I often get asked about being a Functional Nutritionist—who benefits from working with me, how what I do differs from conventional nutritionists or dieticians, and why it’s such a powerful approach to health for anyone—especially for women in their late 30s, 40s and 50s.
Since I specialize in gut health and helping women navigate hormones during their reproductive years, and peri/menopause, I wanted to share exactly what my approach is, who benefits, and why functional nutrition is the missing piece in most conventional health plans.
What is a Functional Nutritional Therapy Practitioner (FNTP)?
I am certified as a Functional Nutritional Therapy Practitioner (FNTP) through the Nutritional Therapy Association (NTA) and Restorative Wellness Practitioner (RWP), but what does that actually mean?
According to the NTA:
“A Nutritional Therapy Practitioner is a nutritional therapist certified by the NTA to evaluate nutritional needs and make recommendations for dietary changes, helping clients balance body chemistry and achieve optimal wellness. NTPs are not trained to diagnose or treat pathological conditions, injuries, or diseases.”
That’s the technical definition, but let’s break it down:
- I focus on root causes of health imbalances rather than just symptom management
- I use real food, functional testing, targeted nutrients, and lifestyle shifts to help my clients restore balance to their body’s core systems
- I specialize in hormone health, gut health, and blood sugar balance, because these are the key players in a smooth menopause transition
- Unlike conventional practitioners who often rely on medications or generic advice, I take a personalized, bio-individual approach based on what your unique body needs
- And as a RWP, I'm certified to use laboratory testing to identify blockages and imbalances in the body that hinder healing. Dietary changes, eradication protocols, and supplementation are often used to give a client’s body exactly what it needs to heal
The five key foundations I focus on are:
✅ Nutrient-dense whole foods
✅ Digestion & gut health
✅ Blood sugar regulation
✅ Essential fatty acid balance
✅ Mineral balance & hydration
By strengthening these foundations, the body starts self-correcting—leading to better energy, reduced symptoms, and long-term health (aka "side benefits").
Why Functional Nutrition Matters for Women in Perimenopause
Most women don’t realize that the symptoms they experience in their late 30s, 40s and 50s—like insomnia, weight gain, fatigue, mood swings, hot flashes, and brain fog—are all connected to foundational imbalances that started years ago. And when I started experiencing changes myself, I was motivated to create a self-paced, online course—Make Menopause Sexy—to help women feel more empowered and in-control of this midlife transition by using functional nutrition and simple lifestyle shifts as tools.
When I work with clients 1:1 we address:
✔ Blood sugar dysregulation → because insulin resistance worsens perimenopause symptoms
✔ Gut imbalances → because the estrobolome (specific gut bacteria in your microbiome) regulates estrogen metabolism
✔ Nutrient depletion → because stress, toxins, and alcohol deplete key vitamins needed for hormone balance
✔ Detox pathways → because poor liver function can contribute/cause estrogen to recirculate and build-up making “estrogen dominance” symptoms worse
Instead of chasing symptoms with prescriptions or quick fixes, together, we look at how all areas of your life are connected and how each one impacts your health. The aim is to establish a healthy foundation so you can feel energized, balanced, and confident again.
Why You Should Work with a Functional Nutritionist
If you are a woman in your late 30s, 40s, or 50s and experiencing:
- Stubborn belly fat
- Fatigue, energy dips, brain fog
- Poor sleep
- Bloating, constipation, or acid reflux
- Heavy, irregular, or missing periods
- Low libido or vaginal dryness
- Hot flashes and night sweats
- Anxiety, depression, or mood swings
- Joint pain, muscle weakness, or osteoporosis risk
…then working with a Functional Nutritionist like me can help you sustainably optimize your health.
Ways to Work With Me
I offer multiple ways to work together, depending on what level of support you need:
- Make Menopause Sexy – My signature online course that teaches women exactly how to eat, move, and support their hormones during perimenopause so they feel amazing in midlife and beyond.
- 1:1 Sessions/Programs – Personalized coaching that includes tailored recommendations and functional lab testing to uncover deeper imbalances. We utilize tools such as: stool testing, food sensitivity testing, Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs), adrenal and sex hormone testing to help you understand your digestive issues, blood sugar, cortisol, estrogen, progesterone, and more.
- Wellness for Winos – If you love sipping cocktails & wine and still want to maintain an optimally healthy lifestyle, Wellness for Winos is for you. This mini-course educates individuals who want to keep alcohol in their lives about its effects on nutrition, energy, hormones, and overall health. It offers practical steps and habits to mitigate alcohol’s potential impacts, such as nutrient depletion and neurotoxin buildup, while still enjoying wine or cocktails in a balanced way.
Instead of just telling you what to do, I teach you HOW to take control of your health, so you don’t have to rely on endless diets, bandaid medications, or guesswork.
Why I Created Side Benefits Nutrition
I personally struggled with hormone imbalances, gut issues, and stubborn weight in my 30s, and I know how frustrating it is to be dismissed by doctors who say “everything looks normal” when you feel anything but normal. That’s why I’ve dedicated my work to helping women understand their bodies from a root cause perspective and take control of their hormones so they can thrive during perimenopause and beyond.
If you’re ready to finally feel like yourself again, check out my online courses or book a FREE Discovery Call to learn more about working with me 1:1.
