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Book an Appointment
Client Portal

Functional & Integrative Nutrition Coaching

Dried herbs, gingko leaves, and supplement pills, Integrative and functional nutrition

Evidence-Based Functional & Integrative Nutrition Care

Functional and integrative nutrition takes a whole-person approach to health, recognizing that nutrition is just one piece of the puzzle. By considering your medical history, symptoms, laboratory data, lifestyle, sleep, stress, movement, and nutrition, we work to better understand the factors influencing your health. Whether you’re navigating an autoimmune condition, addressing micronutrient deficiencies, reviewing specialized laboratory testing, including hormone, nutrient, metabolic, and gut health testing, or looking for guidance on supplements and lifestyle changes, we’ll help you understand how these pieces fit together and create a personalized plan that supports your long-term health.

Integrative and functional nutrition may be helpful if…

  • You’re told your lab work is within normal limits, but you’re still experiencing symptoms
  • You’re concerned about nutrient deficiencies
  • You’re confused by your lab results and would like to understand the findings better
  • You need help creating a supplement plan
  • You have an autoimmune condition
  • You’d like to live a healthier lifestyle, but don’t know where to start
  • You’re interested in functional lab testing, such as hormone, nutrient, or gut microbiome testing

Functional and integrative nutrition coaching can provide support for…

You don’t have to figure it out alone.

We believe whole body health is achieved when you combine:

nutrition + science + lifestyle + mindset + energy + movement

Let’s discuss how our approach can help you.

Book a 20-Minute Complimentary Consultation

Frequently Asked Questions

What is functional and integrative nutrition?

Functional and integrative nutrition looks at the whole picture, not just individual symptoms. We consider your health history, nutrition, lifestyle, sleep, stress, lab work, and medical conditions to better understand the factors influencing your health and create an individualized care plan.

Do I need supplements?

Not necessarily. Supplements can be helpful in certain situations, but they're not the foundation of good nutrition. We only recommend supplements when they're clinically appropriate and individualized to your needs.

Do I need functional lab testing?

Not necessarily. We recommend functional or conventional lab testing only when it's clinically appropriate. Many clients make significant progress through nutrition and lifestyle changes alone, while others benefit from additional testing to better understand what's contributing to their symptoms.

Can you work with my physician?

Yes. With your permission, we're happy to collaborate with your primary care provider or specialists to help coordinate your care.

Will you review lab work from my physician?

Yes. We're happy to review laboratory results ordered by your physician and explain how they relate to your nutrition, health goals, and overall care plan.

How do I know if specialized lab testing is right for me?

Not everyone needs specialized testing. We begin with a comprehensive nutrition assessment and review your symptoms, medical history, and any previous lab work. If additional testing may provide information that helps guide your care, we'll discuss your options and explain why we recommend it.

Will my insurance cover specialized laboratory testing?

In most cases, specialized laboratory testing is not covered by insurance. We'll review the expected costs, discuss whether testing is appropriate for your situation, and explore available alternatives before recommending any tests.

Will you review the lab work I already have?

Yes. We review both recent and past laboratory results as part of your nutrition assessment. Whenever possible, we use existing information before recommending additional testing.

Will I receive a personalized plan after my results are available?

Yes. Testing is only one piece of the picture. We'll review your results together, explain what they may mean in the context of your overall health, and develop personalized nutrition, lifestyle, and supplement recommendations based on your individual needs.

What's the difference between conventional lab work and specialized nutrition testing?

Conventional blood work provides valuable information about your overall health and is often the first place we start. In some situations, specialized laboratory testing may offer additional information that helps personalize your nutrition recommendations. We'll help determine whether additional testing is appropriate based on your health history and goals.

Do you recommend supplements based on lab results?

When appropriate, yes. Supplement recommendations are individualized and based on your laboratory results, nutrition intake, medical history, medications, and health goals. We focus on recommending only what is clinically appropriate-not adding supplements you don't need.

What is your process for taking on new clients?

Clients can book a free 20-minute discovery call to discuss their unique nutritional needs and determine if Whole Lifecycle Nutrition is the best fit. Ready to change your life? Book your discovery session here.

What should I expect during my first visit?

Your first appointment is a 60-75 minute initial assessment. We’ll review your medical history, nutrition, lifestyle, goals, lab work, and medications, then begin developing individualized recommendations. Before the appointment ends, we’ll also discuss next steps and schedule your first follow-up visit.

Are you a virtual or in-person nutrition practice?

We see patients virtually all over the country, as well as in person at select locations in Massachusetts. Virtual counseling sessions take place via a HIPAA compliant electronic virtual platform. No traffic, no parking, no stress. Just log in and experience nutrition counseling tailored for you and your family. Jammies are always welcome!

Please note, we see clients in the following states: AZ, CA, CO, FL, IN, MA, MI, NH, RI, VA, VT

How long are nutrition sessions?

The initial assessment is generally 60-75 minutes, with follow up sessions taking about 45 minutes. We can customize a schedule that fits into your life. Need a 30 minute follow up? How about an hour? This is about your life-changing journey, and we are here to guide and support, which can mean meeting your needs with customized session windows.

How many visits will I need?

Each person's care is tailored to their specific goals and medical complexity. Nutrition counseling works best as an ongoing partnership. We will be able to give you a better idea of the scope and expected timeline after our initial consultation.

The most common course of action includes meeting biweekly to ensure you’re making progress, feeling supported, and receiving the accountability and guidance needed to truly move the needle on your health. These regular check-ins allow us to adjust your plan as needed and continue building on your success.

Do you work with children?

Yes. Our name represents our belief that nutrition should support every season of life. We see infants through adults.

Do you provide meal plans?

We provide individualized recommendations, education, meal ideas, and practical guidance rather than rigid meal plans.

If you are looking for a simple meal plan to get started on your nutrition journey, you can find customized weekly meal plans and grocery lists here.

Do I need a referral?

We do not require a referral to secure our services, however some insurance plans require one.

Please visit our Insurance and Billing page to learn more.

What payment options are available?

We accept credit and debit cards, HSA/FSA, and health insurance.

Do you accept insurance?

Yes. We participate with many major insurance plans. Coverage varies by plan. You can learn more about our health insurance options for nutrition counseling here.

Do I need functional lab testing?

Not necessarily. We recommend functional or conventional lab testing only when it's clinically appropriate. Many clients make significant progress through nutrition and lifestyle changes alone, while others benefit from additional testing to better understand what's contributing to their symptoms.

Can you review my lab work?

We are happy to review lab work within the scope of our nutrition practice. We find lab work can be informative, but not always necessary, to your nutrition plan.

Do you collaborate with my other healthcare providers?

Yes. With your written permission, we're happy to collaborate with your primary care provider, OB/GYN, gastroenterologist, endocrinologist, therapist, psychiatrist, or other members of your healthcare team. We believe the best care happens when providers work together, helping ensure your nutrition plan supports your overall treatment goals.

Do you recommend supplements?

We may recommend supplements when clinically appropriate, using evidence-based lab results and your individual needs.

Learn more about Supplements on our Resources page here.

How is Whole Lifecycle different from other nutrition practices?

We combine evidence-informed integrative and functional nutrition with practical lifestyle strategies to understand the full picture - not just isolated symptoms. Rather than focusing only on what you eat, we also consider hormones, digestion, metabolism, stress physiology, movement, sleep, lab work, and your day-to-day life to create a plan that's personalized, realistic, and sustainable.

What is Integrative & Functional Nutrition?

Integrative and functional nutrition looks beyond individual symptoms to understand how the body's systems work together. We combine clinical nutrition, lifestyle medicine, and, when appropriate, functional testing to better understand the patterns influencing your health. Our goal is to create practical, evidence-informed strategies that support long-term health - not quick fixes or one-size-fits-all plans. This approach focuses on the whole person, not just a diagnosis, and is especially effective for chronic conditions, hormone imbalances, gut issues, and more.

What is Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT)?

Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) is a therapeutic approach to treating medical conditions and their symptoms through a personalized nutrition plan. It’s provided by a registered dietitian and based on clinical evidence, lab results, and your individual health needs. MNT is often used to help manage conditions like diabetes, digestive disorders, heart disease, hormonal imbalances, and more. We use whole food, lifestyle, and supplements as targeted forms of care to return you to optimal health and help you manage your condition.

What is a pediatric dietitian and how can they help?

Our pediatric registered dietitians have expertise in supporting the nutritional needs of infants, children, and adolescents. They help families manage a wide range of concerns—from picky eating, growth delays, and food allergies to digestive issues, nutrient deficiencies, and feeding challenges. They work closely with parents to create realistic, nourishing plans that support healthy development and lifelong habits. Learn more about our Pediatric Nutrition services here.

Dietitian vs. Nutritionist vs. Health Coach - What's the difference?

We know the world of wellness can be confusing. Here’s a quick breakdown of these common titles:

✓ Registered Dietitian (RD or RDN)
Dietitians are licensed healthcare professionals with extensive science-based education and clinical training. Only a RDN is qualified to provide medical nutrition therapy for complex conditions, interpret lab results, create evidence-based therapeutic plans, and work alongside your healthcare team. RDN’s are uniquely trained in human metabolism, disease prevention, and evidence-based dietary interventions. Whether you’re managing a health condition or optimizing wellness, a dietitian offers the most comprehensive, credentialed support available. All dietitians are nutritionists—but not all nutritionists are dietitians.

To earn the RD/RDN credential, one must:

  • Complete a Master’s degree in nutrition or a related field
  • Fulfill at least 1,200 supervised internship hours across clinical nutrition, community nutrition, and foodservice
  • Pass a national board exam
  • Maintain ongoing continuing education

✓ Nutritionist
This title isn’t regulated in many states. Some nutritionists may have formal education, while others may not. Unlike dietitians, they typically aren’t licensed to provide medical nutrition therapy or work with certain health conditions, or provide insurance-reimbursable care.

✓ Health Coach
Health coaches support lifestyle changes and habit-building. They often focus on general wellness, motivation, and accountability—but they do not have the clinical training or licensure to provide medical nutrition guidance or write personalized nutrition protocols.

Why choose our dietitians?
As dietitians trained in integrative and functional nutrition, we combine clinical expertise with a whole-person approach to help you uncover root causes, heal from the inside out, and feel empowered—not just informed.

Ready to see if dietitian nutrition counseling is right for you? Book your free discovery call here.

Hear From Our Past Clients

A W. profile picture
A W.
1 year ago
Rachel has been absolutely amazing. She helped me when I was struggling with multiple issues to see the power of making small, sustainable changes. Any problem I brought up, she would have multiple ways to handle it so I could choose what work work for me and my family.
Gina A. profile picture
Gina A.
1 year ago
Rachel has been a blessing ! Her parental guidance empowered me to be able to support my daughter learning and achieving a healthier nutritional lifestyle🫶 In her words: “Rachel has shown an unbelievable amount of commitment and determination when it came to working on my case. I first started working with her as teen and was (and still am) somewhat of a picky eater. I ate a metric ton of junk food and wasn’t really willing to change my eating habits all too much. With Rachel‘s hard work and dedication to me I was able to slowly expand the kind of food eaten over the past five years and lessen my intake in general. I am in a far healthier space both in body and mind when it comes to food. I am forever grateful for Rachel‘s expert knowledge, kindness, and patience over all these years and look forward to continue working with her!”
Adriana Silva G. profile picture
Adriana Silva G.
1 year ago
Rachel is the absolute best! She will meet you where you are and will work with you at the pace you need to make positive changes towards your health. Her work is trauma informed, culturally sensitive and she just has the best energy! I wish more people in the medical field were like Rachel!
Ellie W. profile picture
Ellie W.
1 year ago
Whole Lifecycle Nutrition is a very knowledgeable group of dietitians that focuses on the women's health from childhood, fertility, pregnancy, postpartum, baby's first foods and allergies, family health, perimenopause, menopause, and beyond! They are easy to work with and so supportive at each part of your life. Definitely recommend!

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