Embracing Holistic Health for Diabetes, PCOS, and More: Expert Insights with Dietitian Noura Sheikhalzoor

Learn how Noura Sheikhalzoor integrates evidence-based nutrition, lifestyle coaching, and technology to transform lives in her holistic health practice.

Written by
Evita Basilio, RD Evita Basilio, RD
Published on

In today's world, where health is often seen through a narrow lens, a holistic approach offers a more comprehensive way of achieving well-being. Noura Sheikhalzoor, a Registered Dietitian, Certified Diabetes Bariatric Educator, and Natural Product Advisor, embodies this approach. Through her practice, Nourish with Noura, she helps clients living with diabetes, hypothyroidism, and PCOS by providing client-centered, evidence-based nutrition counseling. Beyond one-on-one sessions, she leads workshops and community group programs, making complex nutritional science accessible to diverse audiences.

So, what does holistic health really mean, and how does Noura integrate it into her practice? From real client transformations to leveraging technology for personalized nutrition, let's dive into how she brings this approach to life.

What Holistic Health Means & Why It Matters

For Noura, holistic health means looking beyond symptoms and addressing the root causes of health issues. She also acknowledges the importance of community and family influences on an individual’s well-being.

"As a dietitian, I always have the client in the center. The person is not just a body; they have thoughts, they have emotions, and all of these aspects need to be considered in their health journey or nutrition plan."

Addressing misconceptions about holistic health

One major misconception she often encounters is the belief that holistic health is separate from evidence-based practice.

"Unfortunately, there is a lot of noise in this space. Some words become buzzwords, and social media can contribute to the confusion. But holistic health doesn’t mean ignoring science or rejecting conventional medicine — it means making sure that the person is well-informed and has access to evidence-based strategies that are safe and effective. It’s about integrating research-backed nutrition and lifestyle interventions into a broader, whole-person approach."

The role of cultural sensitivity in nutrition

Another key element of holistic health is cultural sensitivity and inclusivity. "Food is more than just nutrition — it’s a form of identity and belonging," she says. "When clients see their favorite cultural foods included in their nutrition plans, they feel understood and supported. One of the first things I ask is, ‘What cuisine do you like to eat?’ or ‘What cultural foods are important to you?’ because that helps make the plan sustainable and enjoyable."

By approaching holistic health with curiosity, validation, and understanding, Noura ensures that her clients feel safe and empowered in their journey toward better health. That Clean Life plays a key role in this by making meal planning an accessible and sustainable part of their care — helping clients stay consistent without the guesswork.

How Technology Enhances Holistic Nutrition Coaching

Before integrating Practice Better and That Clean Life into her practice, Noura faced the challenge of balancing client care with business growth. Managing meal plans, tracking client progress, and handling administrative tasks left little time for actual client interaction. "I tried looking in so many different directions, and that led me to burnout. I wanted to focus more on my clients, but I was getting bogged down by paperwork and logistics," she recalls.

How Practice Better streamlines client care

Her motivation to adopt these tools stemmed from the need for efficiency without compromising care quality.

"Practice Better allows me to streamline client management, making communication and progress tracking seamless. One feature I love is the Programs tool — I've uploaded videos, meal plans, and handouts, and my clients find it so easy to access everything in one place. They can also complete evaluation forms, which help me assess their progress and areas where they need more support."

Another standout feature for Noura is the Food and Mood Journal.

"It’s amazing when I open Practice Better and see that clients have uploaded pictures of their meals. I can give instant feedback — sometimes it’s just a simple comment like, ‘That looks appetizing!’ or a gentle nudge like, ‘Why not try a different vegetable next time?’ These small interactions strengthen our connection beyond scheduled sessions. It keeps clients engaged and accountable while also allowing me to personalize my recommendations."

How That Clean Life transforms nutrition planning

That Clean Life has revolutionized how Noura provides inclusive and accessible meal planning.

"I had a client from Venezuela who kept describing a dish called Arepa, and when I found it on That Clean Life, he was over the moon! Another client from India was thrilled to see biryani on her meal plan because she thought she would never eat it again with PCOS. The ability to incorporate cultural foods makes a significant difference in how people view and follow their nutrition plans."

Beyond individual meals, Noura uses That Clean Life to tailor nutrition strategies based on specific health needs.

"For example, I had a client with high blood pressure, and I wanted to emphasize garlic in their diet since there’s some evidence that it may help with blood pressure management. I searched for recipes that incorporated garlic, and the client was excited to try them. Another client loved seasoning his food with salt, so I found recipes that used everything bagel seasoning as a flavorful, lower-sodium alternative. Small changes like these make a big impact."

Advancing holistic care through the Practice Better & That Clean Life integration

For Noura, technology is more than just a convenience — it’s a tool that enhances the quality of care she provides.

"With Practice Better and That Clean Life, I can offer clients a truly holistic experience. Whether it’s helping them track their meals, making nutrition education more accessible through programs, or ensuring that their cultural and emotional needs are met through personalized meal plans, these platforms allow me to support my clients in a way that is practical and sustainable. And because it's available as an app, clients can check in, log meals, or send me messages from their phones, making our collaboration even more seamless."

Providing personalized nutrition plans used to be time-consuming for Noura. But with That Clean Life, she can quickly create meal plans that align with her clients’ health goals, cultural preferences, and dietary needs — without the extra admin burden. The integration of these tools has allowed her to streamline meal planning while scaling her practice and maintaining high-quality care.

Are you ready to grow your practice without sacrificing the care your clients deserve? Join us for Holistic Health, Redefined: Virtual Summit 2025—a free, one-day experience designed for holistic health practitioners who want to scale their business while delivering exceptional care.

Balancing Business Growth with High-Quality Client Care

For holistic practitioners looking to grow their business while maintaining high-quality care, Noura’s advice is simple:

"Invest in tools that support both you and your clients. Time is valuable, and by automating certain tasks, you can dedicate more time to meaningful client interactions."

Noura initially used different platforms for client management, but she soon realized that consolidating everything into Practice Better was a game-changer. "I was using Teachable for workshops, Google Forms for evaluations, and email for communication. It was overwhelming. Now, I run my educational programs directly through Practice Better, upload materials, send automated updates, and even include evaluation forms — all in one place. It has simplified my workflow and saved me money."

She also emphasizes the importance of continuous learning. "The field of nutrition is constantly evolving. Staying up to date and adapting your practice accordingly will not only help your clients but also keep your business relevant and thriving."

The Future of Holistic Health: Personalization & Technology

As holistic health continues to evolve, Noura sees a greater emphasis on personalization. "We are moving towards more individualized care based on genetics, microbiome analysis, and real-time health tracking. Technology will play a huge role in this transformation."

She also believes that digital health platforms will continue to redefine how holistic care is delivered. "With telehealth and wearable health trackers, we can provide data-driven, highly customized nutrition plans that truly fit into people’s lifestyles."


Final Thoughts

Noura Sheikhalzoor’s approach to holistic health is a testament to the power of integrating science with real-life application. Through her practice, she continues to transform lives by making nutrition practical, enjoyable, and sustainable. With the support of tools like Practice Better and That Clean Life, she has successfully built a thriving practice that prioritizes client well-being while maintaining business efficiency.

In the ever-evolving world of holistic health, one thing remains clear: a personalized, whole-person approach will always be at the heart of true well-being.

Watch a Demo