Course Descriptions

Natural Nutrition Diploma Program
Course Descriptions

Curriculum is continually updated to include cutting edge science and new practical tools. In addition to the curriculum, students must complete the necessary amount of Practicals and Live Case Studies.

For more information about our Flexible Learning Formats, click here . We recommend you contact your preferred branch if you have any questions.

Watch an overview from our Curriculum Coordinator here.

If you are a member of canfitpro and looking to earn CECs, check out the approved courses here. Available online at CSNN Distance Education or at select CSNN branches via Zoom. We recommend you contact your preferred branch to learn more.

MODULE 1

NN101A Fundamentals of Nutrition (Part 1) | 21 hours

This course offers a comprehensive overview of the field of nutrition, which expands the link between nutrition and prevention of health illnesses. The course explains the role of macronutrients, vitamins and minerals, and the importance of water to overall health. It introduces the importance of proper digestion to one’s health and how certain dietary habits undermine health and provides suggestions for overcoming these habits. It looks at the effect of pollution on our health and the health of our planet.

NN101B Fundamentals of Nutrition (Part 2) | 15 hours

With a diet of high nutritional quality, we can support life at every stage. This course explains the ten key components of a healthy diet and discusses the changing nutritional needs of various age groups during growth and development. Students also learn about specific body imbalances such as fatigue, immunity, weight management and which nutrition helps these imbalances plus the health benefits of and basic guidelines detoxification.

NN102 Anatomy & Physiology | 30 hours

Anatomy and Physiology gives a general overview of the twelve body systems, explaining the structure and shape of the body and its parts as well as the relationship among them. This course covers the physiological processes by which these body systems operate. Students learn the unique structure and function of the five senses.

NN103A Nutritional Symptomatology | 30 hours

Nutritional Symptomatology is a valuable science used to assess nutritional deficiencies and imbalances. This course will address nutritional imbalances as they affect the body systems. Students will be introduced to the effective use of assessment tools to identify nutritional imbalances, explore the nutritional measures recommended to rebalance the body and help reduce the risk of illness, and write client case study reports in a professional manner.

MODULE 2

NN103B Motivational Interview Skills | 10.5 hours

This course introduces students to Motivational Interviewing (MI)—an approach to support clients in achieving positive behaviour change when addressing their health challenges. This course presents the background philosophy and components of Motivational Interviewing and outlines techniques to apply the principles when conducting holistic nutritional consultations. Students will receive resources and practice opportunities for integrating MI into the practice of holistic nutrition.

NN104A Hormone Health | 18 hours

The stress of modern-day life has led to an epidemic of hormonal imbalances resulting in low energy, mood issues and carrying extra weight. This course explains the connection between the body’s different hormones, certain health issues and the steps needed to reset the body’s hormones to get back to feeling vibrant and joyful.

NN105A Body-Mind-Spirit – The Mind Connection | 18 hours

This course provides comprehensive evidence that nutrition plays an important role in maintaining optimal mental health and is a major component to address many common mental health problems. This course introduces key factors that influence mental health such as chrononutrition, blood sugar, food sensitivities, inflammation, and methylation. Students also learn the relationship between the microbiome-gut-brain axis and the critical role it plays in brain development, behavior, and mental health throughout life.

NN105B Body-Mind-Spirit – The Spirit Connection | 15 hours

This courses teaches about the connections between physical disease and emotional, psychological and/or spiritual themes. This course will help to understand how patterns in our life can affect us, not only on an emotional level but also a physical one, and that recognizing and healing those patterns can lead to better health. Students also learn how to integrate these themes into a nutritional practice and how to evolve their own personal spiritual journey. 

NN106 Fundamentals of Business | 12 hours

This course provides students with the information necessary to seek gainful employment or to legally set-up, market and conduct a thriving private practice. It helps them identify personal and career goals and to understand the laws, regulations and codes that govern this industry.

MODULE 3

NN107A Biochemistry & Epigenetics | 21 hours

This course teaches the basic understanding of chemical processes that underlie biological functions, starting with atomic structure, chemical symbols, and the periodic table, and culminating in genetics and epigenetics. It explores the chemistry of living things; the metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids and proteins, the biochemical processes of various functions of the human body, including radicals, antioxidants, mitochondrial dysfunction, cellular replication, and the new science of epigenetics that shows how lifestyle and diet can change genetic expression.

NN109 Pathology & Nutrition | 27 hours

The Pathology and Nutrition course presents common pathological disorders and conditions that systematically stress their body systems, discuss underlying causes, and recommend nutritional strategies where appropriate. Students are able to describe the categories of pathologies and their effects on the major organ systems. They can translate pathological terms into common language and recognize specific pathologies from case histories and make nutritional recommendations based on their assessment.

NN110A Lifecycle Nutrition – Pediatric | 12 hours

The Pediatric course presents information on how to conceive and raise a healthy child in today’s world – a world in which our children’s health is declining at an alarming rate. Children’s nutritional needs and challenges differ from adults and require a unique approach. Students learn dietary, supplementation, and lifestyle recommendations from pre-conception, through pregnancy, birth, and breastfeeding to raising healthy school-age children. This course also discusses ways to naturally manage allergies and food sensitivities, to establishing a healthy intestinal microbiome, healthy weight, the picky eater, the GAPS protocol and much more.

NN110B Lifecycle Nutrition – Sports | 12 hours

This course provides scientifically based information on the relationship between nutrition and sports performance. It covers topics such as how food is used for energy, the importance of each macronutrient (carbohydrates, protein, and fat) in fueling an athlete, proper hydration, sports supplements, and ergogenic aids, as well as how to calculate optimal caloric and macronutrient requirements specific to individual athletes and their goals. In addition, recommendations for plant-based, younger, and master athletes to the competitive athlete. Students also learn how gut health impacts performance and the importance of nutrition for recovery.

NN110C Lifecycle Nutrition – Perspectives on Aging | 9 hours

This course presents well researched information emphasizing three tools known to promote longevity and health: (1) a simple, wholesome diet, (2) a daily exercise routine, and (3) the cultivation of strong, loving personal relationships. This course also provides key factors related to cognitive decline as we age and specific nutrition to support cognitive function. 

MODULE 4

NN111 Eco-Nutrition | 12 hours

This course provides insight into the environmental effects of the current profit-driven, corporate, industrial system of food production. Understand the links between corporate industrial agriculture, traditional mixed farming, the microbiome of the soil, and health. This course discusses topics such as food security, GMOs, hidden costs of producing cheap food and sustainability with our food chain when feeding the world’s population. Students also learn the impact of having a carbon footprint and how Regenerative Agriculture and carbon sinks can reduce this footprint. 

NN112 Allergies | 15 hours

Globally, allergies are greatly on the increase. This course will present ‘the allergy epidemic’ as our bodies’ response to living in a polluted environment and a world full of processed fast food; and provide tools to strengthen the body’s immune and digestive systems in order to reduce the risk of developing allergies, and transform health.

NN114 Nutritional Literature Research | 10.5 hours

This course teaches students (1) the importance of being evidence-based and science-driven, (2) how to find research, (3) how to read, critique, and ultimately understand research and (4) how to apply research and communicate it to clients and the public in a credible and approachable way.

NN115 Introduction to the Practical Use of Herbs | 14 hours

This general interest course is designed to (1) introduce the properties of commonly used plants and herbs in the kitchen; (2) discuss common culinary herbs for general use and health issues, and how herbs can be incorporated for prevention of health disorders; (3) learn about harvesting, herbal making techniques, and the importance of sustainable practices for the health of our planet; (4) explain how to prepare teas and infusions for common use.

Additional Requirements

In addition to regular classroom instruction of the courses above, each student must complete a minimum of 50 hours of mandatory practicals, out of approximately 100 hours offered to students. Students must also complete 10 live case studies in order to successfully complete the program.

Practicals

Note: Some branches may use different terminology to refer to practicals, such as practicums and co-requisites.

The main focus of practicals is case study work, including follow-up case studies. Practical work is completed under the supervision of a qualified Holistic Nutrition professional through the presentation of case studies, role-playing, group studies, and lectures by guest speakers.

For more information and sample topics, please visit the Practicals page.

Live Case Studies

This is the clinical component of the Natural Nutrition Program. These are real-life case studies, using comprehensive intake forms to examine all internal and external factors affecting a person’s nutritional health and wellbeing.

For more information, please visit the Case Studies page.