Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)"
What is Functional Nutrition?
Sometimes called Medical Nutrition Therapy, Functional Medicine or Functional Nutrition is ultimately a holistic health approach that considers every aspect of your health, including diet, exercise, lifestyle and emotional well-being to provide nutritional and beh recommendations for optimal health.
As functional nutrition practitioners, we look at the big picture and see how your symptoms are interrelated to every part of your body (and the way you live). The strategy focuses on restoring your body and tapping into your body’s natural ability to heal in order to restore health.Instead of focusing on simply treating your symptoms, we look at them as clues to diagnose the root cause of your problems and then apply a therapeutic diet to help you feel better.
We also use functional medicine testing and lab work to help us complete your overall picture and apply a precise strategy and get better results.
And unlike traditional medicine that works to suppress symptoms with medication, functional nutrition looks to resolve the problem at its core. We’ll consider a variety of factors to create a holistic health plan that you can implement and . . . will allow you to feel better.
One of the biggest benefits of applying a functional nutrition approach is that it looks at your complete health history, your symptoms and a variety of lifestyle factors to craft a solution that is unique to you! As we share with clients, you’ll be amazed at how quickly you’ll feel better . . . perhaps even better than you’ve felt before!
What symptoms do you treat?
We specialize in many areas of Medical Nutritional Therapy. We employ a targeted nutrition strategy that can help you manage chronic illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer, autoimmune conditions, Gastrointestinal disorders, (IBS/IBD/Crohn’s ), hormone imbalances and inflammatory conditions.
Gastrointestinal
The health and integrity of the gastrointestinal tract is intimately linked to diet and nutrition. Through diet modifications you can get relief from IBS, Crohn’s, colitis and constipation.
Cancer
Diet is an essential component of cancer treatment. Eating the right kinds of foods before, during and after treatment can help you feel better and stay stronger. We can create cancer fighting meal plans specific to your diagnosis.
Diabetes
Diet is at the core of diabetes management. Eating properly is crucial help manage diabetes. Our programs address nutrition; exercise and lifestyle habits that help keep your diabetes under control.
Cardiovascular Health
Proper nutrition, exercise, and stress management are key factors in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease. Our plans address all of the modalities: nutrition, exercise and stress reduction techniques that help prevent and manage cardiovascular disease.
Auto-Immune Health
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, and Arthritis are just a few examples of autoimmune illnesses. Proper diet, as well as other lifestyle factors is essential to the management of these syndromes. Each illness is individual and our programs are custom tailored to each person’s unique needs.
General Health And Wellness Programs
Developed for those who are interested in improving their overall wellness, looking their best and eating for disease prevention.
Lifestyle, Excellent Health And Beautiful Skin!
Aimed at those who want to understand how to eat right to stay young, healthy and vibrant feeling while simultaneously eating for complete and total wellness.
We believe that you are what you eat. . . . so, if you’re concerned about how you can improve the way your skin is affected by what you eat or the stomach ache that you get after eating certain foods or want to gain back that energetic feeling that you used to have, we can help. We’ll teach you how food can have healing properties unique to you. We offer up to date nutrition that caters to all ages and lifestyles.
Hormonal Wellness, Balance And Nutrition
Hormones are responsible for virtually all chemical reactions in our bodies. Hormonal wellness and balance work synergistically with your nutrition. An imbalance in any of our hormones can cause effects ranging from fatigue to anxiety, weight gain as well as an inability to lose weight.
Through specific diagnostic testing we’ll evaluate hormone levels and develop an easy, specific plan that will address and correct your hormone issues. Sometimes, just a few minor nutritional adjustments are all it takes!
Pre And Post Natal
We all know that good nutrition is crucial during your pregnancy but don’t always know where to begin.
Proper nutrition has been shown to prevent neurological birth defects, improve cognitive development and ensure proper tissue and bone development. Meryl will also educate you on how to properly nourish your body and lose weight safely after giving birth.
Kids And Teens
Designed to help your children learn to make healthy choices throughout their growing years, we can teach you how to develop healthy habits early.
Whether it is working with your children at a very young age or teaching them how to eat in their teens we offer programs and will meet with your children to help design an individualized plan and inspire even the pickiest eater!
Sports Nutrition
Maximize your workouts through proper nutrition.
Whether your goal is to increase lean muscle mass, or learn how to get the most out of your workouts, we’ll educate you on the appropriate proportions of carbohydrates, fats, and protein for maximum performance in your sport.
Learn how to hydrate properly, eat for recovery and train with maximum energy.
Detox Cleanse
Cleansing and detoxification on a regular basis is one of the pillars of enduring good health. Learn how to rid your system of toxins accumulated through poor diet and environmental toxins.
It’s a good idea to cleanse your system of the toxins we are exposed to through air and water pollution, chemicals, and the over consumption of refined, lifeless foods.
For most people who are generally experiencing vibrant health, the change of season is a fantastic time for such a program. For other clients, this gentle detoxification as part of a greater health plan is often the best way to help boost the mental and physical body towards specific restoration and change.
We offer a variety of different programs to suit your specific needs.
Do you work with people online?
Yes! No matter where you live, we can help you optimize your health. We also offer specific programs, such as The New Normal, that are actually designed to be taken online. You can also receive one-on-one nutritional coaching from us via video communication to help you get the personalized support you need!
We also offer access to our online portal, Practice Better, so that all of the information, recipes and even access to your coach will be at your fingertips!
What is the difference between your weight management and optimal health programs?
Our weight loss programs are designed to help you lose weight, provide maximum support and develop the habits you’ll need to maintain your weight long-term. You’ll learn how to eat to maximize your health and keep the weight off . . . for the long-run.
Although our weight management programs are focused mainly on helping you lose or maintain a healthy weight, you will learn important nutrition information and tools to help you feel healthy and vibrant for years to come.
Our optimal health and nutrition programs are designed to help you learn the skills and develop habits that will keep you healthy for a lifetime. They may have the added benefit of helping you lose some weight, but they are truly designed to show you how to eat for your body. Unlike our weight loss programs, our healthy eating and restorative health programs are designed to consider all the factors that go into creating optimal health – including sleep, stress, emotions and diet.
Do you accept Insurance?
We do not accept insurance although we can provide you with a super bill that you can submit to your insurance company for reimbursement.
Our programs are quite unique to each individual and we do not follow a one size fits all approach. We customize each plan specific to your goals and needs.
Traditionally insurance companies only reimburse for a just a few sessions. We are committed to our client’s success and we know that effective treatment requires time. Our programs are designed to be at least 8-12 weeks long, which is what we have found the minimum time frame that is recommended in order to achieve meaningful and lasting results.
We take our time with each client and we ensure that we listen and evaluate all of your symptoms. We don’t focus only on a diagnosis. We are about getting to the root cause of an issue and work towards creating balance, and overall health.
We do, however, offer payment plans that make it easy for you to address your personal health needs.