FAQ About Integrative and Functional Nutrition Counseling, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist in North Carolina
An integrative and functional dietitian nutritionist uses an approach to healthcare that actually makes you healthier. Our practitioners have additional training and experience in this approach, which has three core features: we find and address root causes of chronic pain, digestive disorders, weight loss and weight management challenges, hormone imbalances, and other medical conditions; we acknowledge and understand the inter-connectedness of separate body systems; and we provide individualized nutrition plans to treat your medical condition and help you meet your wellness goals. Ultimately, our dietary plans are not only scientifically accurate, but also are realistic, sustainable, and enjoyable for you to implement. The combination of precision medicine with expert nutrition counseling and realistic plans is what we find creates the best possible outcomes for you.
If you’re fed up with a medical approach that leaves you with a drug prescription and few answers, we’re a good fit for you. Precision and functional medicine can be a life-changing alternative for people with most chronic medical challenges. However, this approach from medical doctors is typically very expensive. With nutrition, our team of experts in dietetics, nutrition coaching, and dietary clinicians can provide effective outcomes in a more comprehensive and cost-effective setting.
Anyone can call themselves a nutritionist. However, a RD/RDN has an accredited college degree in clinical nutrition, a 1200-hour clinical internship, and has passed a board exam in clinical nutrition. The RDN is the only truly medical nutrition credential in the United States, with the exception of Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS) in some states. RDNs are also required to maintain their medical license by earning ongoing, approved continuing education in clinical nutrition.
In North Carolina, RDNs must additionally earn a license (LDN) in order to practice. LDNs are the ONLY nutritionists who are legally allowed to give individualized nutrition advice in North Carolina. Thus, if you are getting individualized nutrition advice from a gym, a chiropractor, or a friend, that individual is practicing illegally, and may pose a risk to you. You can learn more about nutrition licensure in North Carolina from the North Carolina Board of Dietetics and Nutrition: https://www.ncbdn.org/.
Yes! The vision of Empowered Nutrition, a group of Registered and Licensed Dietitian Nutritionists who have training in Integrative and Functional Nutrition, is to make precision healthcare more accessible, using an insurance-based model. Our cash fees are also very reasonable. You can learn more about our insurance and fees HERE.
How do I check my insurance coverage?
We recommend checking your insurance benefits for nutrition (medical nutrition therapy/MNT), even if you are insured by a company that we are in network with. This is because MNT benefits vary by plan, even within the same insurance company. You are responsible for uncovered visits, so it’s wise to know your benefits! Learn how to check your benefits from our INSURANCE & FEES PAGE.
Yes, we provide both online and in-person appointments via our secure tele-health platform and in-person nutrition consultations from our clinic in Moore County, NC (link to contacts). If you are using insurance for medical nutrition therapy, check to make sure your plan includes virtual appointments in order to receive coverage.
If you’d like to discuss working together, you can schedule a free chemistry call with us HERE, to connect with one of our expert Dietitian Nutritionists and Integrative Functional Nutrition Certified Practitioners. Alternatively, you can book your nutrition appointment directly by sending a message or giving us a call. Get those details from our CONTACT PAGE.
When it’s time to schedule your first nutrition appointment, we will pair you with the right Dietitian Nutritionist on our team to help you meet your medical nutrition and wellness goals. We send you secure forms from our electronic medical record. These forms will include our detailed intake, an eating disorder screening, policy agreements, and a secure credit card form. We never run your card without your permission, and not until after our visit.
Our average, visit spacing is monthly at first, after setting individualized nutrition goals and meal plans with your personal Dietitian Nutritionist. Then, we typically can space out the visits as you approach your wellness goal. Visit spacing is re-assessed at each consultation.
Our initial nutrition consultation is 75 minutes and follow-up appointments are 60 minutes. In addition to messaging via our patient portal, short, 15-minute appointments are also available if the need arises for a short discussion with your nutritionist.