What is a Nutritional Therapist?
It’s something that I get asked almost weekly. “What is a Nutritional Therapist?”
And it’s such a valid question. Because the world of nutrition science might be able to swan straight into your social media feed at 3am on a Tuesday, but its terminology still needs some work.
If you’re considering getting nutrition support for your health concerns or goals, I hope this post helps you decide whether a Nutritional Therapist is the right choice for you.
What is a Nutritional Therapist?
A Nutritional Therapist (NT) is a practitioner who identifies the root cause of someone’s health concerns, and uses nutrition and lifestyle science therapeutically to address this deeper cause, rather than alleviating symptoms in isolation.
As part of this root-cause approach, NTs are trained to take a whole-body, whole-person perspective.
That might still sound like practitioner jargon, so let’s take a quick look at what each of those terms mean:
Root cause: The deep, underlying driver or drivers of a health condition, syndrome or cluster of seemingly unrelated symptoms. In many cases, once you resolve the root cause, the issue will also resolve. In contrast, symptom treatment or suppression is only a temporary fix.
Whole body: Each organ system in the body (e.g. digestive, hormonal, immune) is interconnected, and an imbalance in one or several systems very often manifests in other areas. A whole-body approach takes these intricate connections into account.
Whole person: Presenting symptoms and medical history are only part of the health picture. A whole-person approach recognises that other factors such as early childhood experiences, stress and trauma, diet and eating behaviours, sleep habits, activity levels, social support systems and cultural influences also play a significant role, particularly in chronic conditions.
As well as working with chronic conditions and disease, NTs also emphasise preventative care and healthy ageing in their practice.
NTs typically work in private practice settings, either independently or as part of a clinic with other practitioners.
Nutritional Therapists don’t diagnose, treat, or prescribe or de-prescribe medication. We often work in collaboration with a GP/NP or healthcare team, particularly with clients managing an existing diagnosis.
How Nutritional Therapists work
To assess root cause, a Nutritional Therapist will take a deep dive into their client’s medical history, key life experiences, each body system, and of course diet and lifestyle.
Informed by what they learn about their client, the NT develops a personalised plan, using a combination of functional nutrition and dietary modification, lifestyle strategies, testing and supplements.
Naturopathic Nutritional Therapists (NTs with naturopathic training) may also take tongue, nail, facial and postural assessments, as well as pulse diagnoses to better understand how their client’s body is functioning.
A Naturopathic NT may also offer complementary therapies as part of their client’s protocol, including herbal medicine, homeopathy, and Ayurvedic and Traditional Chinese Medicine principles.
It’s important to know that nutritional therapy usually isn’t a quick fix. But working with a Nutritional Therapist should feel supportive, not overwhelming: a good NT will meet you where you are, and work with you to support your health goals.
What training does a Nutritional Therapist have?
Licensed Nutritional Therapists go through a minimum of three years of intensive education, including anatomy and physiology training, nutrition and lifestyle science, functional testing and clinical experience. To qualify, NTs must pass exams, research assignments and supervised clinic hours.
Naturopathic NTs also receive training in adjunct natural therapies, such as herbal medicine, tongue and nail diagnosis, and principles of Ayurvedic and Traditional Chinese Medicine.
What to consider when looking for a Nutritional Therapist
The tenets of nutritional therapy are the same for all Nutritional Therapists, but each NT works slightly differently, aligned with their own preferences, values, client types and any additional training they may have.
For example, consider whether you are looking for an NT who:
Prioritises functional foods, or nutritional supplementation
Recommends rigorous functional testing up front, or targeted testing on an as-needed basis
Provides extensive protocols for their client to implement independently, or supports the phased implementation of a comprehensive protocol with coaching
Is trained in Naturopathic adjuncts, such as herbal medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine principles
Has additional specialised training, such as coaching and behaviour change, trauma-informed practices, hypnotherapy, somatic work and personal training
Why finding a ‘Registered Nutritional Therapist’ matters
The term ‘Nutritional Therapist’ isn’t a legally protected title, which means that anyone can call themselves an NT regardless of their training.
To make sure you get quality, regulated care, look for a ‘Registered Nutritional Therapist.’ This designates an NT who is trained and licensed, and registered with a regulatory body. Regulatory bodies maintain high practice standards, and require their practitioners to complete a minimum of professional development hours each year in the latest scientific knowledge, research and industry practices.
In the UK, for example, regulatory bodies associated with Nutritional Therapists include:
Association of Naturopathic Practitioners (ANP)
British Association for Nutrition and Lifestyle Medicine (BANT)
General Naturopathic Health Council (GNHC)
Naturopathic Nutrition Association (NNA)
How does a Nutritional Therapist compare to other nutrition professionals?
With so many different types of nutrition practitioners, it can be hard to know which one might be the right fit for you.
Additionally, regulations governing nutrition-related titles vary by country and, in the US, they can also vary significantly by state. If you’re unsure, please check the guidance specific to your location.
Here’s a breakdown of the core differences:
Nutritionist
Provides advice on food and diet, often in the food science industry or public health policy
Not a legally protected title, training levels vary widely, and no specific qualifications or regulatory bodies are involved – however, a ‘Registered Nutritionist’ holds a science degree and is regulated
Does not diagnose nor prescribe, and functional testing usually isn't within scope
Nutrition Coach / Health Coach
Provides accountability and supports habit change for food and lifestyle goals
Training is significantly shorter and less clinical than an NT
Not legally regulated titles, and registration with a regulatory body is optional
Does not diagnose nor prescribe, and functional testing usually isn't within scope
Registered Dietitian
Uses national dietary guidelines and nutrition science to create eating plans for various medical conditions, and helps facilitate changes in eating habits
Often works within medical or clinical settings (e.g. in the NHS, in the UK), treating diagnosed conditions
Dietitians hold a science degree, are legally-regulated and registered protected
Functional Medicine Practitioner
Informed by a similar whole-body, root-cause approach to Nutritional Therapists, and often work in private clinic settings
Not a legally regulated title, and functional medicine is more of a philosophy than a designation: some practitioners are medically-trained doctors, others may be nutritional therapists or nutritionists
Functional testing is typically core to the practitioner’s approach
May involve higher costs, depending on medical training and licensing
Who Nutritional Therapy is a good fit for
There is no single type of person, condition or health goal best suited for Nutritional Therapy.
You may have a chronic condition, or something just doesn’t feel quite right, or maybe you want to learn how to use food to improve your health more generally.
Most people who seek out a Nutritional Therapist fall into one of these categories:
Want nutrition and lifestyle support to help with a chronic condition, sometimes alongside prescription medication
Had several GP/NP visits for vague symptoms, and still looking for answers
Conventional lab tests are “normal” but something still feels off
Tried looking for advice online but it’s too confusing or nothing has worked
Seeking support during periods of hormonal change or fertility needs, sometimes alongside their primary care physician
Want to enhance sports performance, or recover from injury / surgery
Want to reduce the risk of developing hereditary conditions that may run in their family
Looking for natural support for healthy ageing and longevity
Many people wait years before reaching out for support, and just grit their teeth through whatever they’re experiencing. Please don’t put yourself through that. If something feels off, uncomfortable or unresolved, that’s all the reason you need to look for help.
A gentle reminder: Nutritional Therapists don’t diagnose, treat, or prescribe or de-prescribe medication.
If you’d like to learn how nutritional therapy can help address your own health concerns and goals, let’s talk.