I’ve been studying with the Institute for Integrative Nutrition (IIN) for six months now. The halfway point seems like a good time to check-in and give my review of the course so far.

What is the Institute for Integrative Nutrition?

The Institute for Integrative Nutrition (IIN) is “the world’s largest nutrition school” which offers online-only nutrition education. The course is broken down into weekly modules, which you study in your own time. I’m studying the year-long program, there is also an accelerated six-month program. The course focuses on nutrition education with the goal of becoming a holistic health coach. Past graduates have used the mix of nutrition, business and coaching skills to pursue a host of options: online or in-person coaching, writing books, hosting retreats, conducting corporate wellness workshops and developing healthy products.

Why did I sign-up?

I signed up because I wanted to explore nutrition further . At the time of signing up, I was working full-time and felt like I hadn’t put my energy towards something I was really interested in for a while. Going back to school full-time wasn’t an option, and I wanted a course which fitted around my life. I did a lot of research on online courses, there are a lot – many of which now pop up in my targeted Instagram ads…! The name which kept coming up again and again on the “About Me” pages of some of my favourite bloggers was the Institute of Integrative Nutrition (IIN).

Will I obtain a qualification with IIN?

Yes, at the end of the course I’ll obtain a qualification as a Certified Health Coach. I think it is worth mentioning here that there’s a big difference between a Certified Health Coach and a dietitian or nutritionist. I have found the school to be very clear about the scope of practice and what the role of a health coach is.  As an IIN graduate, I will have a responsibility to be clear about this too. Someone who has studied with IIN shouldn’t be portraying themselves as a nutritionist or dietitian (unless they have additional qualifications of course).

Given the current proliferation of Instagram “experts” I think it’s really important to not describe yourself in a way that could potentially mislead. If you do decide to work as a health coach, then you’ll be working with clients alongside their doctors, nutritionists and other health practitioners and there is a totally valid and necessary space for health coaches in that mix. If you looking for a health coach yourself, or want some guidance around nutrition then be sure to ask what someone’s qualifications in this space are. Be very wary of “experts” recommending supplements, the cutting out entire food groups or stopping prescription medication.  

What I’ve enjoyed most so far…

• IIN covers over 100 dietary theories and encourages you to experiment with the concept of bio-individuality to find what works best for you.
• Potentially contentious topics like veganism and dairy are covered neutrally. The school isn’t here to tell you what or how to eat.
• The range of lecturers keeps things interesting. The course is run by the founder of IIN, Joshua Rosenthal, but there are different guest lecturers each week by doctors, scientists, nutritionists and the odd celebrity lecturer. Arianna Huffington’s lecture on the importance of sleep has been my personal favourite so far.
• Covering the basics of the biochemistry of food, how the digestive system works, the gut microbiome, macro and micronutrients and how sugars are broken down by the body.
• Learning that other area in my life are just as, if not more important, to my health than the food that I eat.
• Making sure I’m getting adequate nutrition on a plant-based diet.
• There’s a class Facebook group and through this I’ve met fellow students here in Dubai, and made new friends.
• The course is really flexible, when I’ve not been able to study a week’s module it’s been easy to catch-up and get back on track during a quieter period.
• Developing my listening skills and learning how to ask the right questions (in preparation for coaching clients and for life in general!)
• Applying a lot of what I’ve learned to my daily life, in an easy and enjoyable way.
• Getting friends and family involved as willing volunteers to practice initial consultations with.
• An IIN qualification can be used as part of a masters program, and IIN offers additional courses if particular elements, like gut or hormone health, have resonated.

What I’ve enjoyed less…

• The course is pretty much all video lectures, I’m more used to a “read and learn” style. Some of the videos are over and hour long and require focus and no distractions.
• The course is aimed predominantly at Americans and as a slightly withdrawn Brit, some of the IIN team presenters feel a little full-on ! A lot of the statistics are also US-based.
• The timing of the webinars and check-in calls fall quite late living in the UAE, although it’s not been an issue to schedule around them. If you’re based in the UK, you’ll have a lot more timing options.
• The course is a great starting point for launching a business but there’s still a lot of work you’ll need to put in if you want to run a successful coaching business.
• The onus on keeping up with your studies and submitting coursework is on YOU. If you’re someone who isn’t very self motivated then this course probably won’t work well for you.

How much time have I needed?

I signed up while working full time and did worry that I wouldn’t have time to enjoy the process of studying. Depending on the module content I spend between 3 and 6 hours a week which is really manageable. There’s an app for studying on the go, although I feel like I gain the most out of the lectures by sitting at my laptop or in a cafe and taking notes. If you plan to listen to the lectures while commuting then it might be worth setting some further time aside for consolidating your learning.

At this point in time, I’ve taken two of the six tests. During a test period, there are two weeks to complete the test and no new modules are added. It provides time to catch-up on past modules, consolidate your learning, explore the additional reading materials and submit coursework. The tests are multiple choice and open book so have required minimal preparation, other than reviewing my notes.

The course work has consisted of carrying out “Health Histories” which are practice initial consultations. These take an hour or so each and you need to submit six throughout the course. IIN encourages you to practice as many as possible, but only a summary of six is required (no confidential information about your practice client consultations is submitted). I’ve practiced with friends and family but you can also use the Facebook group to find other students to connect with.

There have also been two live check-in calls in a small group, and three interactive consolidating webinars which I’ve either followed live or caught up with at a later date.

How much does IIN cost?

I signed up at the start of 2019 with a new year offer which was very reasonable for a whole year of tuition. I’m not sure what the current costs are but you can use my link to get a discount of 25% off of course tuition, or get in touch with me to find out more.

Would I recommend IIN so far?

Yes, if you are looking to learn more about nutrition in a holistic way, and improve your own health in the process. And if you’re looking for a new career path, or a side hustle in the wellness space. It would also be a great add-on for a yoga teacher or personal trainer.

I’ve enjoyed studying an area which really interests me, and really feel like I’ve learned a lot in the last six months and made positive changes to my own life. I’m looking forward to what the next six months with IIN has in store and to telling you more about it!

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