Holistic Nutritionist vs. Dietitian in Ontario: Understanding the Difference

When it comes to nutrition, many people assume that a Registered Holistic Nutritionist (RHN) and a Registered Dietitian (RD) are interchangeable. While both professionals are dedicated to helping individuals achieve optimal health through food and lifestyle, they have different educational backgrounds, approaches, and regulatory requirements. That said, they also share many similarities and will both provide well-rounded, personalized health support.  

What is a Registered Holistic Nutritionist?

A Registered Holistic Nutritionist is a professional who takes a whole-body, natural approach to nutrition and wellness. RHNs focus on the root causes of health concerns, rather than just managing symptoms. They emphasize natural, whole foods, lifestyle changes, and supplementation to support the body's ability to heal and thrive.  

Education and Training
RHNs in Ontario typically complete a holistic nutrition program from a recognized private institution such as the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition (CSNN) or the Institute of Holistic Nutrition (IHN). These programs focus on:  
✔ Nutritional science and biochemistry
✔ The healing power of whole foods
✔ Supplementation and herbal remedies
✔ Digestive health and detoxification 
✔ Mind-body connection and lifestyle balance 

Regulation and Scope of Practice 
RHNs are not regulated by the government in Ontario. Instead, they are certified by or registered with their respective schools and may join professional associations like the Canadian Association of Holistic Nutrition Professionals (CAHN-Pro) or the Canadian Association of Natural Nutrition Practitioners (CANNP).

RHNs do not diagnose medical conditions or prescribe treatments but can offer nutritional guidance, meal planning, and lifestyle coaching tailored to individual needs.  

What is a Registered Dietitian (RD)?  

A Registered Dietitian (RD) is a regulated health professional who provides evidence-based dietary guidance, often in clinical, hospital, or public health settings. Dietitians focus on disease prevention, medical nutrition therapy, and food science.  

Education and Training
To become a Registered Dietitian in Ontario, individuals must:  
✔ Complete a bachelor’s degree in food and nutrition from an accredited university  
✔ Complete an accredited dietetic internship or master’s program with practical training  
✔ Pass the Canadian Dietetic Registration Exam (CDRE) 

Regulation and Scope of Practice
Dietitians are regulated by the College of Dietitians of Ontario, which ensures they follow strict professional and ethical guidelines. Because of this, they are legally allowed to:  
✔ Work in clinical settings, including hospitals, long-term care, and private practice  
✔ Diagnose and treat nutritional deficiencies
✔ Provide medical nutrition therapy for conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, or eating disorders  
✔ Work with government agencies to create public health nutrition policies

Our Goals

Despite their differences, RHNs and RDs share a common goal: to help people improve their health through nutrition. While dietitians typically work within the medical system, holistic nutritionists offer a more personalized, natural approach.  

✔Holistic Nutritionists focus on the “why.”  They look at overall wellness, gut health, and lifestyle factors that may be contributing to health concerns.  
✔Dietitians focus on the “how.” They provide evidence-based strategies, meal plans, and medical nutrition therapy to help manage conditions.  

How We Can Help

There are many wellness goals and health concerns that both Registered Holistic Nutritionists and Registered Dietitian’s can help. I have outlined a few below.

✔ weight loss/weight gain

✔ digestive Health (gas, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, diverticulitis, IBS, acid reflux, etc.)

✔ inflammation

✔ diabetes/blood sugar management

✔ high cholesterol/high blood pressure

✔women’s health (perimenopause/menopause, PCOS, PMS)

✔ hypothyroidism/hyperthyroidism

✔auto-immune disorders

✔ fatty liver

✔ chronic kidney disease

✔ osteoporosis/bone health

✔ arthritis

✔ food allergies/sensitivities (ex. celiac, gluten/dairy intolerances)

✔ sleep

✔ energy

✔ stress

Both Registered Holistic Nutritionists and Registered Dietitian’s play an essential role in helping people live healthier lives. Thrive’s RHN & RD will both offer you the same level of support and will help you reach your overall wellness goals.

Check your benefits to see if you are covered for Nutritionist and/or Registered Dietitian services. Contact Steph to learn more about Thrive’s programs and services and how we can help!

Meet Thrive’s Registered Dietitian!

Spring into Wellness: 10 Tips from a holistic nutritionist for Renewed Health

As the vibrant colours of spring bloom around us, it's the perfect time to rejuvenate our health and embrace a fresh start. As a holistic nutritionist, I believe in nourishing the body, mind, and soul for optimal well-being. Here are some tips to help you blossom into a healthier version of yourself this spring.

Tips for Healthy Living:

1. Enjoy Seasonal Produce: Spring brings an abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables. Incorporate seasonal produce like leafy greens, asparagus, strawberries, and artichokes into your meals. These foods are not only delicious but also packed with essential nutrients to support your health.

2. Cleanse with Whole Foods: Spring clean your diet by focusing on whole, unprocessed foods. Minimize consumption of refined sugars, processed foods, and unhealthy fats. Go for nutrient-dense foods like whole grains, lean proteins, nuts, seeds, fruits, vegetables, and legumes to nourish your body from the inside out.

3. Prioritize Mindful Eating: Slow down and savor your meals mindfully. Pay attention to your body's hunger and fullness cues and aim to eat in a relaxed environment. Mindful eating can help prevent overeating, improve digestion, and enhance your relationship with food.

4. Nourish Your Gut: Support your gut health by incorporating probiotic-rich foods like yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, and kombucha into your diet. A healthy gut microbiome is essential for proper digestion, immune function, and overall health. A probiotic is always good to include as well.

5. Move Your Body Outdoors: Take advantage of the longer days and warmer weather by getting active outdoors. Whether it's going for a brisk walk, cycling through the park, or practicing yoga in nature, spending time outdoors can boost your mood, energy levels, and overall well-being.

6. Practice Stress Management: Spring is a time of renewal and growth, but it can also bring stress as we juggle various responsibilities. Prioritize stress-reducing activities like meditation, deep breathing exercises, journaling, or spending time in nature to promote relaxation and mental well-being.

7. Get Adequate Sleep: Don't underestimate the importance of quality sleep for your health. Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep per night to allow your body to rest, repair, and recharge. Establish a relaxing bedtime routine and create a conducive sleep environment to optimize your sleep quality.

8. Hydrate with Herbal Teas: Say goodbye to winter's heavy beverages and welcome lighter options like herbal teas. Hydration is key for overall health, and herbal teas not only keep you hydrated but also offer various health benefits. Try options like peppermint, chamomile, or dandelion root for a refreshing twist. In addition to this, be sure to drink lots of water each day!

9. Stay Connected with People: Surround yourself with supportive friends, family, and community members who uplift and inspire you on your health journey. Social connections are vital for mental and emotional well-being, so make time for meaningful interactions with your loved ones.

10. Listen to Your Body: Above all, listen to your body's needs and honor them with kindness and compassion. Tune in to how different foods, activities, and lifestyle choices make you feel, and make adjustments accordingly. Your body is your best guide on the path to optimal health.

This spring, let's embrace the season of renewal and commit to nurturing our health holistically. By nourishing our bodies, minds, and souls with wholesome foods, mindful practices, and self-care rituals, we can cultivate a vibrant and thriving life.

If you’re looking for the daily guidance, support, and accountability to help you reach your wellness goals this spring, reach out to Steph, holistic nutritionist, and start your journey to better health.

Here's to a season of wellness, growth, and abundant vitality!

Down 30 Pounds - Happy and Healthy!

Before I started Stephanie's 6-week course, I was 220lbs with a constantly bloated and sore stomach, poor sleep quality, and deteriorating mental and physical health. Through Stephanie's assessment and 6-week course, I reached my first goal: lose 20lbs and weigh less than 200lbs. As I have not weighed less than 200lbs in over 2 years, I never thought that I would be able to lose that much weight. However, Stephanie and her program proved me wrong. Since then, my physical and mental well-being has improved drastically. I have continued the program independently and have continued to see progress. On my own, I have lost an additional 10lbs thus far, bringing my total weight loss to approximately 30lbs in 2.5 months.
Not only does Stephanie help you achieve your goals, but she helps teach you how to maintain your goals. What has helped me the most is Stephanie's motto that this is a "lifestyle change", not just a diet. With the help of her and her program, I have started to feel like myself again. Now, I feel happier, healthier, and better able to manage my previous eating habits (e.g., binge eating). To anyone worried about taking that next step in your journey, I highly recommend taking that step with Stephanie. I wouldn't be where I am or have the tools required to maintain my progress in this journey without her help. Thank you, Stephanie! You have helped me change my life in more ways than I can express.

Amber, Age 22

Get the Daily Support You Need to Reach Your Weight Loss and Overall Health Goals with a Registered Holistic Nutritionist!

As a Registered Holistic Nutritionist, I strive every day to help my clients lead a healthier, more active, and vibrant lifestyle. My goal is to provide my clients with the nutritional knowledge and tools necessary to create a healthy balanced diet and a state of overall wellbeing. I work every day to ensure that my clients are focused, happy and on track to reach their weight loss and overall health goals.

I recognize that each and every person that I work with is unique, and that they all have very different needs. Through an in depth initial assessment followed by daily contact and support, we work together to create a healthy balanced diet that my clients will enjoy and be able to maintain long term. It’s this daily communication that is the key to my client’s success, as they are held accountable each and every day for the choices that they make!

By providing my clients with the knowledge and tips necessary to improve their health and to reach their personal goals, my clients soon become their own expert and are capable of continuing independently with their journey to better health and happiness. 

Thrive’s programs are completely customized to you and your personal health and wellness goals. Your nutritional program is based on incorporating a variety of natural whole foods into your diet, reducing/eliminating processed and refined foods, and educating you on proper food combining and portion control to ensure that you are making a true lifestyle change that you will enjoy and be able to maintain long term. 

What Does Thrive’s Customized Online Nutrition Program Entail?

A NUTRITION PLAN CUSTOMIZED FOR YOUR GOALS

·       Initial Nutritional Assessment for You to Keep

·       Nutrition Plan/Guidance Customized for Your Goals

·       Grocery Lists & Shopping Tips

·       Pantry Points & Kitchen Clean Out

·       Customized Meal Plans (when requested) 

ACCOUNTABILITY TO KEEP YOU ON TRACK

·       Daily Online Support Through Email and Text to Answer Your Questions

·       Frequent Diet Review and Suggestions

·       Weekly or Bi-Weekly Phone Calls or Video Meetings to Touch Base (if needed)

·       Weekly Weight-In & Program Evaluation 

EDUCATION & TIPS TO HELP YOU MAINTAIN SUCCESS

·       Reading and Understanding Food Labels

·       How to Eat Healthy on the Run/When Dining Out

·       Recommendations on Supplemental Protocol

·       Exercise Advice and Customized Workout Programs

The initial written assessment will provide you with constructive feedback based on your current eating habits and lifestyle, and will also address any health concerns, food sensitivities and other challenges that you may have. The assessment will also contain a lot of great suggestions, tips, and recipes to get you started.

The program duration is customizable, with 6, 8, 12 or 24 week programs available depending on your needs and goals. The program is available to clients from across Canada. The online program piece makes it easy for us to work together no matter where you are located. 

With the online nutrition program, I will provide you with daily guidance, support, and motivation along with the knowledge and accountability to keep you on track as you embark on your health and wellness journey. Together we will get you to where you want to be!

Reach out today to learn more about Thrive’s customized nutrition programs and how working with a registered nutritionist can help you reach your goals and improve your overall health through nutrition and lifestyle changes!

How A Holistic Nutritionist Can Help You

Making a healthy change to your diet and lifestyle will not only have a positive impact on your health, it will also bring you one step closer to reaching your personal wellness goals.

As a holistic nutritionist, I work with my clients to restore balance and create a state of overall nourishment and wellbeing using a holistic natural approach. Through an initial assessment, I will gather information about your health history, your current diet and lifestyle habits as well as your emotional state to help identify the root cause of any underlying health issues/concerns that you may have. From there, my goal is to empower my clients to improve their nutrition and overall health through a natural nutrient dense diet, a balanced lifestyle and a positive mind-body connection.

Improving your nutrition can help you:

• lose weight

• sleep better

• increase energy

• boost self-confidence

• enhance mental clarity and wellbeing

• reduce stress

• improve digestion

• control cravings

• look & feel your best

• improve your overall quality of life

Making a healthy change can also be beneficial to help you manage and improve existing health conditions:

• eating disorders

• food allergies/sensitivities

• skin conditions

• headaches/migraines

• stress/anxiety

• sleep issues

• PMS/Menopause symptoms

• obesity/weight issues

• high cholesterol

• high blood pressure

• diabetes/blood sugar

• inflammation

• auto-immune disorders

• arthritis

• depression/mood disorders

Fuelling your body with the right nutrients every day can also help prevent disease and keep you thriving!

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My goal is to provide my clients with the knowledge they need to make healthy food choice each day, along with the guidance, support and accountability to help them reach and maintain their weight loss and overall health and wellness goals.

Thrive’s programs are customized to each unique individual client and are focused on helping create a true lifestyle change! If you’re ready to make a healthy change, contact Steph, registered holistic nutritionist, to learn more!