Choosing the Right Wellness Practitioner: Holistic Nutritionist vs. Dietitians & Coaches

Navigating the diverse field of health and wellness practitioners can be daunting, from Naturopaths and Functional Medicine Doctors to Registered Dietitians, Health Coaches, and Nutritionists. Each focuses on improving health and wellbeing, but how do you decide who to turn to when facing health challenges or pursuing personal goals? And why might a Holistic Nutritionist be the right choice?

The first step is to clarify your needs. If you require medical insights or a diagnosis, starting with a doctor–whether holistic-minded like a Naturopath or more conventional in a hospital setting–is recommended.

However, if you've already explored various avenues without desired outcomes, or simply seek guidance on making healthier choices and symptom management, Registered Dietitians (RDs), Nutritionists, or Health Coaches can offer invaluable support and guidance. While all share a common goal of enhancing health through nutrition and wellness practices, their approaches vary:

  • RDs, the most clinically-oriented, specialize in creating customized meal plans for specific health conditions.

  • Nutritionists provide education and guidance on nutrition and healthy eating habits, and help with meal building rather than developing detailed meal plans.

  • Health Coaches excel in goal setting and behavior modification to foster sustainable lifestyle changes.

Where does a Holistic Nutritionist fit into this spectrum? A Holistic Nutritionist does everything that a Nutritionist AND Health Coach does, but addresses both diet AND lifestyle–think Nutritionist meets Life Coach. While food guidance is the epicenter of a Holistic Nutritionist’s work, there are many things that contribute to a person’s overall health and wellbeing (i.e. sleep quality, stress levels, relationships, career fulfillment) so any or all of these topics are fair game in your work with a Holistic Nutritionist.

If you are sick of dieting, battling daily symptoms (such as bloating, headaches, pain, fatigue, cravings or mood swings), feeling stuck, and/or have personal health goals that you want to not only attain, but (more importantly) SUSTAIN, hiring a Holistic Nutritionist is one of the best moves you can make for yourself. At Taylored Health, our focus lies in supporting women dealing with Burnout, Adrenal Fatigue, and Hypothyroidism, though we assist clients with diverse health challenges. Our approach emphasizes identifying root causes and implementing natural, sustainable solutions that are ‘taylored’ to individual needs, preferences, schedules and circumstances.

We don't prescribe meal plans or generic diets; instead, we educate clients about their bodies and co-create actionable steps aligned with their goals. If this resonates with you, take the first step and schedule a complimentary 15-minute call with Holistic Nutritionist Taylor Wessel.

Embark on the path to feeling your best–you may be surprised by the profound impact of small, intentional changes!