The Natural Nutrition Essentials Certificate Program is comprised of the first 3 courses of the Natural Nutrition Coach Certificate Program. Students are introduced to the principles of Natural Nutrition, Digestion, and Menu planning, and gain insight into the various roles performed by a Natural Nutrition Coach. These 3 foundational courses will set you on a path of eating healthier, while you discover how food and specific nutrients and food-based ingredients directly influence your health. As well, we introduce the Holistic Nutrition Hub and assessment tools you can use right away. Students receive free access to the nutrition assessment forms and consulting tools available on the Holistic Nutrition Hub, saving you time and helping easily manage all aspects of working with clients.

This program teaches you:

• The principles and philosophy of natural nutrition, and the health risks associated with a modern, processed food diet.
• The basic science of the macronutrients, how and why they are important, and optimal food choices of each.
• How blood glucose problems arise and how to manage blood glucose with specific dietary and lifestyle interventions.
• The process of digestion from start to finish!
• Digestive issues can occur in the stomach and intestines, from heartburn to leaky gut syndrome.
• How to recognize imbalances in the digestive system and protocols that may help achieve balance.
• How the gut influences digestion, immunity, mood, and mental health.
• The psycho-spiritual meaning of digestive problems.
• How to read and interpret food labels and understand portion sizes.
• The benefits of eating seasonal, organic, non-GMO food.
• Food additives and their effect on health.
• The functions, deficiency symptoms, guidelines, and clinical applications for each vitamin, mineral, and trace mineral, as well as guidelines for purchasing high-quality dietary supplements.
• How to organize a natural foods kitchen and healthy cooking practices.
• Menu planning for yourself and for people with unique nutritional needs and specialty diets.
• How to start the consulting & coaching process with the Holistic Nutrition Hub Consulting platform
• Many tools and resources to help you along the way… and so much more!

Foundations in Natural Nutrition

NNC Course Code: Nutrition 1.1

Foundations in Natural Nutrition provides a framework for the study of nutrition and is an introduction to the principles of a natural food diet as they relate to health and well-being. The macronutrients (carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids) and micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) are explored in detail: their functions, metabolism, absorption, deficiency symptoms, and association with health and disease. Other naturally occurring compounds in plants and animals that may have beneficial effects on human health are examined, including phytochemicals, zoochemicals, and adaptogens, as well as anti-nutrients (including phytates, oxalates, and tannins), and the importance of water. The course also introduces various assessment tools you can use to streamline your nutrition consulting practice.

The Foundations in Natural Nutrition course includes videos, assignments, quizzes and 5 downloadable texts. For a sample flipbook preview, click on the images below.

Some of the topics covered include:

• The process of digestion throughout the entire digestive system
• A detailed explanation of the types of digestive enzymes and how they can be used
• Diseases of the small and large intestines
• Improving regularity and what normal bowel movements look like
• Relief for constipation and diarrhea
• Colon and liver cleansing and detoxification techniques
• The many roles of the microbiome and how your gut impacts physical and mental health
• Detailed explanations of probiotics and prebiotics and how they can influence health
• DIY instructions for fermenting vegetables at home
• Explicit protocols for major digestive conditions
• The psycho-spiritual meaning of digestive problems
• And much more…

Digestion is the cornerstone of health. Imbalances within the digestive system may result in poor nutrient absorption, and long-term malabsorption can initiate chronic health problems. This course explains the components and functions of the digestive system and its accessory organs and why problems can so easily arise within this system, leading to constipation, heartburn, indigestion, or chronic illnesses of the digestive tract. Candida and other imbalances within the gut microbiome can greatly impact physical and mental health. You will also learn how these concerns may be influenced by dietary, behavioral, and supplemental interventions.

Students will develop a foundational understanding of the process of digestion, the symptoms of common digestive diseases, and dietary interventions and protocols that may help alleviate symptoms. The many roles and functions of the microbiome are explained in detail to encourage an appreciation for its far-reaching influence on the human body.

COURSE NAME: Digestive Health and the Microbiome
COURSE CODE: Nutrition 1.3
COURSE HOURS: 10
COURSE CREDIT: 1
PREREQUISITE: Foundations in Natural Nutrition (Nutrition1.1) or an equivalent course is recommended

TEXT/OTHER LEARNING RESOURCES:

PDF Textbook
Video(s)
Access to the Holistic Nutrition Hub
All learning materials are provided

ACTIVITIES/ASSIGNMENTS:

• Mindful Eating Exercise
• Case study practices

EVALUATION/GRADING:

Pass Mark: 80%

ACTIVITIES: 50%
FINAL QUIZ 50%

= TOTAL 100%

The Foundations in Natural Nutrition includes 5 texts which cover the following topics:

• An introduction to the principles and philosophy of natural nutrition
• The energy-yielding nutrients and their structure, synthesis, and classifications – carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids
• Calculating macronutrients
• Balancing blood glucose levels
• Added vs. natural sugars
• Gluten and when a gluten-free diet is relevant
• The essential fatty acids, trans fats, and seed oils
• Guidelines for cooking with fats and oils
• Detailed descriptions of each vitamin and mineral, their functions, the foods they are found in, and how they can benefit health
• Other beneficial nutrients and non-nutrients
• Why hydration is so important
• And much more…

The course also provides protocols for using vitamins and minerals that may help correct health imbalances and a detailed guide to choosing high-quality dietary supplements. This invaluable information provides you with clear guidelines for when it’s appropriate to recommend specific nutrients, as well as dosage ranges and possible contraindications.

As well, we introduce the Holistic Nutrition Hub and assessment tools you can use right away. Students receive free access to the nutrition assessment forms and consulting tools available on the Holistic Nutrition Hub, saving you time and helping easily manage all aspects of working with clients.

Throughout the course are activities, exercises, and quizzes to ensure you thoroughly understand the course content.

The macronutrients (carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids) and micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) are explored in detail: their functions, metabolism, absorption, deficiency symptoms, and association with health and disease. Other naturally occurring compounds in plants and animals that may have beneficial effects on human health are examined, including phytochemicals, zoochemicals, and adaptogens, as well as anti-nutrients (including phytates, oxalates, and tannins), and the importance of water. The course also introduces various assessment tools you can use to streamline your nutrition consulting practice.

Students will develop a foundational understanding of the science of nutrition, the principles of natural nutrition, and the macronutrients and micronutrients. They will learn the impact of diet and nutrition on the human body and how food can support health. Students will know how to maintain and evaluate a food journal.

COURSE NAME: Foundations in Natural Nutrition
COURSE CODE: Nutrition 1.1
COURSE HOURS: 15
COURSE CREDIT: 1
PREREQUISITES: None

TEXT/OTHER LEARNING RESOURCES:

PDF Textbook
Video(s)
Access to the Holistic Nutrition Hub
All learning materials are provided

ACTIVITIES/ASSIGNMENTS:

• Food, Mood, and Activity Journal – Practice Page
• Research Ingredients – Assignment
• Getting Set Up On the HNH Consulting Platform
• Food, Mood, and Activity Journal Assessment
• Macro-calculator Assignment
• Vitamin & Mineral Assessment
• Nutrient Recommendation Tool

EVALUATION/GRADING:

Pass Mark: 80%
Quiz: 80%
Participation: 20%
TOTAL: 100%

Trying to figure out what to eat is not a clear and simple process, so it’s not surprising that the service most often requested from a Natural Nutrition Coach is a menu plan.

Each person has their own specific nutritional needs. An important responsibility of a Natural Nutrition Coach is to identify which eating style is ideal for a client, to determine which nutrients they may require in greater amounts, and to educate and support their client to make eating decisions based on their body’s needs.

This course teaches practical meal planning and menu design to prepare you to work with clients based on their eating preferences, lifestyle, and current health status. Where do you start when your client is a vegan bodybuilder with nut allergies? Or a child with diabetes who won’t eat vegetables?

You will learn how to apply natural nutrition principles to create a healthy, balanced menu that addresses specific health needs and tastes while considering time and budgetary limits.

This course teaches practical meal planning and menu design to prepare you to work with (and offer additional services to) clients. Learn how to apply natural nutrition principles to create a menu that maximizes nutrients and incorporates individual health needs and tastes, while also considering time and budget restraints. Topics include healthy food preparation and practices (including soaking, sprouting, and fermentation), grocery shopping, portion sizes, mindful eating, and meal/menu planning for shift workers. Learn how to guide your clients to decipher food labels and labelling terms, recognize food additives, and understand the benefits of eating local, seasonal, organic, and non-GMO foods. Learn how to overcome barriers to healthy eating: time limitations, feeding picky eaters, eating outside the home and at work, healthy snacking, and breaking unhealthy eating habits.

COURSE NAME: Meal Planning for Your Clients
COURSE CODE: Nutrition 1.5
COURSE HOURS: 10
COURSE CREDIT: 1
PREREQUISITE: Foundations in Natural Nutrition (Nutrition1.1) or an equivalent course is recommended

TEXT/OTHER LEARNING RESOURCES

PDF Textbook
Video(s)
Access to the Holistic Nutrition Hub
All learning materials are provided.

ACTIVITIES/ASSIGNMENTS

• Case study
• Healthy Ingredient Swaps
• Meal Planning Practice Assignment

EVALUATION/GRADING:

Pass Mark: 80%
Meal Planning Practice Assignment 50%
Quiz 50%
TOTAL 100%