About the Institute for Integrative Nutrition
I am currently enrolled at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition where I am being trained as a professional Holistic Health Coach. The Institute for Integrative Nutrition is the world’s largest nutrition school and part of the State University of New York. IIN is famous for being revolutionary and progressive in it’s teachings methods and theories and embodies the future of nutrition.
The school offers the world’s leading Health Coach Training Program™ and teaches over 100 dietary theories, practical lifestyle management techniques, and cutting-edge coaching methods. By integrating various dietary theories and focusing on lifestyle as primary nutrition I am equipped to look at a person’s individual needs instead of focusing on one way of eating which may not be right for everyone.
About My Approach
I practice a holistic approach to health and wellness, which means that I look at how all areas of your life are connected. Does stress at your job or in your relationship cause you to overeat? Does lack of sleep or low energy prevent you from exercising? As we work together, we will look at how all parts of your life affect your health as a whole. My approach is not to dwell on calories, carbs, fats, and proteins. It is not to create lists of restrictions or good and bad foods. Instead, I work with my clients to create a happy, healthy life in a way that is flexible, fun and rewarding.
Together we’ll work to reach your health goals in areas such as achieving optimal weight, reducing food cravings, increasing sleep quality, and maximizing energy. As we work together, you’ll develop a deeper understanding of the food and lifestyle choices that work best for you and implement lasting changes that will improve your energy, balance and health.
Here are some concepts that reflect my health philoshopy and that I integrate in my coaching methods:
Bio-individuality: The concept of bio-individuality is that each person has unique food and lifestyle needs. One person’s food is another person’s poison, and that’s why fad diets tend to fail in the long run. Working on the principle of bio-individuality, I’ll support you to make positive changes that are based on your unique body, needs, lifestyle, preferences, and health history. I use a personalized, holistic approach to ensure that you will find a way of eating that suits your body.
Primary Food: It’s easy to focus on just the foods and overlook all of the other things that contribute to our sense of nourishment and fulfillment. It’s not just the food we eat, but all of the other factors present in our daily lives. Healthy relationships, a fulfilling career, regular physical activity and a spiritual practice are essential forms of nourishment. When these “primary foods” are balanced, what you eat becomes secondary (and a lot easier!). I will support you in achieving all of your goals, from eating the right foods for your body to living an inspired, fulfilling life.
Deconstructing Cravings: Many people believe cravings are a problem, but cravings play a critical role in understanding what the body needs. I will help you understand why you habitually crave certain foods, like chocolate, french fries or coffee, and guide you step for step in to overcoming your unhealthy cravings and replace them with healthier alternatives.
Crowding Out: Most nutritionists give their clients a list of foods to avoid, which explains why so many people are turned off by dietitians. Crowding out adds more healthy food to your diet rather than cutting back on the foods you enjoy. I advocate adding as much healthy foods as possible over a period of time, gradually replacing the foods that rob you of energy and vitality.
Food Energetics: All food has distinct qualities and energetic properties that affect your body depending on where, when and how it’s grown and prepared. What effect does eating meat have on our body? Organic versus non-organic? Sweet or sour fruits? We will discuss different foods and how growing conditions affect the way you feel.
Food/Mood Connection: Scientific research and personal experience both demonstrate that what we eat affects how we think, feel and act. I will give you the tools so you can fully understand why you feel a certain way after eating a certain food, or even why making over your diet can mean making over your life!
Superfoods: Certain foods are powerful enough to help you lower cholesterol, reduce your risk of heart disease and cancer, and improve your mood, energy and stamina. You will learn about the powerful, antioxidant rich fruits, vegetables and whole grains that will boost your health, improve your mood and promote longevity.
At the moment I am only working with a small, select group of clients at reduced rates to gain experience and develop a coaching style that works best for me as well as my future clients. If you are interested in working with me through my 3 or 6 month program, please contact me at sabine.spaargaren @ gmail.com and tell me why you would like to work with me, and what your goals are. I will discuss with you whether or not we would be a good match and if so, I will put you on my list and contact you when I am ready to take on more clients (this will be around May/June 2012).
