January 16, 2019
We are happy to introduce you to our featured member and new DIFM Sponsorship Associate Abigail Hueber, RD, LDN! Abigail is an Integrative Functional Dietitian and the owner of the private practice Above Health Nutrition in Boston. In addition, Abby is the Co-Founder of Wellfuel, an executive wellness company that creates and executes daily food and wellness platforms that empower and energize company leaders. She is also the Dietitian and Wellness Educator for Newton Country Day School, an all-girls school in Newton, MA, where she works to empower young women to develop a healthy relationship with food and their own body. Lastly, Abby works as a nutrition consultant for companies in a variety of capacities.
What is your area of practice and how do you incorporate integrative and functional nutrition into your work?
I found my way into the world of functional medicine through my own personal health journey and curiosity. I grew up in a health conscious household, where we always had to have a fruit or vegetable at every meal and "junk food" was only allowed on special occasions. So from the foundation I believed I was a "healthy" person; however, I struggled with mild digestive issues. As I got older, I felt I never had as much energy as I believed I should for being as conscious of my food and movement choices as I was.
My discovery of Functional Medicine seemed kind of kismet. I landed an opportunity to write and create the social media content for a Functional Medicine MD without fully knowing the extent of what I was about to learn. It was not even a couple weeks into the position that I was already in talks to begin studying under the doctor to learn more and eventually began working as the Registered Dietitian in the office once I received my license.
The study of Integrative Functional Nutrition (IFN) helped me to understand that sometimes the challenges one is experiencing is not only about what they are eating, but rather how that unique individual's body is responding to the foods. Thus it becomes more important to look at the individual and their unique body environment versus the diet as the only route to healing.
In my career today, I work as a registered dietitian in several capacities which all directly or indirectly utilize integrative functional nutrition. In my private practice, Above Health Nutrition, I work with clients one-on-one utilizing the foundation of Integrative Functional Nutrition to help them achieve abundant health. I specialize in working with clients who struggle with gastrointestinal conditions such as IBS, autoimmune conditions, hormone health, skin conditions, women's health including pregnancy as well as general wellness.
Additionally, I write and teach a Wellness Curriculum at an all-girls school working in the classroom with grades 5th through 8th. I aim to introduce my students to the foundational concepts in integrative functional nutrition such as what is our microbiome and the key foods to support that environment. My aim is to spark their curiosity about their health and all the ways they can be empowered to support their health everyday.
What are some of the results you have seen since integrating functional nutrition into your practice area?
My Integrative Functional Nutrition background allows me to greater support my clients through shifting the way I view their health challenge or dynamic. IFN recognizes that everything in the body is connected. We have to start at the foundation to uncover what the root cause of the condition is. In IFN the foundation is often the gut, as the saying goes, "everything starts in the gut". This saying has multiple times over been proven through my work with clients. It is a complex topic to explain to clients, especially in the absence of any digestive symptoms, but through clear communication and targeted approaches, their bodies begin to heal and their belief in the IFN model grows. The resilience of the human body astounds me every time.
Where have you completed most of your training in integrative and functional nutrition?
I was introduced to the practice of IFN training under a functional medicine doctor. I began to learn as much as I could through webinars, conferences, shadowing other practitioners; however, it was not until I did a targeted IFN program that I felt confident enough in my understanding to truly practice. I completed Tracy Harrison's School of Applied Functional Medicine, which was a terrific road map to learning the many nuances of IFN. It helped me to study the body's interconnectedness, provided hands of IFN tools to support my practice and expanded my knowledge considerably.
What advice would you give anyone interested in learning more about integrative and functional nutrition?
The IFN world is filled with curious practitioners who love to learn, collaborate and grow. My greatest advice would be to connect to other dietitians and practitioners who practice IFN and plug into the communities in your area. My fellow IFN dietitians are some of the most generous and brilliant resources I know of who are always willing to offer support or guidance when needed. IFN is an always emerging field and it advances because of the sharing of resources and knowledge. It is an exciting place to be and there is plenty of room for all.
Thank you for generously sharing about your experiences, Abigail!