Decades ago, the term holistic nutrition was barely known. Today, it is part of the lexicon of the nutrition industry, and is a term well recognized within the health care field as well as among the general population. Even though CSNN acknowledges the important contribution by the pioneers of the holistic nutrition industry, this achievement is due largely to the enormous commitment of one group of professionals: R.H.N. Registered Holistic Nutritionists™.

Graduates of the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition’s comprehensive Natural Nutrition Diploma program are dedicated professionals who follow a Code of Ethics (Appendix A), and who educate individuals about the health benefits of natural nutrition and a healthy lifestyle. Their scope of practice is outlined in Appendix B. As per their scope of practice, a R.H.N. Registered Holistic Nutritionist™ does not perform any Controlled Acts outlined in the Regulated Provincial Health Acts. Together with the education referred to above, holistic nutritionists support their clients’ wellbeing and assist health care providers to deal with many aspects involved in a client’s health. Due to their level of knowledge, holistic nutritionists are valuable contributors to health care and work alongside medical professionals such as chiropractors, naturopaths, homeopaths, and medical doctors. While no governmental regulation exists or is required for holistic nutritionists, CSNN graduates adhere to a Code of Ethics, Scope of Practice and principles learned at CSNN which set very high standards. The science of nutrition is fast evolving and CSNN is well adapted to provide education at the most current levels. What was thought good yesterday may be proven lacking tomorrow so our profession must adapt quickly to keep pace with science.

There are approximately 5,000 Registered Holistic Nutritionists™* working in several countries. Their number, as well as their education and training, ensure that they are leaders in the industry. The education provided by the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition (CSNN) is unparalleled in the holistic field. CSNN offers a curriculum which is standardized across the country, is regularly reviewed and updated to ensure its quality and current relevance. Its Instructor Professional Development Workshops also speak well of CSNN’s commitment to educational standards. CSNN’s Natural Nutrition program and classroom instructional facilities are recognized under the Private Vocational Schools Act in Alberta, the New Brunswick Private Occupational Training Act, the Department of Education of Nova Scotia, and the Private Career Training Institutions Agency (PCTIA) in British Columbia.

Strong promotion by the CSNN Alumni Association and apprenticeship with the Canadian Association of Holistic Nutrition Professionals (CAHNPro) contribute to the demand for CSNN graduates, not only as practitioners in overall health care, but also as writers, speakers, public educators, researchers, and cooking instructors. After achieving the high standard of 80% in CSNN’s intensive Natural Nutrition Diploma program and national exam, CSNN graduates are encouraged to continue their education by taking CSNN’s Advanced Holistic Nutrition workshops and apprenticing with CAHNPro (www.cahnpro.org). CAHNPro, an association for the advancement of holistic nutritionists, maintains standards for the profession through its research studies, apprenticeship program, and upgrading requirements for continued board certification. CSNN graduates who have completed workshops AN106 Introduction to Herbs & AN109 Laboratory Diagnosis and Tests of the CSNN Advanced Holistic Nutrition program are eligible to sit for the U.S National Association of Nutrition Professionals (NANP) board exam.

In the self regulated holistic nutrition industry, several other organizations offer designations and services. It is the belief of CSNN that a true professional designation should only arise through having a clear scope of practice and through passing qualifying examinations. The professional designation and scope of practice of CSNN graduates, CSNN believes, is better fostered by alignment with associations that have credible standards and that offer genuine opportunities for holistic nutritionists. This allows the holistic nutrition industry to be well served and to thrive, for the benefit of our communities.

*Please note that the title, Registered Holistic Nutritionist™, is exclusively for CSNN Graduates.

 

Appendix A

Code of Ethics for an R.H.N. Registered Holistic Nutritionist™

The Canadian School of Natural Nutrition has as its mission the education of the individual in the principles of holistic health care and the principles of natural nutrition, to further the well-being of people and the healing of planet Earth. To this end, a graduate of CSNN as a holistic nutritionist/holistic nutritional consultant agrees to:

Maintain an interest in the well-being of all human beings, regardless of colour, creed or nationality, and in the care of planet Earth.

Respect the right of his/her client as an individual in all respects, as to personal tastes, morals and social values.

Be non-judgmental as to the life values and experience of the client.

Treat the client under all circumstances with due concern for the dignity of the individual.

Respect the confidential nature of his/her relationship with the client and protect the confidentiality of assessments and recorded documents.

Guide and counsel his/her client in the best way to achieve optimal health through natural nutrition, but always respect the right and need for the client to make the final decision in all wellness plans.

Teach the client to accept responsibility for his/her own health choices and actions.

Accept full responsibility for the consequences of his/her own acts.

Provide professional services only in those areas in which s/he has competence and training.

Recognize the need to work co-operatively with other disciplines, holistic or allopathic, to best serve the client’s need, respecting the unique contribution of each discipline.

Respect differences of opinion and exercise tact and diplomacy in interpersonal relations.

Resolve to improve and maintain his/her professional competence in the field of natural nutrition and holistic health care.

Appendix B

Scope of Practice of a R.H.N. Registered Holistic Nutritionist™

The services offered by a Registered Holistic Nutritionist (R.H.N.) are grounded in the following principles:

1. Acknowledgement that each person is biochemically distinct and has unique nutritional needs.

2. Awareness of the meaning of holistic nutrition, the interrelationship of mind, body and spirit, and the importance of addressing these interactive factors which are unique to each individual.

3. Promotion of whole, locally grown and organic foods; sustainable farming practices; and the necessity of living in a non-toxic environment.

4. Understanding that prevention and self-responsibility are fundamental to any successful health care program.

5. Recognition that supplementation is not a substitute for wholesome, nutritious foods but that it may be helpful in recommended form, dose and frequency.

6. Respect for clients, their wellness goals, and for their personal tastes, morals, social, and life values.

7. Acceptance of the unique contribution of other health care providers, and the need to work co-operatively with them regardless of their discipline, holistic or allopathic.

8. The main services provided by an R.H.N.™ include the following:

Document client’s goals, needs, and plans; evaluate a client’s food selection, preparation and intake; evaluate client’s lifestyle and overall feeling of well-being; Evaluate client’s use of dietary supplements; Identify client’s nutritional imbalance(s) and lifestyle habits; work with other health care professionals, if applicable, in order to determine all nutritional and lifestyle-changing needs of the client, including referring client to other health care professionals as deemed appropriate; support the progress of client’s health goals by creating an individualized wellness program, which will include the use of whole, nutrient-dense foods, menu plans, natural source supplements, and lifestyle modifications, and include the use of non-toxic environmentally friendly household/personal products; provide further guidance to the client, if necessary, by explaining food labels, and by offering food preparation techniques and shopping tips, guide client in the implementation of a long-term personal health plan, provide education when necessary, and offer ongoing assessments; monitor client’s personal health plan in order to reinforce participation in the achievement of the health goals; act as a community educator to the public and to other health care professionals by developing curriculum, preparing manuals, writing articles, publishing books, and teaching; promote health discussions in schools, workplaces, and community agencies; bring holistic nutrition knowledge, principles, and philosophy to other professions.