Foundations in Natural Nutrition

Natural Nutrition is much more than what a person eats.

It’s the process of building a relationship with food and living a more natural way of life. It’s the understanding that because no two bodies are exactly alike, no two diets should be alike, either. This comprehensive evidence-based foundational course provides a detailed and systematic guide to the principles of nutrition from a holistic perspective. It is an essential starting point for the study of Natural Nutrition, reviewing the concepts and science of food and human nutrition and the principles of a natural foods diet as they relate to health and well-being.

Preview Textbook

Food supplies the building blocks of the human body, and what you consume will be reflected in all aspects of your life—physically, mentally, emotionally, and even spiritually.

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…

This isn't just any Nutrition Course!

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, & lipids) and micronutrients (vitamins & 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.

Guide to Supplements

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.

Some of the benefits included in the Holistic Nutrition Hub lessons include:

Access to all the consulting tools, resources, and assessments that you will need to run a business including:

Recipe Templates
Meal Planning Templates
Vitamin and Mineral Deficiency Assessment
Nutrient Recommendation Table
Macronutrient calculator
Food, Mood, and Symptom Journal
Client Recommendation Template
In-depth walkthroughs on how to use relevant forms and assessments with clients
Access to webinar series that will help you start and create your ideal business
Professional, brandable documents that can be sent to your clients online saving you time and creating a seamless process with clients

Course Outline

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.

Course Objectives

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.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will have demonstrated the ability to:

Explain the principles and philosophy of natural nutrition.
Understand the health risks associated with a modern, processed food diet.
Use the Food, Mood, and Activity Journal to assess a client’s current diet and eating patterns.
Use the Nutrition Facts panel to identify specific macronutrients and nutrients and their amount(s) per serving.
Understand the structures, classification, and importance to human health, energy, and metabolism of each macronutrient, and identify optimal food choices for each.
Understand how the body digests, metabolizes and uses carbohydrates, protein and lipids.
Calculate macronutrient ratios specific to a client.
Identify the differences between soluble and insoluble fibers and understand their benefits to human health.
Educate clients about how to incorporate specific macronutrients and fibre into their diet.
Know the differences between whole grains and refined grains.
Explain what gluten is and identify the food sources of gluten.
Explain insulin resistance, identify the range of safe blood glucose levels and describe dietary and lifestyle interventions and strategies that may balance blood glucose.
Understand the differences between natural sugars and added sugars and explain the dangers of added sugars.
Help a client incorporate specific amounts of protein into their diet based on their individual requirements.
Explain the various types of fats and lipids.
Understand the health benefits, sources, and adequate intakes of omega-3 fatty acids.
Recognize the dangers of trans fatty acids.
Understand how vegetable oils are processed and identify safe vs. harmful cooking oils.
Recognize the impact of diet on health and the environment.
Understand the functions, absorption, deficiency symptoms, causes and effects of deficiency, recommended allowances, dietary sources, supplement guidelines, and clinical applications for each vitamin, mineral, and trace mineral.

Welcome & Introduction

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.

Welcome & Introduction

How to Navigate This Course

Our Four Pillars Approach to Health

Our Student Policy Handbook

Course Outline: Foundations in Natural Nutrition

NNC 1.1.1 Macronutrients

This section introduces natural nutrition, the principles of whole foods eating, and the science
of nutrition. Tools to track and evaluate eating habits are presented. The other focus of this
section is the macronutrients—the carbohydrates, proteins, and fats: their structures, functions in the body, individual requirements, optimal vs. unhealthy food sources, and impact on blood glucose regulation. This section closes with an opportunity to examine your personal diet’s environmental footprint.

Textbook- NNC 1.1.1 Macronutrients

Food, Mood and Activity Journal PDF

Macronutrient Quiz

NNC 1.1.2 Fat-Soluble Vitamins

The micronutrients are as important as the macronutrients. This section introduces vitamins
and minerals, highlighting the fat-soluble vitamins—their roles and functions, how their
absorption is enhanced or hampered, toxicity and deficiency symptoms and causes of
deficiency, food sources, daily requirements, supplement guidelines, and clinical applications
for each of the fat-soluble vitamins.

Textbook - NNC 1.1.2 Fat Soluble Vitamins

Quiz - Fat Soluble Vitamins

NNC 1.1.3 Water-Soluble Vitamins

In this section, the water-soluble vitamins are discussed in detail—roles and functions,
digestion and absorption, signs and causes of toxicity and deficiency, food sources, and daily
requirements. Guidelines for dietary supplements and clinical applications for each of the
water-soluble vitamins are provided.

Textbook - NNC 1.1.3 Water Soluble Vitamins

Quiz - Water Soluble Vitamins

NNC 1.1.4 Micronutrients & Minerals

This section presents the macro- and microminerals and their essential roles and functions.
Absorption, deficiency symptoms, and causes of deficiency are explained. Described in detail are the food sources, daily requirements, supplement guidelines, and clinical applications for each mineral and trace mineral.

Textbook - NNC 1.1.4 Micronutrients & Minerals

Quiz - Micronutrients & Minerals

Vitamin & Mineral Deficiency Assessment

Webinar: What Your Body is Telling You

NNC 1.1.5 Water, Phytonutrients & Other Important Nutrients

Learn the importance of water in the body, the signs and symptoms of dehydration, and how to use urine to identify hydration levels. Antioxidants, free radicals, and anti-nutrients are discussed in detail, with an emphasis on certain “superfoods” that offer specific health benefits. This section concludes Foundations in Natural Nutrition.

Textbook - NNC 1.1.5 Water, Phytonutrients & Other Important Nutrients

Quiz - Water & Other Important Nutrients

Supplement Guide

This section describes how to choose and recommend quality dietary supplements, as well as how to take supplements to maximize their absorption. Learn how to identify ingredients, allergens, additives, and contraindications from the label. Quality control, third-party testing,
government guidelines, and licensing are discussed. This handbook will become an integral part of your practice.

Video - Recommending Nutrition Supplements

Choosing Quality Supplements Guide

Next Steps

After the Foundations in Natural Nutrition Course

Introduction to Your Practitioner Files & Dashboard

We provide you with the assessment, questionnaires & templates that you need to have to streamline your business. In this section you will learn to set up a simple way to communicate relevant assessments & questionnaires with your clients while completing activities to complete the course.

Introduction to Your Practitioner Files & Dashboard

How to Send & Edit Intake forms & assessments

Food, Mood, & Symptom Journal Activity

Food-Mood-Activity -Journal.pdf

123 KB

Macronutrient Calculator

Quiz - Assessment Tool

Client Recommendation Template

FAQ section

Frequently asked questions

You've got questions. We've got answers.

Are there any prerequisites to taking this course?

No, there are no prerequisites to this course. This is considered an introductory course to Natural Nutrition.

How long is the Foundations in Natural Nutrition course?

It is estimated that this course will take 15 hours to complete.

Do you provide a certificate?

Yes, you receive a certificate upon the successful completion of the course.

What is a passing grade?

All quizzes must be passed with 80%.

How is this course presented?

This is an online course, that is 100% self-paced. Your learning materials include a downloadable PDF textbook, online quizzes, assignments, and videos to review.