What is a functional nutritionist? Benefits of functional nutrition

Key Points

• Functional nutrition takes a holistic approach to health and diet.
• Functional nutritionists evaluate a person's diet, lifestyle, environment, genetic factors, and biochemistry for a whole-body approach to healing.
• A functional nutrition plan can be highly personalized to meet your unique needs.

You may have heard the phrase, "food is medicine." This philosophy is central for functional nutritionists. These experts evaluate your whole body to address health conditions at their roots rather than just treating symptoms.

Whether you're looking to lose weight, maintain overall health, or are looking for help with specific concerns or chronic conditions, learn more if a functional nutritionist is right for you.

What is functional nutrition?

According to the Institute of Functional Medicine (IFM), functional nutrition is the use of food and nutrient therapy to address the underlying root causes of chronic illnesses.

It's a philosophy that looks at the body as a whole and does not focus only on the symptoms of nutritional deficiencies or health issues.

For example, excessive weight gain, particularly belly fat, can be a symptom of:

• Nutritional deficiencies as a direct or indirect reason for weight gain. For instance, low levels of vitamin B12 or iodine may slow metabolism, causing low energy and weight gain.
• Inflammation due to food intolerances, sensitivities, or allergies.
• Hormonal imbalances caused by menopause, perimenopause, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), insulin resistance, thyroid issues, or an underlying heart condition.
• Emotional eating due to mental health conditions. This includes reaching for sugary or fatty foods to self-soothe feelings of anxiety, depression, boredom, or other emotional stresses.
• A combination of any of the above factors.

So, achieving sustained weight loss and better health requires a holistic perspective. This belief is the DNA of functional nutrition.

What does a functional nutritionist do?

Functional nutritionists work with a whole-body approach to nutrition and health. They consider your health goals, medical history, diet, lifestyle, personal biochemistry, and even genetic factors.

Depending on your unique needs, licensed functional nutritionists may request lab testing to help them create a highly personalized functional nutrition plan for you.

Note: functional nutritionists do not prescribe medication and cannot diagnose you for medical conditions.

Functional nutritionist credentials

How do you find the right functional nutritionist for you? Since anyone can use the term “nutritionist,” look for specific credentials or certifications to ensure you're working with a knowledgeable functional nutrition expert.

Most certified functional nutritionists often have a Bachelor's degree in nutrition sciences, food sciences, biochemistry, or a related field. These healthcare professionals then receive functional nutrition certifications from institutes like the IFM, Integrative and Functional Nutrition Academy (IFNA), and others. Some pursue graduate degrees in functional nutrition.

Functional dietitian nutritionist credentials

Functional dietitian nutritionists (RDNs) are board-certified professionals who integrate holistic, functional nutrition principles into approved dietary guidelines.

Registered Dietitians hold a master’s degree in Nutrition and Dietetics, complete rigorous training, and have extensive experience in the field. They are also well qualified to offer Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT). MNT is the science of treating health conditions through individualized, nutrition-based programs.

A dietitian specializing in functional nutrition can develop highly personalized plans using proven, time-tested methods to support optimal health.

Note: while all dietitians are nutritionists, not all nutritionists are dietitians.

Pay $0 for a functional nutritionist near you with Fay.

Benefits of a functional nutritionist

A functional nutritionist or functional dietitian can help with:

• Digestive system and gut health issues
• Nutritional deficiencies
• Nutrient absorption issues
• Weight loss
• Food sensitivities or allergies
• Chronic fatigue and low energy
• Inflammation or an immune system imbalance
• Disordered eating
• Sugary food cravings and urges to eat ultraprocessed foods (UPFs)
• Binge eating at night
• A heart-healthy diet
• Autoimmune conditions like Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Crohn's disease, Celiac disease, psoriasis, and more
• Chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes, arthritis, thyroid issues, and hypertension
• Side effects of meds like Zoloft or withdrawal from drugs like Ozempic or Adderall
• Emotional eating to cope with anxiety, stress, depression, and more.

Functional nutritionists vs holistic nutritionists: what's the difference?

A holistic nutritionist offers personalized guidance that considers your goals, diet, lifestyle, and overall wellness, often creating plans focused on whole foods, lean protein, and healthy fats.

While both holistic and functional nutritionists may seem similar, the main difference lies in their focus: functional nutritionists aim to address underlying causes of chronic disease by analyzing biochemistry and metabolism for tailored plans. Holistic nutritionists, on the other hand, emphasize the mind-body connection, supporting overall wellness through balanced nutrition.

Which one is right for you?

What do you choose: a functional nutritionist, holistic nutritionist, or functional dietitian?

One way to decide is if you are more focused on whole-body wellness or would like to address specific health concerns. A functional nutritionist may be a better choice if you are looking to manage hormonal imbalances, lower blood sugar, manage high blood pressure, reduce inflammation due to autoimmune diseases, or lower your risk of cardiovascular disease.

For science-backed functional nutrition support covered by insurance, a registered dietitian specializing in functional approaches may be optimal.

Use Fay to connect with a functional nutritionist dietitian who accepts your insurance.

FAQs about functional nutritionists

1. What foods can I eat on a functional nutrition diet?

At a high level, you can expect a variety of whole foods, complex carbohydrates, lean protein, and healthy fats. When required, your functional nutritionist may recommend specific supplements to address nutritional deficiencies.

However, a functional nutrition approach looks different from person to person. After all, the philosophy is a highly personalized approach to nutrition as medicine.

So, for example, if you suffer from poor gut health or have food allergies, certain foods may be inflammatory. Your functional nutritionist will tailor an anti-inflammatory diet that works to help restore your gut microbiome.

Plus, your nutrition plan can change over time. What you eat in the first few weeks may differ from your diet after a few months, depending on how your entire body responds and heals.

2. What foods to avoid on a functional nutrition diet?

There are no specific restrictions when it comes to functional nutrition. In general, foods to avoid or limit are ultraprocessed foods (UPFs) that are high in sugar, salt, refined carbohydrates, and saturated fats. This includes any foods packaged and sold in a box, including frozen dinners.

Your functional nutritionist may also assess your alcohol intake and suggest reducing it to manage inflammation.

3. Can a functional nutritionist prescribe weight loss medication?

No, a functional nutritionist cannot prescribe weight loss medications like Ozempic and Wegovy or weight loss supplements. However, based on your nutritional needs, they may recommend specific nutritional supplements to help you get your health back on track.

4. Do functional nutritionists recommend supplements?

A functional nutritionist may recommend specific dietary supplements to correct any nutritional imbalances in your body.

5. Functional nutrition vs functional medicine: what's the difference?

The main difference is that functional medicine is administered by doctors (MDs or DOs) who have to first graduate from medical school. They will need an active license and a graduate degree in a health-related field, at minimum, before becoming a Functional Medicine Practitioner.

Functional nutrition is the arm of nutrition therapy that treats the entire body as a whole to address the underlying root causes of chronic disease. These professionals are not doctors.

6. Does a functional nutritionist take my insurance?

For a specific functional nutritionist, you may have to check with your insurance provider. However, most insurance plans cover Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) from a Registered Dietitian (RD or RDN). So, it may be easier to find a functional nutrition-focused RD who accepts your insurance.

Fay helps you find the best functional nutritionist for you, covered by insurance

The views expressed by authors and contributors of such content are not endorsed or approved by Fay and are intended for informational purposes only. The content is reviewed by Fay only to confirm educational value and audience interest. You are encouraged to discuss any questions that you may have about your health with a healthcare provider.