What Is Integrative and Functional Nutrition?
Integrative and functional nutrition goes beyond basic dietetics, or food science, to evaluate the internal and external influences that either support or negate nutritional health and well-being. Although we all need to eat for survival, our relationships with food are often determined by factors far beyond personal taste or cravings.
By focusing not on an individual’s single symptom but their entire lived experience, including medical, environmental, psychological, economic, and other various backgrounds, integrative and functional nutrition practitioners can improve quality of life through lifestyle enhancements, humanistic medicine, and health science recommendations suited for their client’s specific circumstances.
Integrative and functional nutrition aims to improve lives for healthier living by treating the mind, body, and spirit.
What Can You Do With an Online Degree in Integrative and Functional Nutrition Degree?
Many of our graduates use their integrative nutrition degrees to establish their own private practices and nutrition centers or apply their newfound knowledge to enhance already established careers. Others embrace their inspirational side to serve through independent consulting, coaching, research, or higher education.
Our integrative and functional nutrition graduates have the interdisciplinary skills needed to find rewarding and fulfilling careers in a variety of nutritional medicine and health care fields and settings. These include:
Career Settings
- Research
- Functional medicine
- Clinical nutrition
- Herbal medicine
- Culinary and food industries
- Integrative care centers
- Independent practice
- Community and public health
- Sports nutrition
- Teaching and academia
Integrative and Functional Nutrition FAQs
Is integrative and functional nutrition evidence-based?
Yes, integrative and functional nutrition is informed by biochemistry, nutrition science, psychology, and scientific research to provide an education beyond basic food science.
How is functional nutrition different from traditional nutrition?
Integrative and functional nutrition takes a whole-person approach compared to traditional medicine, which tends to take a symptom-based approach to nutrition. The functional nutrition approach includes looking at a client’s lived experiences, medical history, psychological history, and other factors like environmental and economic factors to find the best nutrition plan suited to the client.
Can you earn a functional nutrition degree online?
Yes! At Saybrook University, all of our nutrition programs are offered online. Some of our nutrition programs have optional in-person learning experiences, but they are not required. All requirements for the nutrition programs can be completed 100% online.
What can I do with an online nutrition degree?
Depending on the degree level you achieve, there are many career opportunities for graduates with an integrative and functional nutrition degree. Many of our graduates pursue a career as a nutritionist, dietician, product developer, or health program developer. You can also go into research or academia if that’s where your interests lie.
Why You Should Study Integrative and Functional Nutrition
To gain a complete understanding of the factors that influence someone’s relationship with food, our students adhere to an interdisciplinary approach to learning, incorporating the fields of medicine, psychology, public health, and beyond. This ensures their designed interventions are well-rounded, evidence-based, and specific.
UNBOUND: Integrative and Functional Nutrition
Discover the unique ways integrative and functional nutrition students, alumni, and faculty apply their education to facilitate wellness in the latest from UNBOUND, our online magazine.
Saybrook Learning Model
Our Integrative and Functional Nutrition programs offer an enriching, asynchronous online experience with occasional synchronous elements that bring us together as a community for connection and collaboration. Although most of your time will be online, in-person attendance may be necessary at a University Learning Experience depending on your program’s requirements. Visit the Saybrook Learning Model page to learn more about the University Learning Experience.
