Nutritional Therapy in San Diego and Online
Have you tried all the cookie-cutter health plans, DIY “cleanses”, and seen multiple doctors... yet nothing seems to work for you?
Nutritional Therapy in San Diego and Online
Have you tried all the cookie-cutter health plans, DIY “cleanses”, and seen multiple doctors... yet nothing seems to work for you?
Gut.
HEAL YOUR GUT and experience optimal health and digestion!
Hormones.
BALANCE YOUR HORMONES and eliminate any unwanted symptoms!
Fatigue.
RECLAIM YOUR ENERGY and live your life to the fullest!
Gut.
HEAL YOUR GUT and experience optimal health and digestion!
Hormones.
BALANCE YOUR HORMONES and eliminate any unwanted symptoms!
Fatigue.
RECLAIM YOUR ENERGY and live your life to the fullest!
Nutritional Therapy is focused on you… the whole, real, thriving YOU!
Nutritional Therapy is a holistic, individualized approach to help people feel their absolute best through implementing natural dietary and lifestyle recommendations. This type of work helps to educate clients on why they are experiencing symptoms in the first place, and empower them to take the steps toward long-lasting overall wellness. Functional nutrition is not a “band aid” approach and does not give clients medications to manage their symptoms; rather, it digs deep to discover the root cause of the symptoms and determine why the body is out of balance in the first place. Every client gets a custom plan created by their nutritional therapist and tailored specifically for their body, as there is no “one-size-fits-all” approach.
Who is Nutritional Therapy For?
If you are struggling with physical symptoms such as digestive issues, hormonal imbalances, fatigue, headaches/chronic pain, or brain fog… seeing a nutritional therapist could be incredibly beneficial for you. If you have been unable to fix these symptoms on your own (or through the help of doctors, online searches, or other do-it-yourself programs), then functional nutrition is for you. Nutritional therapy can also be helpful for people that just want to develop a healthier relationship with food, and/or are unsure of how to feel their best and achieve optimal wellness.
What To Expect In A Nutritional Counseling Session?
When we begin nutritional counseling I always start by meeting with clients for a full health history assessment. We will explore your health goals, current symptoms, and current dietary and lifestyle patterns. I want to learn all about you and how I can best support you. After our first session, I will put together your plan which includes dietary recommendations, as well as recommendations for sleep, hydration, stress-management, non-toxic living, and targeted supplementation. From there, we are in communication throughout our time working together. Follow-up sessions focus on discussing areas of progress and improvement, as well as troubleshooting any potential areas you may be struggling with and providing you with support.
Sarah Lawley Chernick, FNTP, RWP
Hi, My name is Sarah and it is my passion to help you reclaim your health! I am a Functional Nutritional Therapy Practitioner (FNTP), Restorative Wellness Practitioner (RWP), and Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT). I also have a Masters degree in Psychology, so I am very well-versed in the importance of addressing the mind-body connection. I spent years struggling with my own physical and mental health issues. Digestive troubles, hormonal imbalances, anxiety, PMS, PCOS, chronic pain, brain fog, mood swings, headaches…you name it, I’ve had it! After years of going to doctor after doctor and nobody really being able to help me heal these problems for good, I decided to take matters into my own hands. I truly never imagined that I could feel this good, and I have Nutritional Therapy to thank for that.
As a Nutritional Therapist I Focus On
Gut Health
The way that our digestion is functioning is a very important indicator for the health of our body as a whole. Many studies have now been done showing the strong correlation between gut health and our immune system, as well as gut health and our mental health. Many hormonal imbalances also stem from underlying gut issues. When healing chronic health issues, gut health is always where we start in nutritional counseling. Dealing with ongoing digestive issues can be very uncomfortable and may make it feel difficult to get through the day.
Bloating / Gas
Do you feel bloated or experience gas throughout the day? Perhaps you feel uncomfortable in your clothes or in your body, and are unsure of how to fix this issue. Your nutritional therapist can help you decrease or eliminate these unwanted symptoms naturally.
Constipation / Diarrhea
Do you experience irregular bowel movements? Whether you are struggling with constipation, loose stools, cramping, abdominal pain, or more – all of it can be very uncomfortable and debilitating. Nutritional therapy can aid in the process of achieving optimal digestion.
Heartburn / Acid Reflux
Are you tired of experiencing heartburn or having to take an antacid after most of your meals? The conventional approach to treating heartburn/acid reflux is to take medication and limit certain foods; but through functional nutrition, our goal is to decrease/eliminate heartburn naturally.
Food Sensitivities
Do you feel limited in what you can eat, without your stomach feeling upset? Perhaps certain foods make you feel bloated, gassy, nauseous, or overcome with brain fog. In nutritional counseling, our goal is to naturally heal the gut and support the digestive system, so that you are able to enjoy a variety of foods without experiencing these symptoms.
IBS
“Irritable Bowel Syndrome”, or IBS, refers to a condition in which one may experience abdominal pain,bloating, gas, constipation, and/or diarrhea. The cause of IBS is not well understood, and the diagnosis can be chronic if left unaddressed. Nutritional therapy can help rid you of these uncomfortable symptoms, thus saying “goodbye” to your IBS for good!
Nausea
Do you experience intermittent or ongoing nausea throughout the day? Nausea can be due to a variety of reasons such as poor fat digestion, low stomach acid, underlying gut infections, overgrowths or lack of sufficient enzymes needed to properly break down food. Your nutritional counselor can help you determine the cause of your nausea and provide support to address it naturally.
Hormone Balance
Our hormones are all interrelated, and it is very important to support the body towards hormonal balance in order to feel our best. When hormones are imbalanced, we may experience negative symptoms impacting our mood, energy levels, skin, libido, fertility, and more. As your Nutritional Therapy Practitioner, I will help you determine if you are experiencing a hormonal imbalance, as well as how we can support your body to come back into balance and rid you of any unwanted symptoms below.
PMS
Many women experience symptoms around the time of their menstrual cycle that can have a dramatically negative impact on the quality of their life. Some common premenstrual symptoms (PMS) include cramping, mood swings, hormonal acne, fatigue, and more. Just because these symptoms are “common” does not mean that they are normal – and they do not have to be your normal.
Irregular Periods
A “regular” period is defined as a menstrual cycle that occurs roughly at the same time every month, but can vary between 21-35 days, depending on the individual. Some women experience periods that are shorter than 21 days, longer than 35 days, or are just generally sporadic and random. Some women also may experience anovulatory cycles, which means that you are not ovulating – which is necessary to conceive a child.
PCOS
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal disorder that can cause a variety of potential symptoms, including: irregular or absent periods, anovulatory cycles (lack of ovulation), increased androgen hormones, acne, excess hair growth, weight gain, mood swings, and more. The cause of PCOS may be due to genetics, lifestyle/environmental factors, underlying gut issues, or hormonal imbalances.
Amenorrhea (Missing Periods)
Has your period gone missing? If you are no longer getting your menstrual cycle (and are not on any form of birth control), that is your body’s way of telling you that something is out of balance. Conventional medicine recommends just taking a hormonal birth control pill in these scenarios in order to “regulate” your period. However, hormonal birth control pills manipulate hormones – they do not actually regulate your natural hormone balance. Nutritional counseling has the potential to help you naturally regain your missing period, without medications or side effects.
Mood Swings
If hormones are not balanced, women may experience mood swings. These can occur either around the time of their menstrual cycle, or ongoing throughout the month. Oftentimes it may feel as if the mood swings are out of their control, feel very powerful, and occur abruptly and suddenly. It is common for mood swings to feel this way when hormones are involved, as hormones are very powerful drivers of our overall mood, energy levels, vitality, and more. You can find relief from these rapid mood swings by balancing your hormones through functional nutrition.
Skin Issues / Acne
Hormonal imbalances can lead to intermittent or ongoing acne and skin issues. Skin issues are often largely tied to impaired gut health as well, which is why we always want to address gut health and hormone health simultaneously in holistic nutrition. Nutritional counseling will help you transition to a way of living and eating that can support clear, glowing, vibrant skin.
Fatigue
It is so difficult to get through the day, complete our responsibilities, and show up as the person we want to be if we are feeling tired all of the time. Fatigue is such a “common” symptom in our society today, and many people struggle with it. However, even though it is “common” does not mean it is “normal”. Ongoing fatigue can be due to a variety of factors such as blood sugar dysregulation, nutrient deficiencies or imbalances, adrenal fatigue, inflammation, food sensitivities, chronic stress, and more.
Brain Fog
Do you find it difficult to focus or concentrate? Are you having trouble accomplishing simple tasks, or maybe even having trouble remembering things? “Brain fog” can cause you to feel less mentally sharp and make everyday activities feel as though they require significantly more effort.
Joint Pain
Do you experience pain in your joints, either during exercise or just overall throughout your day? Joint pain can be due to a variety of causes such as inflammation, fatty acid imbalances, nutrient deficiencies, food sensitivities, and more.
Headaches / Migraines
Do you suffer from headaches or migraines? Oftentimes, these can stem from a variety of internal causes such as inflammation, fatty acid imbalances, nutrient deficiencies, food sensitivities, and more. Functional nutrition can help you decrease/eliminate these aches and pains.
Chronic Stress
Chronic stress is an epidemic in our society today, and can lead to a variety of health issues. Nutritional counseling is a holistic approach that can help you find balance in your life – not just physically, but emotionally/mentally as well. Decreasing stress is a key goal in working with your nutritional therapist. I take a holistic approach to wellness, I am trauma-informed, and understand that the mind-body connection is incredibly strong and must be addressed and supported for overall healing.
Anxiety / Depression
The status of our gut/hormone health are largely related to the status of our mental health. If there are underlying gut/hormonal imbalances, it can be common to also experience anxiety or depression. Struggling with chronic health issues in general may cause one to feel anxious or depressed and I understand what this feels like having overcome it myself. Although nutritional therapy is not the same as psychotherapy, I am here to support you as you strive for optimal wellness in all areas of your physical and emotional health.
Food Confusion
Do you feel confused or unsure of which foods to eat in order to feel your best? There are so many sources of health information out there these days, it may feel overwhelming to know who to listen to or how to eat. Nutritional counseling can help you determine a way of eating that feels nourishing for both your body and your soul. My goal is to help clients eat in a way that makes them feel satisfied, fulfilled, and full of energy.
You May Have Some Questions About Seeing A Nutritional Therapist...
What is the difference between a nutritionist and a nutritional therapist?
A nutritionist can be helpful for creating meal plans for clients, and/or supporting them to make positive dietary changes. Though a nutritional therapist does this as well, it is a much more holistic approach. In nutritional therapy, the goal is to provide dietary recommendations while also helping clients to decrease any unwanted physical symptoms and find balance in physical and emotional areas of their lives.
What does a nutritional therapist do?
A nutritional therapist helps clients feel their absolute best through implementing individualized and natural dietary and lifestyle recommendations. We help to educate clients on why they are experiencing symptoms in the first place, and empower them to take the steps toward long-lasting overall wellness. We also serve in the role of a “health coach”, in order to provide support and help hold you accountable towards reaching your health goals.
What happens in a nutrition consultation?
A nutrition consultation willI always begin by learning about a client’s full health history – including their past/current dietary and lifestyle patterns, any symptoms they are experiencing, as well as health goals that they would like to accomplish. Once we have determined your health plan, we will continue to follow-up to discuss areas of progress and improvement, as well as troubleshooting any potential areas you may be struggling with to provide you with support.
What does a nutritional counselor do?
A nutritional counselor helps educate clients on natural dietary and lifestyle changes they can take in order to feel their best. We help clients make positive changes that feel sustainable and help them to find balance in their lives. These positive changes can help to decrease physical symptoms, all while helping an individual improve their digestion, optimize their energy, balance their hormones, and more.
What is a functional nutritional therapy practitioner?
A Functional Nutritional Therapy Practitioner (FNTP) has completed the designated program through the Nutritional Therapy Association and has been granted this title. FNTPs make nutritional recommendations for balancing the body and promoting optimal wellness. FNTPs do not diagnose or treat disease. FNTPs utilize Nutritional Therapy to encourage people to become knowledgeable about and responsible for their health. An FNTP helps individuals reach their optimal level of overall health by bringing balance to the body in a holistic way – including dietary changes, optimizing sleep, and implementing adequate hydration, movement, and stress-management into one’s life.
Testimonials
"When I started working with Sarah, I came with a whole host of digestive issues that I was dealing with - along with intense PMS, stress, and anxiety. I was eager to make changes, but I didn't know where to start. What caught me about working with Sarah was how simple yet PROFOUND a lot of the things she was teaching me were! She provides you with a personalized plan that works exactly for you and your body. It is hyper-personalized because she understands that health is not a "one-size-fits-all" approach. My program was absolutely life-changing. Sarah helped me heal not only my physical symptoms, but I was also able to heal my relationship with food! Something that took 27 years to develop, I was able to reverse in 3 months. My skin has cleared up, all of my digestive issues improved, my PMS is non-existent, I built up confidence within myself, and my stress and anxiety are now at the lowest they are have EVER been. Sarah is one of the best people that you could ever possibly choose to work with. She has compassion, she's smart, knows what she is talking about, helpful, and will be there to guide you every step of the way with no judgment."
Kayla M.3 Month Online Coaching
"Before working with Sarah, I was struggling with my period to the extreme. I was regularly having PMS symptoms for 10-12 days prior to the start date of my period. The mood swings were the worst part and affected many of my relationships. I was constantly having heartburn, acid reflux, and I felt nauseous a lot of the time. I’d been known for always carrying Tums by my family and friends. Now from working with Sarah, I’ve combatted the crazy 10-12 days of PMS prior to my period. I don’t get symptoms that early anymore! I’m still working on improving my cramps, but I haven’t had a period where I felt like I was dying since working with her which is huge for me! I don’t have the daily nausea, heartburn, and acid reflux anymore which feels amazing. Overall, my mood is more stable, and I have more energy. I didn’t know change was possible until I came across Sarah on social media and started reading through her posts and seeing the progress other women were making. She was the first nutritionist I spoke with, and we had a connection right away so I knew I didn’t need to look elsewhere. I immediately felt comfortable talking to her, and I finally felt heard when I shared my struggles."
Quin G.3 Month Online Coaching
“Sarah is knowledgeable and passionate, from the moment I spoke to her I felt like I could tell her everything without feeling judged. Thank you so much for finding passion in making people feel beautiful, comfortable and healthy in their own bodies. Thank you for not having a one-size-fits-all plan, and for catering to my unique needs and issues. Since working with Sarah, I realized that I do have an appetite! I actually love to eat meat, we healed my gut, and I learned that I really love nutrition. This is a lot for someone who used to wish for a magic fix in order to not have to deal with eating. My mood is more stable and I look better, healthier, stronger. ”
Sara O.3 Month Online Coaching
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Are ready to say goodbye to your digestive issues, hormonal imbalances, and fatigue once and for all?
