Featured Member: Amanda Sauceda, MS, RDN, CLT, IFNCP

May 20, 2019

We are happy to give the featured member stage to Amanda Sauceda this month! Amanda is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist who earned her Bachelor of Science in Dietetics and Nutrition and Master of Science in Nutritional Science from California State University, Long Beach. Amanda is also a Certified Leap Therapist (CLT), Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor, and Integrative and Functional Nutrition Certified Practitioner (IFNCP) with advanced training in culinary genomics.

What is your area of practice and how do you incorporate integrative and functional nutrition into your work?

I focus on digestive health with an emphasis on food sensitivities. Having had digestive issues myself along with my family members, I knew how food could be a huge part of contributing to people's digestive symptoms. This is why I first started in integrative and functional nutrition with learning about food sensitivities and becoming a Lifestyle Eating and Performance (LEAP) dietitian.  It didn't take long for me to want to learn more about integrative and functional nutrition. Integrative and functional nutrition was everything I wish I had learned in school!

What are some of the results you have seen since integrating functional nutrition into your practice area?

I have had clients tell me that I changed their life. Every time a client tells me that I couldn't be happier. To know that I have had that big of an impact on someone's life is so special to me. Nothing gets better than someone telling you that because of you they are able to live their best life because they don't have to worry about how their stomach feels that day.

How does your culture influence your work?

My culture can influence my work a bit. Having grown up in a Hispanic household, I know what it's like to have certain foods be an integral part of your life. For instance, I would never do a whole wheat tortilla. I just can't! Ha ha! I always approach each client with grace and respect of their culture and their food.

Where have you completed most of your training in integrative and functional nutrition?

I started training with the Integrative and Functional Nutrition Academy (IFNA), and once I took my first module I was hooked. I finished the entire program and became a IFNCP. The training was both intimidating (at first) and eye opening. It has transformed the way I practice.  I also completed training with Amanda Archibald in her Culinary Genomics course. Now that course is an amazing reminder of how cool biochemistry is!

What advice would you give anyone interested in learning more about integrative and functional nutrition?

Just dive in! Start with watching a couple webinars, and if this really fascinates you, I would pick a more formal training to do. My advice is to start slow and start incorporating some integrative and functional strategies into what you regularly do. Slow and steady!

Thank you for all of the inspiration, Amanda!