still get plugged in with this amazing team! We provide our services virtually, no matter where you are in the world! In fact, we have several virtual programs devoted entirely to nutrition coaching.

Holistic Nutritionist in Newton, MA

At Five Journeys, we provide functional medicine services to help people feel better and stay better—instead of addressing surface-level symptoms. Nutrition is a huge part of how we help patients get back to feeling their best. Stacie Delucia, our holistic nutritionist, uses science-backed assessments to create your personalized nutrition plan. 

When you work with Five Journeys, you’ll get all the good stuff. Our nutrition clients receive individual treatment, coaching, and education on nutrition and healthy eating. Rest assured that you won’t be stuck eating “rabbit food”—aka a dressing-less salad! 

Click here to book a free 15-minute discovery call with one of our doctors. During this visit, we’ll assess your situation and create a plan that’s 100% unique to you. We help patients pursue vitality and feel amazing, and food really is the best medicine!