Scope of Practice of a Registered Holistic Nutrition Coach (RHNC) :
Awareness of the meaning of holistic nutrition, the connected relationship between body, mind, and spirit, the bio-individuality of each client, including the importance of addressing these interactive factors which unique to each individual.
- To guide the client towards better health, while not claiming to ‘cure’ illness and do not claim to treat or diagnose disease.
- To promote whole, locally grown and organic foods, and the importance of living in a non-toxic environment.
- Understanding that prevention and self-responsibility are fundamental to any successful health care program.
- Recognition that supplementation is not a substitute for wholesome, nutritious foods but that it may be helpful in recommended form, dose and frequency.
- Respect for clients, their wellness goals, and for their personal tastes, morals, social, and life values. To work cooperatively with other health care practitioners; both holistic and conventional and never contradict recommendations provided by a physician.
- To advise clients to speak with their primary physician (Naturopathic or con-ventional) prior to making any major changes to their diet and/or medications. You may not advise clients to adjust or stop medications or discontinue seeing a medical professional.
The main services provided by a Holistic Nutrition Coach include, but are not limited to the following: evaluate a client’s food selection, preparation and intake
- document client’s goals, needs, and plans
- identify client’s nutritional imbalances and lifestyle habits
- evaluate client’s lifestyle and overall feeling of well-being
- work with other health care professionals, if applicable, in order to determine all nutritional and lifestyle-changing needs of the client
- referring client to other health care professionals when appropriate
- support the progress of client’s health goals by creating individualized wellness programs, which include the use of whole nutrient-dense foods, menu plans, natural source supplements, and lifestyle recommendations/modifications such as meditation, yoga, positive affirmations, stress re-duction, etc include in recommendations the use of non-toxic environmentally friendly household/personal products to reduce toxic load
- explaining food labels, shopping recommendations food preparation techniques
- assess nutritional imbalances through bodily symptoms to support their clients’ unique nutritional requirements
- guide client in the implementation of a long-term personal health plan
- provide education when necessary, and offer ongoing assessments monitor client’s personal health plan in order to reinforce participation in the achievement of the health goals
- act as a community educator to the public and to other health care professionals by developing curriculum, preparing manuals, writing articles, publishing books, and teaching promote health discussions in schools, workplaces, and community.