A nutritional therapist meets with clients to make health-related diet and exercise recommendations that are tailored to each patient’s unique situation. This is a type of complementary and alternative medicine that focuses on improving one’s health through diet. The educational requirements for nutritional therapists vary depending on where they practice and what services they want to provide. Some people enroll in formal certification programs and become registered dieticians, while others provide nutritional therapy as a supplement to their primary clinical practice, such as chiropractic medicine.
Depending on where he trains, a nutritional therapist’s philosophy may differ. In general, nutritional therapists believe that everyone has different dietary needs, so rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach, it is necessary to tailor a diet to the individual. These doctors also believe that many health problems can be traced back to dietary issues, and that diet can be used as both a preventative medicine and a treatment to help people deal with ongoing health issues.
When a client meets with a nutritional therapist, the two will talk about why the client is seeking assistance, and the therapist will ask a series of questions to learn about the client’s medical history, documented issues, and current dietary habits. Adjustments can be suggested the therapist, which usually revolve around incorporating more whole foods like fresh fruit, whole grains, and leafy green vegetables. To meet nutritional needs, the client may need to eat a more varied diet.
The nutritional therapist can discuss how the patient is feeling and make changes to the recommendations during follow-up appointments. These include introducing new foods, eliminating foods that aren’t working, and collaborating with the patient to develop an exercise plan. The nutritional therapist assists the client in making long-term lifestyle changes in order to improve overall health and well-being. To ensure that the client’s needs are met, the therapist may collaborate with other care providers.
Nutritional therapists can work in clinics or on their own, and the pay ranges from low to high. People with more credentials and experience tend to earn more money. Freelancers must factor in costs of doing business, such as maintaining a workspace, purchasing adequate insurance, and so on. Clinic employees may be required to follow specific protocols, but their advertising, insurance, and other costs are covered the practice, allowing them to focus on working with clients rather than running their own businesses.