Top 7 Challenges Functional Medicine Nurses Face with Elimination Diets

Sponsored by the Institute for Functional Nursing – Explore courses and training at www.fxnursing.com

Elimination diets sound simple on paper, but in real life, they can create confusion, overwhelm, and unexpected setbacks for both nurses and their patients. In this episode of The Functional Nurse Podcast, Brigitte Sager breaks down the top 7 challenges functional medicine nurses face when guiding clients through an elimination diet, and how to set the stage for success from the start.

You’ll learn how to help patients navigate challenges and avoid common reintroduction mistakes that sabotage their hard work. Topics include:

• How to choose the right timing and “create space” before starting

• Simplifying to reduce overwhelm and prevent burnout

• What to do when patients feel worse before they feel better

• How to handle slip-ups

• Making the reintroduction phase a true experiment with structure and tracking

• Avoiding common mistakes like reintroducing foods during illness or flare-ups

• Why food sensitivities are not the root cause

This episode empowers nurses to guide patients with confidence, empathy, and clarity while also keeping the focus on gut repair, root cause healing, and sustainable behavior change.

Access the full course: A Functional Nursing Approach to Food Reactions

Learn more about IFN's trainings and resources for functional medicine nurses at: https://www.fxnursing.com/learn