What is a Functional Dietitian?
Have you ever heard the title “Functional Dietitian” and thought to yourself… huh?? Yeah, I get that a lot. I want to break down just exactly what a functional dietitian does, and how I can help YOU get to the root(s) of gut issues, chronic inflammation, and/or stubborn weight issues.
what does a functional dietitian do?
A functional dietitian does more than simply write meal plans! The functional dietitian looks at your whole health picture to help you uncover the root causes behind symptoms like gut issues, inflammation, fatigue, chronic illness, or stubborn weight changes. Instead of focusing on quick fixes, I use a science-based, functional approach that considers how your diet, digestion, stress, sleep, environment, daily habits, exercise, and even genetics impact your body. By understanding how these systems work together — and where they’re out of balance — I create a personalized nutrition, supplement, and lifestyle plan that supports gut health, reduces inflammation, restores energy, and helps you LIVE EAT AND PERFORM at your best again.
where we start
Functional nutrition helps uncover hidden triggers like gut imbalance, food sensitivities, nutrient gaps or environmental stressors. And I usually start with drainage and the gut. The old saying “All disease begins in the gut” from Hippocrates, is mostly true. He believed that the gut microbiome and gut lining were directly connected to systemic inflammation, immunity, and autoimmune conditions. In fact, from all the patients I’ve worked with. when we can address gut health and help their gut rebalance, the rest of the healing work falls into place. To do this, we need to test. I utilize labs and functional microbiome (aka stool) testing to uncover hidden roots to ongoing issues.
"All disease begins in the gut"
I might also look at one’s overall toxin burden at the same time as evaluating the gut. Usually, there is a REASON why one’s gut issues are chronic. A total toxin burden test looks at mycotoxins (mold!), heavy metals, and environmental toxins. Both of these tests together give me a pretty good idea at where to start in guiding one’s healing journey.
And because I am a licensed dietitian, we will also look at various medical nutrition therapy avenues one can take to help alleviate symptoms and inflammation. Dietitians can guide patients with therapeutic diets, which can help healing happen much faster.
in the right order, at the right time
I cannot stress enough, the importance of addressing the right root cause in the right order at the right time. That is why it is so important that we use the appropriate tests combined with a thorough evaluation and symptomology to determine where to begin. I’ve seen too many people start in the wrong spot and end up worse off (I’m talking about YOU heavy metals and heavy parasite cleanses). Trust me, I LOVE a good parasite cleanse and have the photos to prove it. But, all in good time. That is the purpose of taking a functional approach – knowing where to start and how to best support the body where it’s at right now.
Do kids benefit from functional nutrition too?
You bet they do! I also work with kids and families to help everyone feel their best! Everyone’s symptoms can present differently, yet be linked to similar causes. That’s why it’s important we test first, and implement individualized strategies to facilitate healing.
you can heal!
So, IF you have struggled with weight loss resistance, chronic inflammation, leaky gut / IBS / SIBO/ gut imbalances, a root cause nutrition approach might just be the route for you! I can’t wait to work with you on your own healthy journey, healing your gut and ultimately resolving your root causes.
schedule a visit today!
REFERENCES
PMID: 31105489
Last Updated on December 29, 2025 by Lindsey Remmers
