Why Nutritional Therapy Practitioner Melissa?

This is a question I often get asked, so I thought I would share with all of you.

During High School I grew a deep passion for health and fitness and decided during my Senior year that I wanted to pursue a career in nutrition. After I graduated, I attended MCC, ASU, and EWU. I completed the “typical” classes of chemistry and sociology but also a lot of nutritional courses as well. I started college the year that the Food Guide Pyramid debuted. Back then, I didn’t know any better (as nobody else did either) so I began to believe that we needed 6 to 11 servings of carbohydrates a day…WHOA!

Mick and I started our family right around this time as well. I knew that with so much schooling already under my belt I couldn’t just let it go. My passion was still there but my home life was changing. I decided to try taking online classes but at that time, I just wanted to be a stay at home mom and spend as much time with my children as I could.

Mick and I try to eat right most of the time.

I never allowed myself to quit learning and educating myself though. I dove into the fitness side of “health” and continued to take nutritional courses, I studied journals, and also received online certifications. As I continued my own education, my ideas on what proper nutrition was also started changing for me.

I soon realized that I accidentally had been what is called an intermittent faster because I had been eating in a shorter window my whole adult life. I started to study more about intermittent fasting and was relieved to find out that it was incredibly beneficial to someone like me.

Above and beyond that, I also shifted my thoughts on what a therapeutic diet should look like. I researched enough to realize that a diet high in carbohydrates was not our healthiest choice and that we also shouldn’t fear healthy fats like I was taught in the ‘90s.

So when I decided to go back to school, I did a lot of research. I knew I didn’t want to go back to a government-funded school but instead a private one that aligned more with my own thoughts. I also didn’t want to attend a school that was influenced in any way.

I researched a lot to find the right school that aligned with my way of eating!

This brought me to the Nutritional Therapy Association. Their beliefs and teachings come from some of the greatest scientific minds ever to research nutrition, Westin Price and Dr. Francis Pottenger.

NTA has trained over 5000 Practitioners worldwide, including all 50 states, Canada, Australia, Asia, and Europe. NTP’s are now common in holistic and allopathic medical practices.

NTP’s teach the concept of bioavailability, meaning that a “one size fits all” approach to nutrition does not exist. We are educated to help our clients find the right types of whole foods that will restore balance and enhance their bodies' ability to heal.

Although doctors appreciate the importance of proper diet and nutritional supplementation, it’s often difficult for them to spend time conducting the proper evaluation and counseling necessary to support optimal healing. NTP’s can choose to take their education and work alongside doctors either in office or in private practice to support their diagnosis and treatment plan.

It’s not just another online course with a test at the end. It was a specific training based on foundations that are proven to help the body thrive. Many months of clinical work were done to ensure that every NTP had the opportunity to practice and perfect The client/practitioner relationship…even down to thorough communication to make sure nothing was forgotten, overlooked, or hidden in the consultations.

But for those of you that know me well, you know how much I geek over the power of real food and the scientific function of the body. My goal is to deliver science-based education that connects holistic nutrition through real food's power in the unique needs of every individual body.

The National Association of Nutritional Professionals (NANO) included NTA’s Nutritional Therapist training program in their approved and recommended holistic nutrition education programs. NTA is also a cornerstone member of the American Nutrition Association.

It was ten months of very specific studying (no history or algebra here…lol), clinical work, and reading. Still, I loved every second of it and am sad that there is not any sort of extended education through them, specifically because I enjoyed it so much.

However, I will always be a student and will continue to find ways to further my knowledge and ability to help other people and their families live their happiest and healthiest.