Lauren Peterson, MS, RD, LN
Lauren is a board-certified registered dietician and has her Masters of Science in Human Nutrition and Functional Medicine.
Lauren currently has completed all the coursework and is studying for her exam to become certified through the Institute of Functional Medicine in Washington state. Lauren has developed a strong passion for identifying the “why” behind your symptoms and diseases and using food as medicine to help the body restore function. She is excited to be a part of Montana Functional Health team.
Lauren earned her Bachelor of Science in Dietetics through UW-Stout and a Master’s of Science in Human Nutrition and Functional Medicine at the University of Western States.
She previously has worked as a registered dietitian in a critical access hospital in Montana and since obtaining advanced training in functional medicine has been practicing in the functional medicine setting since 2022.
In her free time, Lauren enjoys spending time outside trail running, mountain biking, hiking or camping with her husband, Andy, and their three golden retrievers. If she isn’t outside, she likely is in the kitchen cooking or trying out a new sourdough recipe to share with her friends and family.
Lauren’s Journey
“As a dietitian by trade, I have always had a passion for utilizing food as medicine. I was driven to functional medicine early in life because of my desire to understand the “why” behind the symptoms, how different foods affected the body, and to understand what truly causes the health concerns that I and those close to me were experiencing.
As I worked in the conventional hospital and outpatient setting for several years, I felt myself feeling like there was much more I could do for the patients I was seeing. I found myself continually digging deeper into the history behind the current presentation of these patients. I felt the work of a dietitian could be much more thorough and beneficial outside of a cookie-cutter approach or another band-aid approach to their health. I desired a setting where care was delivered in a holistic and personalized approach as no one individual has the same story.
My personal journey with functional medicine started when I was working the conventional hospital and outpatient setting. I started to experience GI distress, chronic sinusitis, hormone imbalances, burnout and migraines. Not feeling satisfied with the modern medicine techniques offered to me, I worked through my own story and health timeline to identify what triggered my current state of health. I created a plan for myself including adjustments to my diet, supplements to address overgrowth and heal my gut, an altered exercise routine, and the most challenging of all, learning that it’s okay to spend more time being mindful and relaxing. I can honestly say, I have never felt so in-tune with my body and am excited to welcome our first baby June 2024!”
“It is an honor taking a deep dive into my patient’s story, learning about their unique health and nutrition history. I am constantly reminded that no patient’s story is ever the same. In my role as a registered dietician and functional medicine practitioner, I look forward to addressing each individuals health concerns and partnering with my patients on their personalized health journey.”
– Lauren Peterson, MS, RD, LN