What is Nutritional Therapy?
Nutritional Therapy is the use of foods, diets, fasting, supplements, functional foods and dietary counselling, assessment and support to help people reach their health goals. Health goals can range from weight management to disease symptom support, optimal sports function, eating for a healthy pregnancy and more. The primary focus of Nutritional Therapy is ‘Food as Medicine’, evidence-based interventions of diet and dietary habits to optimise health and wellness. The current swell of interest in nutrition and the accompanying advances in research have shown that we are all unique and dietary modifications work best when tailored to the individual. Naturopathic Nutritionists, as trained by CNM, are also mindful of how lifestyle and environmental factors impact the health of an individual, and keep this in mind when preparing natural health and wellness plans.

What does a Nutritional Therapist do?
A Nutritional Therapist may see and work with individual clients or groups such as a weight loss or Type 2 diabetes support groups providing support and facilitating health and nutrition goals. Nutritional Therapists may also work alongside other healthcare professionals such as chiropractors and acupuncturists in multi-disciplinary wellness centres. More and more Nutritional Therapists are offering online consultations and virtual dietary counselling and support. Nutritional Therapists use a range of tools to identify the most appropriate nutritional support for their clients and may liaise with supplement company representatives, functional testing laboratories and other healthcare providers to give the best possible programme to their clients.

Does CNM offer Diploma training to become a Nutritional Therapist?
Absolutely! With over 20 years’ track record in training successful practitioners, CNM is an industry leader in complementary medicine and holistic health courses and the largest training provider for Nutritional Therapy in Ireland & the United Kingdom. All CNM lecturers are experienced current practitioners themselves and over 80% of CNM graduates are practising.

How long does it take to train in Nutrition?
CNM offers a 3-year long part-time In-class course, and also offers an Online course with contact clinical training. This makes achieving your Nutritional Therapy qualification that much more accessible. The first year of studies focuses on Biomedicine as CNM believes that training needs to include a strong basis in biology, understanding of human health, life stages and disease progressions and functional laboratory testing processes. A comprehensive knowledge of the health impact of diet, lifestyle and environmental factors is also a large part of the diploma course. The 3-year programme is designed to build upon the basics of anatomy and physiology, gradually increasing the student’s skill set alongside clinical application to ensure a safe, effective, confident graduating Nutritional Therapist. Some training providers may offer shorter courses, but in the interest of confidence and integration of knowledge, we believe a three-year course with a strong focus on practical application is the ideal structure. There is the possibility to do the course in two years if the student has a background in medicine, nursing or similar disciplines which have a strong emphasis in biomedicine.

I’ve been told I need clinical training to become a Nutritional Therapist. What is that?
As a Nutritional Therapy student, being able to translate your knowledge into clinical ability is one of the most important elements of training. Clinical training at CNM is one of the most enjoyable parts of the course. Students have the opportunity to see a variety of experienced practitioners demonstrate how to use the skills of nutritional therapy to serve real clients with different health and nutrition needs. As the course progresses students get the opportunity as ‘student practitioners’ to utilise their skills in a supported clinical environment under supervision. The goal for Nutritional Therapists is to be a great clinician and to use their knowledge gained in practical and health affirming ways. Clinical training is of paramount importance and the foundation of the CNM philosophy.

Where can I study nutritional therapy?
There are CNM college locations across Ireland in Dublin, Cork and Galway and in the UK including London, Belfast, Birmingham, Brighton, Bristol, Edinburgh and Manchester. We also offer online study via our cutting-edge online learning platform.

Can I fit nutritional studies in my already busy life?
CNM’s nutrition courses have been designed with busy professionals in mind – the majority of our students are looking at a change in career and already have busy work and home lives. Our experienced course consultants are available to discuss your particular work/life balance and recommend the schedule to best suit you. Download our course guide today to get started

What can a qualification in Nutritional Therapy lead to?
A Nutritional Therapy qualification can lead you along a variety of career trajectories, including private practice, work in multidisciplinary health and wellness centres, specialisation in particular health fields, working for charities, for example those concerned with diabetes or the elderly, supplement or functional testing companies, meal planning for events or retreats, health article writing, health blogging, running seminars, retreats, hosting webinars, training and staff development in the corporate sector – there is a huge array of possibilities depending on your interests and ambition. A large number of our graduates have become leaders in health and lifestyle trends and successful authors such as Elizabeth Peyton-Jones and Madeleine Shaw.