My Approach… Wholistic, Scientific & Nurturing
I am passionate about restoring hope, healing, and health from within! In order to find balance, we must appreciate and understand our unique biochemistry and how food, environment, lifestyle, genetics, and more influence our health. The body is a beautiful network of systems constantly communicating together. An imbalance in one area of your body can cause illness in a completely different part, making it important to view all systems together and to appreciate how they influence each other. This is called functional nutrition or functional medicine.
This is why I value each person as unique and provide a personalized and compassionate approach. My partnership with clients take them on a journey to explore past history, medications, supplements, lifestyle habits, stress, environment, relationships, genetics, and how it may contribute to their current health struggle and status. Together we use “food as medicine” nutrition therapies, supplementation, advanced testing, lab work, and more to help uncover and correct health imbalances.
Julie Bender RDN, LDN, cWC
Certified Functional & Integrative Nutritionist
As research continues to emerge, it is clear that gut bacteria are directly connected to our major systems in the body making them vital for a healthy immune system and total health. This is why I am dedicated to the area of gut health to help you thrive. The nutrients we enjoy from food are not effective if gut health is not optimal, or if the gut is not absorbing key nutrients needed to regulate the body’s systems! My mission is to help clients discover a PEACEFUL GUT and a healthy balance so they can thrive.
As I neared age 40, I went from a successful, overachieving, healthy nutritionist to someone who was secretly struggling. Suddenly, I was wrestling with an unexplained autoimmune condition, dropping weight, covered in a mysterious rash, and plagued by gut symptoms, anxiety, fatigue and brain fog. My doctors could not tell me what was wrong, because many of my tests came back… “normal.” Meanwhile, what I thought was a healthy lifestyle — with daily exercise, yoga, good sleep, and the “perfect” diet — was barely helping me through each day.
My dive into functional and integrative nutrition therapy began because I was looking for the missing answers that would help me get to the root of conditions that conventional medicine was not addressing — a toolset I could use for my clients and for myself.
I dug deep into my old scientific loves, biochemistry and pathophysiology, received advanced certification in Functional and Integrative Nutrition, and finally discovered effective natural root-cause solutions for healing. Oh, and, yes, I found the underlying environmental cause of my own condition and slowly restored my hope, health, and appreciation for what “struggles” can bring to our lives.
My own challenges were a blessing that reignited my deep passion for helping others find hope and health. They led me to opening my own private practice, JBS Nutrition & Wellness, LLC, where my mission is to help men and women struggling with complex gut and autoimmune conditions to reclaim a Peaceful gut and vibrant health!
Functional medicine and nutrition saved my life and my career. More than anything, I want others to know that there are answers beyond conventional medicine. I want to help you find solutions to your health struggle so you can overcome your chronic health challenges and live your best life!
Here is my full story. I hope you can see yourself in it and know that you, too, can heal.
Think we might be a good fit to work together? Connect HERE.
Credentials
Degrees & Education
- Bachelor of Science in Dietetics
- Dietetic Internship – State University of New York (SUNY), Stony Brook
Certifications & Certificates
- Certified in Integrative and Functional Medical Nutrition Therapy (IFMNT), 2-year accredited program
- Current advanced training with credential pending 2018
- Certified Health & Wellness Coach — WellCoaches®
- Certificate of Training in Adult Weight Management — Commission on Dietetic Registration
- Certificate of Leadership — Commission on Dietetic Registration
- Over 200 hours of continuing education in the past 2 years
Registrations & Licensures
- Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Commission on Dietetic Registration
- Licensed Dietitian, State of Florida
Professional Membership
- The Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM)
- The Center for Mindful Eating
- American Botanical Council
- Environmental Working Group
- Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
- Dietitians in Integrative and Functional Medicine
- The Florida Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
Association of Gastrointestinal Motility Disorders Advisory Board Member
Julie is honored to serve as a member of Association of Gastrointestinal Motility Disorders (AGMD) Medical/Scientific/Nutritional Advisory Board, where she is a regular contributor to the AGMD’s e-magazine and website and telephone Internet Featured Guest program. You can find links to her articles and interviews here.
The Best of Sarasota
Acknowledged as a Nutrition Leader
I have been honored to receive the BEST OF SARASOTA for Nutritionist for seven consecutive years running since I opened my private practice in 2015.
SRQ Women In Business Initiative
I’m a proud nominee
- SRQ Women in Business Award 2019 – See my feature here!
- Women Who Roar Award Recognition 2021 – Feature coming soon!
Proud to be a Voyage Tampa Change Maker Highlight
Read the November Voyage Tampa Magazine feature article here
Thank you Voyage Tampa Magazine for highlighting JBS Nutrition & Wellness
I Love to Volunteer at This Vital Resource for Our Community
Resilient Retreat is a new and innovative approach to help those impacted by trauma and abuse. Free evidence-based programs are provided to heal the mind, body, and spirit on 84 acres of conservation land in Sarasota, FL. Resilient Retreat also offers a Kind Line (941-343-0039) to provide support for those who need help navigating their trauma.
Schedule a complimentary phone consultation
I Kicked My Sugar Cravings In Just A Few Days!
Julie. I just wanted to take a moment to write you to say THANK YOU! It has been just a few days since our first visit and I have yet to implement everything we discussed… BUT I can’t believe I am no longer experiencing sugar cravings!  It is a miracle and a feeling I’ve never felt before. I also had a normal BM this morning. Hallelujah! THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!
Your grateful client…
MO
