Holistic Nutrition is the practice of using food as medicine, focusing on high quality whole, unrefined foods. Locally grown, seasonal and wild foods are always emphasized, as well as home cooked and fermented foods. An individual’s genetics, health history, current symptomatology, emotional state, preferences and goals will all be considered when tailoring a diet specific to their needs. This is known as Bioindividual Holistic Nutrition, or Functional Nutrition.
Conditions that may benefit from using a food as medicine approach include reproductive disorders (PCOS, endometriosis, infertility, hypothalamic amenorrhea, primary/secondary amenorrhea), pregnancy and postpartum, hormonal imbalances (hypo/hyperthyroid, adrenal fatigue), digestive conditions (IBS, Crohn’s, ulcerative colitis), mental health conditions (anxiety, stress, depression), disease prevention and management, and more.
In addition to using therapeutic diets and other whole-food approaches to healing, Holistic Nutrition also aims to connect the mind, body and spirit by addressing how emotions and stress present themselves in specific areas of the body. This can manifest as pain, stiffness, inflammation, and disease.
Although the foundation of nutrition is based on connecting the individual with whole foods to nourish and facilitate healing in the body, different concentrated plant medicines such as herbs, mushrooms and algae may be used, as well as orthomolecular medicine.
Kayla MacDonald, R.H.N.
Barefoot Nutrition 