The term “holistic nutrition” gets used a lot by health professionals, but what is holistic nutrition, exactly? The National Association of Nutrition Professionals (NANP) states that holistic nutrition is based on the idea that health is an expression of the intersections between the physical and chemical, mental and emotional, as well as spiritual and environmental aspects of one’s life. While healthy eating is a part of holistic nutrition, it’s just that. It is a small piece of the puzzle. To truly live holistically, a person embodies a healthy lifestyle eating nutrient-dense foods, tends to root cause issues in their health, lives mindfully with a spiritual connection to the world and cares about their environmental footprint.
The basics of holistic nutrition and food
Because of the impact of diet on the rest of the body systems, energy levels and overall health, it’s important to understand some of the basics of holistic nutrition as it relates to food. While there is no regulation for holistic nutrition, it is hard to argue the benefits of eating natural foods.
Holistic nutrition means eating healthy food for optimal health
While conventional nutritionists prescribe diets with specific foods and their corresponding amounts that treat or prevent disease, holistic nutritionists and holistic nutritional professionals suggest choosing foods that you love to eat and that will enhance your overall life.
Holistic nutrition emphasizes all of the ways that food can optimize health, including its nutrient and vitamin components. While a traditional nutritionist may look at an apple and see it solely for its carbohydrate and sugar makeup, a holistic nutritionist knows that the apple contains a healthy dose of vitamins and minerals that can greatly overall health.
Eating more raw foods, eliminating as many processed foods and ensuring you are getting proper nutrition from a wide variety of food sources are some ways that you can start enjoying healthy habits around food.
Holistic nutrition addresses food allergies and nutritional deficiences
Part of holistic nutrition is addressing food allergies and nutritional deficiencies. Over 32 million Americans have food allergies and the number is rising. Holistic nutrition professionals understand the effects of food allergies on the body. Often, entire food groups must be eliminated, taking with them essential vitamins and minerals and causing further health issues.
With holistic nutrition, your health coach or practitioner will make sure that the foods you are eating are not only safe, but will suggest whole food supplements for what you might be missing from avoiding the allergy-inducing foods.
Holistic nutrition is about the whole person
What’s different about holistic nutrition is that it’s not JUST about the food you eat. A holistic approach to health should include optimizing your overall wellness. This includes your mental and spiritual health and the environment in which you live.
Holistic approach to mental health
There are now numerous studies supporting the benefits of mindfulness on mental health and health overall. A holistic nutrition approach to living should include some aspect of mindfulness and meditation. This could look different for every person, but trying to live more mindfully and practice meditation daily can give you a more positive outlook, improve your immune system and possibly prevent heart disease.
An easy place to start is by taking 5 minutes in the morning to get quiet and breathe before starting your day. Be grateful for the ability to wake up in the morning and for the opportunity to take part in a new day. Take deep breaths in and out of your nostrils. You have this practice available to you at any time during the day and anywhere you may be.
Holistic nutrition takes spiritual health into consideration
While there is no “right” way to live spiritually if you want to holistically improve your life, getting in touch with your spirituality is a great place to start. This doesn’t necessarily mean that you need to find a church or read the Bible. Just start by recognizing that there is something greater than you that influences the world and how we live.
By spending time in nature, practicing your meditation, living with gratitude and being mindful of the environment, you can have a spiritual connection to the world. Some believe that what you put into the world you get back, and for them, that is their spirituality – a connection to manifestation.
Environmental aspects of holistic nutrition
The natural approach to living is one of the best ways to respect and honor our environment. Our world is becoming more and more manufactured by the day. Processed food is packaged in layers and layers of plastics that end up in our waterways and eventually into our bodies. Our lifestyle habits, like driving short distances just to save time and using too many single-use plastic containers are harming the world around us.
To live holistically is to understand the effect that you have on the environment. While it may not be feasible or necessary to do away with your car or never order takeout again, it is possible to be mindful of how you consume, and not just with how you consume food. Can you purchase your clothing second-hand, or from an environmentally-friendly company? Is your diet due for an upgrade where you eliminate as many processed and packaged foods as possible and replace with whole foods? If you are close enough to a local health food store, they often sell grains, nuts, seeds and baking essentials in bulk so that you can bring your own containers to fill. Bringing your own bags to the store is another small step you can take.
There are so many ways to have a positive impact on the environment within holistic nutrition. Choose one to start and see how you start to become mindful of more ways on a daily basis.
Self care and holistic nutrition
While you may consider eating delicious, healthy food; becoming more mindful; connecting with spirituality and respecting the environment self care in and of themselves, it’s important to recognize ways you can directly take care of your self every day to feel good.
Holistic nutrition coaches emphasize the importance of daily self care in an overall nutrition plan. Self care can mean so many different things to different people.
The CC Fitness & Wellness approach suggests some of the following small steps as part of your daily routine:
- Beautify yourself. Take time in the morning to apply a beautiful scent or indulge in a lovely organic face cream.
- Meal planning. Consider what your body may need for the day and make a plan with for how you will nourish yourself.
- Laugh. Take time to get in touch with your playful self. Read a funny book or share a laugh with friends. Laughing is good for the soul and releases positive vibes into the universe around us.
- Play music. A great way to set your mood or change directions when you need to reset from a bad mood is to play uplifting music. Even better, learn to play an instrument yourself or sing (even if you don’t think you can!).
- Move your body. Whether you do a powerful strength training workout, or enjoy a fun dance, moving your body every day is a great way to show yourself some love. The CC Fitness programs are designed specifically for each client depending on their goals and are a great place to start if you are looking to incorporate more intentional movement into your life.
How to start a holistic nutrition plan
By now you probably have some answers to “What is holistic nutrition.” You can see that you don’t need to go purchase anything fancy or adhere to a complex diet or lifestyle plan. Living holistically is actually the most simple way to be. Eat whole foods, understand where you might have deficiencies and supplement with the right nutrition, and live mindfully for yourself and the environment.
The great news is that you don’t have to change your life all at once. You can make small changes to your diet and lifestyle each day or even make one change each week or month. Once you start seeing the benefits of holistic nutrition, you’ll want to explore more ways to feel good.
The CC Fitness and Wellness program is designed with holistic principles in mind and tailored to the individual. Learn more!
Contributor Writer Danielle Stoken
Reviewed by Caroline Collins, MS. Ed