Professional Practice explores the foundational practices and concepts to succeed in a professional work environment. This course aims to equip students with tools, skills and best practices to excel in the field of holistic nutrition with a strong focus on practicing in private clinical practice settings. Emphasis is placed on legal framework, language, marketing techniques, social media applications, defining goals, consulting skills, time management, client relationships, building rapport, and professionalism. Professional Practice builds on the communication skills taught in Professional Skills Development. Initiatives for working locally and internationally; in-person and virtually; on individual and group programs; in print and public broadcast medias; independently or in clinic with regulated professionals are discussed. Essential topics like launching, operating, and scaling business ventures are reviewed. Defining professional fees for protocols and programs is a significant learning outcome in this course. Learning Objectives: • Write and develop an effective business proposal to establish a new venture or expand an existing one. • Provide insight on accountability to clients, confidentiality, compassion, creating non-judgemental spaces and professional boundaries • Taking risks, discipline, motivation, creativity, autonomy and building confidence are all part of the course material • Learn the best practices of networking from IHN’s alumni and community leaders in natural health • Learn the profession’s standards and guidelines associated with curating and managing a successful nutrition practice • Explore the various modalities and business models and methods to determine a unique client avatar • Learn how to create a media kit, powerful resumes and how to approach brands for collaborative opportunities • The role of advocacy in, and for, our profession Professional Practice is designed to encourage both personal and professional growth. It gives students the resources to consider how they will contribute to the profession’s growth and elevate the legitimacy of the field as a whole. Graduates will have a strong base understanding of how to develop effective nutrition consulting skills, within their niche, anywhere in the world. This course stresses the power of one’s vision and mission to hold a unique space in the field. It defines the importance of structure and solid processes to complete tasks. Two critical focal points of the syllabus rest on attaining optimal client health outcomes and how to thrive as a reputable and recognized holistic nutrition professional.

Comparative Diets provides a critical assessment of the many therapeutic benefits and limitations of several alternative diet approaches, including low-carb diets, high-protein diets (Paleo Diet, Dr. Atkins, Keto, Carnivore), Plant-based approaches (Vegetarian, Vegan, Fruitarian, Raw Food, Rainbow), Longevity and Cultural diets (Okinawa, Mediterranean, Macrobiotic, Fasting), Condition-based diets (Glycemic Index, Intermittent Fasting, Food Combining, Low-FODMAP-Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides and Polyols, GAPS-Gut and Psychology Syndrome, AIP-Autoimmune Protocol). This course will also address, in detail, the main detoxification diets from caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine. Students are taught and evaluated on succinctly identifying dietary imbalances as well as analyzing micronutrient propositions to design custom health-promoting diets and lifestyle programs. Learning Outcomes: • Explore kinetics of living systems, the law of opposites and the effects on the body and feelings of certain foods, the meaning of cravings • Distinguish the models of food dynamics including expansive/contracting and acid/alkaline food products • Describe how holistic individuality, metabolic typing, and the blood type diet are rooted in personalized biochemistry • Explain the benefits of cold-pressed juice to address both acute and chronic health conditions and increase vitality • Develop insights into the fundamental knowledge of mechanistic principles and complementary effects of several alternative diet regimens on health Comparative Diets informs future practitioners to recommend specific dietary protocols that are determined by biochemical individuality. To promote optimal health, this course instructs practitioners to safely and effectively recommend nourishing and cleansing diets.

Nutrition Through the Lifespan addresses macro and micronutrient needs based on the lifespan model. A healthy nutritional status is vital throughout every stage, supporting pregnancy outcomes, growth, and aging. This comprehensive course begins with the foundations of essential nutrients for fertility and pregnancy; pediatrics including lactation with particular attention to infant feeding in the first year; navigating childhood nutritional demands; to adolescence including allergies and disorders as they relate to the repercussions of nutritional deficiencies. Early adulthood, midlife and mature adulthood for women’s and men’s health is explored, adding lifestyle and environmental factors that contribute to optimal health at each life stage. Support for nutritional challenges faced in geriatric nutrition round out the program. This course introduces students to the etiology and symptoms of common health conditions that are a key determinant of nutritional status. Evaluations through tests and case studies examine individualized dietary requirements, giving students the insight and ability to design optimal nutrition, supplement and lifestyle guidance for clients throughout their stages of life. Learning Objectives: • To understand nutritional choices impact overall health and vitality, for all age groups and their related conditions • Students will develop protocols that include dietary, detox, supplementation and lifestyle recommendations at all stages • To gain an understanding of the significant nutritional needs for optimal pregnancy, growth, and development • To analyze and address contributing factors in the elimination of food allergies and intolerances, particularly for children • Address the imperative nature of optimal digestive health, at all stages Nutrition Through the Lifespan contributes to keen insights into the lifespan model to address conditions and imbalances. Using a case study approach, this course is highly applicable, giving students the opportunity to research and develop key protocols for diverse age ranges.