by Melinda Perkins

“I have my food dialed in.” 

No matter your niche in the health industry, sooner or later, you’re going to hear these words from a client. This is the client who can list the latest Superfoods off the top of their head (and get the spelling and pronunciation right, too). They rattle off the top sources of vitamin B on their plates as well as the six different podcasts that proclaim the “worst” food of the minute. (Which they categorically avoid).

To their knowledge, they have conquered the frontier of food. Yet they are baffled as to why they can’t summon the energy of a teen, can’t shed those pesky last 5 pounds or can’t get their tummy to shut up after lunch.

The fact is, they’ve just scratched the surface of the first W of food: What’s on their plate. And they’re probably leaving the most important aspects of the food picture on the table (pun intended). 

Let’s be honest, life isn’t lived in a vacuum of perfectly balanced Superfood salads.

If you peered in on their lunchtime routine, it looks like this: 

The clock hits noonish and they randomly thrust one hand into their triple-insulated YETI lunch bag, while furiously typing an email with the other. They’re snarling, either at the screen or because their fingertips can’t blindly find their fork; or both. Fast forward a few minutes. The snarls are equally mingled with ferocious chomping as they decimate that perfectly configured Superfood Salad, eyes still glued to the computer screen, mind still lasered-in on the latest drama unfolding in cyberspace. 

Enter the first secret W of food: Where

Now imagine your client savoring the decadence of that same power packed lunch on a quiet park bench with a side of fresh air and a backdrop of babbling brook. Feels different, right? 

The body thinks so, too.

Stress, whether it’s the overt kind with infuriating emails, ringing phones and irate customers or the background hum they’ve learned to live with, does more than dampen digestion; it can actually impair nutrient absorption. When cortisol takes the wheel, their body isn’t focused on thriving, it merely wants to survive.

So, simply tell your client to reserve a park bench at mid day and all their troubles will be carried away on the lilt of birdsong, right?

If only it were that simple.

What launches one client into stress could be exactly what another needs to relax into rest and digest. It’s all shaped by their unique physiological and sensory needs. Some people thrive in calm, minimalistic spaces, while others find relaxation in lively, bright, even noisy surroundings. A sunny park bench could be the perfect dining haven or a nightmare of glaring light, scents on the breeze and uninvited flying things.

So what’s the trick to this W?

Precision. Encourage your client to grab that illusive fork and superlative salad and seek out their ideal dining sanctuary. Creating an intentional eating space, tailored to their individual needs is next level nutrition. It’s a small shift that can lead to big improvements in digestion, satiety, and even mood.

Fantastic, your client is no longer balancing their salad in one hand and typing with the other. But as they settle into their serene eating environment, another question arises: Who is sitting next to them? Or perhaps, who isn’t?

Food and Friends: The Secret of Who

Sharing meals isn’t just a tradition; it’s hardwired into our biology. Eating together naturally activates the parasympathetic nervous system, which is precisely what we’re aiming for to get all those Superfood molecules to reach their right destination. 

Enter real-life. 

Especially if your client is busy (and who isn’t?), meals are reduced to stolen moments of grabbing and chomping. It’s one thing to carve out a tiny optimized corner to gobble down some greens, but completely another to set up your social calendar around your stomach. 

That’s precisely why this is next level because the fact is WHO your client eats with can shape their entire dining experience and their digestion, absorption and wait….

Even the original W: What! 

Your clients don’t just bring their own habits to the table, they pick up on those of their dining companions. Social mirroring is a powerful, often subconscious force.

When clients eat with health-conscious peers, they’re more likely to make better choices themselves. A meal with friends who load their plates with nutrient-dense foods can subliminally encourage your client to do the same. Conversely, indulgent social settings (think all-you-can-eat buffets or celebratory feasts with an “anything goes” vibe) may divest them completely of their dreams of better health.

Great, so now you’re tasked with culling their contacts list like a helicopter parent?

On the contrary, while sharing this insider W might just make you their go-to expert to completely reshape their relationship with food, all you have to do is help them make it personal. 

Just like that perfect “Where”, The right ‘who’ looks different for everyone. Some clients recharge with joyful, communal meals brimming with conversation, while others need a quiet moment with one close friend, or the peace of complete solitude. Your mission? Guide them to discover which social dynamics foster the balance and support they need. 

Alright, they’ve got their dream team at the table (or they’re flying solo on that peaceful park bench). Let’s make a powerful impact with the King of the Titans: Chronos

Cracking the Code: The Secret of When

Chronobiology, the study of biological rhythms, reveals the profound influence of time on digestion, metabolism, and overall health. Meals consumed in sync with the body’s natural cycles honor the wisdom of Chronos, optimizing function and reducing stress on the system.

This isn’t about hurriedly gulping down a smoothie between battles with your inbox, it’s about unlocking the full potential of nutrition, and letting time work for you, not against you.

When clients eat out of sync with their internal clocks a phenomenon called chronobiological dyssynchrony occurs. It disrupts digestion, metabolism, and hormonal balance, increasing risks for inflammation, metabolic disorders, and chronic diseases. Even subtle misalignments, like eating a heavy meal late at night, can strain the body, causing fatigue, weight gain or those illusive belly groans and gurgles.

Here’s where things get even more exciting: not all clients operate on the same chronobiological blueprint. Some thrive on a hearty breakfast and feel energized all morning, while others perform best with lighter morning meals and a robust lunch. Helping clients identify their optimal eating windows and pair them with perfect portions sets the foundation for every other health goal on their list.

From Insights to Action: The Ws Made Easy

Your client who has their “food dialed-in” doesn’t need another list of Superfoods, they need a health professional who sees the whole picture. The where, who, and when of eating offer the missing pieces to their health puzzle, and put them on the path to achieve the energy, balance, and health they’ve been striving for.

And here’s the good news: using science-backed AI technologies to enhance your practice means you don’t have to figure it all out alone. You can seamlessly integrate the latest in every nutrition W (including the What, Why and How) with your expertise to easily deliver precise, individualized strategies for every client.

Ready to redefine what’s possible for your clients?

Bring the science of when, where, who and more to life in your practice with our Level 1 Course for Health Professionals.