Featured Member: Kendra Tolbert MS, RDN, CDN, CLC

July 3, 2017

We are so excited to launch our monthly Dietitians in Integrative and Functional Nutrition Featured Member series.  Our featured member for July is Kendra Tolbert MS, RDN, CDN, CLC.  Kendra is a registered dietitian, certified aromatherapist, and certified lactation counselor specializing in women’s health. Her website, Live Fertile, is packed with fertility, pregnancy, and women’s health and wellness information. She currently lives in Alexandria, VA where she can usually be found taking a yoga or belly dance class.

How would you best describe what you do in a nutshell, including how you incorporate integrative and functional nutrition into your work?

I meet with women virtually to improve their reproductive health. We focus on blood sugar balance, eating healthy fats (so important for our hormones), and getting in those shortfall nutrients.

I also write about women's health, nutrition and aromatherapy for my own blog and other sites.

So often, I think folks believe integrative and functional nutrition is all about using using herbs and supplements. While they certainly have a place, a high quality anti-inflammatory eating pattern, simple stress management techniques, good sleep hygiene, and enjoyable movement are the true foundation of integrative nutrition and medicine. And that's what I focus on with clients and in my writing.

What do you love most about integrative and functional nutrition?

I love that integrative and functional nutrition empowers people to take good care of themselves and gets to the root of health concerns. Integrative practitioners equip clients with information and tools they can use for the rest of their lives to not just manage symptoms, but to actually achieve optimal health.

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

Most of my training has come from self study (PubMed and books are my best friends), continuing ed through DIFM and Dietitian Central, Susan Allen's Foundation course, The Herbal Academy's Herbalism courses, The Integrative Women's Health Institute, and The New York Institute of Aromatherapy.

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

Join DIFM. Seriously, it's the best place to start. The listserv gives you access to some of the best and brightest in the field who are happy to answer your questions and share resources. And the webinars and newsletters are full of valuable information.

I would also say, don't be afraid to venture outside of the RD world for training. Yes, you still want to make sure what you're learning is evidence based, but some of the best teachers I've ever had were herbalists, aromatherapists, functional physical therapists, and MDs who really know their stuff.

Thank you for sharing your insights and inspiration with us, Kendra!

Are you ready to join DIFM?  Learn more here.  Would you like to explore educational opportunities in integrative and functional nutrition?  Check out our free Functional Nutrition Tool Kit.