About the Course

This ITEC accredited part-time course is designed to instruct students in the principles of healthy eating taking into context the current Western diet, lifestyle and health issues. The course offers strategies for personal change but also develops skills for coaching others towards a sustainable healthier future. We examine food from farm to fork and discuss exactly how food is grown, processed and nutritionally depleted and the cumulative effect this has on health. Students are then instructed how food, nutrients, supplements and herbs can be used to counteract modern lifestyles and promote optimum health.

This course is ideal for individuals who wish to gain a practical knowledge of diet and nutrition in order to advise clients in formulating healthy eating programmes for weight loss and to improve general health and wellbeing. It is also ideal for those that want to improve their knowledge of diet and nutrition in order to improve their own health and that of their families.

Course Content

This one year ITEC Accredited certificate course consists of ten lecture weekends with correspondence-type home study in-between each lecture weekend. The course covers an array of vital nutritional knowledge including: the therapeutic qualities of food, toxicity and detoxification; bowel flora, dietary functions of minerals and vitamins and their deficiency and toxicity symptoms; the use of vitamin, mineral and herbal supplements as well as special nutrients. This course is a perfect adjunct to any therapy and will enhance your own health as well as your current or future practice.

Click here to view Lecture Plan

Graduates of the course whom already have a recognised qualification in another therapy can apply to ARCHTI for membership.

• Weekend 1:
  Western diet and lifestyle: its affects on health
  Different systems of the body and how they work together
  The affects of diet on common disorders
  Consultation demonstration

Weekend 2:
The Basics of Nutrition; the micronutrients

Weekend 3:
The digestive system: common digestive disorders and supporting digestive health
Cellular metabolism
The Basics of Nutrition; the macronutrient

Weekend 4:
The Basics of Nutrition; the macronutrients

Weekend 5:
The Basics of Nutrition; food groups, phytonutrients and antinutrients

Weekend 6:
Nutritional Therapeutics; detoxification

Weekend 7:
Planning dietary and lifestyle programmes: including food groups in an individual dietary programme
Novel foods and basic supplements
Maximising the nutrient content of food groups e.g. sprouting, grinding, soaking etc
Consultation demo and practical exercises

Weekend 8:
The key bodies governing food in Ireland and the EU
Organic, GM, sustainability, local/food miles, seasonality
Adverse effects of farming and food processing on food quality and personal health
Growing your own: vegetables, herbs, fruit, sprouting
Visit to an organic farm and ethical producers

Weekend 9:
Nutrition for different groups of society
Food labelling: evaluating the nutritional quality of different foods
Introduction to some herbs used for common health disorders
Herb Walk

• Weekend 10:
  Putting together a healthy meal
  Sourcing and creating recipes and meal plans
  Cooking demo
• Weekend 11:
  Counselling skills
  Practical exercises
  Dietary counselling for common clients e.g. : OVerweight, families, and busy individuals

Entry Requirements

This is a lifelong learning course and students are accepted on to this course through a combination of academic qualifications and relevant life experience.

(i) Normal minimum entry requirements:
The minimum entry standard that an applicant should obtain in the Leaving Certificate is a Grade C3, or better, in two higher level papers, together with a Grade D3 at ordinary level or better in four other subjects. A pass in either Irish or English must be included. A pass in at least one science subject is advantageous. Overseas equivalents are also considered.

(ii) Prior Learning and Prior Experiential Learning:
For entry to the programme applicants with Prior Learning and Experiential Prior Learning will be considered. Each non-standard applicant will be interviewed to determine their suitability for the course.

How to Apply

Training is an investment in your future. As with any investment it is important to identify what you want to gain and which course will provide it for you. The Institute staff will spend time speaking with you to ensure you have all the information you need to make the right decision. We recommend you attend one of our regular open evenings to find out more about the course structure, content and career opportunities.

All the ICIM courses require dedication and commitment to lecture attendance and home study. You will be required to attend an open evening/day or to be interviewed by appointment. To enrol you will need to complete the application form and return this along with a deposit to the address below.

Registrations
The Institute of Complementary & Integrative Medicine
Kilnanare, Firies
Killarney, County Kerry
Ireland.