Is Functional Medicine Just Diet Culture with a Fancy Name?
Why Root-Cause Wellness Sometimes Feels Like Another Set of Food Rules (and What to Do Instead)
If you’ve ever found yourself jumping from doctor to doctor, trying every supplement and elimination diet under the sun, only to feel more tired, anxious, and confused, you’re not alone.
In Episode 419 of Fit Friends Happy Hour, I shared how so many of my clients (and honestly, myself at one point) have been there. Functional medicine often shows up as the “missing piece” - the promise of someone who finally listens, connects the dots, and helps you find the root cause.
And listen, after years of hearing “your labs are normal” while you still feel miserable, that kind of validation feels like a breath of fresh air.
But here’s the big question:
Is functional medicine really the answer… or is it just diet culture in a lab coat?
Let’s unpack it.
What Functional Medicine Actually Is and Why It Feels So Hopeful
Most people don’t turn to functional medicine because they want to “biohack” their bodies. They turn to it because they’re desperate to feel better. They’ve been dismissed, told it’s all in their head, or brushed off with a prescription that never really got to the why.
Functional medicine feels refreshing because it looks at the whole person - sleep, stress, nutrition, hormones, lifestyle, and more. That alone can make a huge difference, especially when someone finally feels heard.
In fact, a 2024 study published in JAMA Network Open found that when patients feel heard and supported by their healthcare providers, they’re more likely to experience better health outcomes, higher satisfaction, and greater trust in their care team. (Wild, right? Being treated like a human works.)
When “Root Cause” Turns into Diet Culture 2.0
Here’s where things get messy.
Sometimes, what starts as a healing journey turns into another set of rules - just with fancier words and higher price tags.
I’ve seen it over and over: a client invests thousands in testing, leaves with a 6-page list of foods to avoid, 12 supplements to take before breakfast, and instructions to retest in three months. Suddenly they’re terrified to eat anything that isn’t on the “safe list.”
That’s not empowerment…that’s restriction rebranded.
When wellness turns into fear, guilt, or obsession, it’s not wellness anymore. It’s diet culture dressed up as “root-cause medicine.”
And here’s the kicker: that constant stress about what to eat (and not eat) can actually worsen your symptoms. Elevated cortisol (the stress hormone) can mess with digestion, hormones, and sleep, keeping your body in a constant fight-or-flight mode.
So even if you’re doing “all the right things,” you might be making it harder for your body to heal.
Is All Functional Medicine Bad? Nope. The Key Is How It’s Used.
Let’s be clear: I’m not here to bash functional medicine. When it’s done well, it can be incredibly powerful.
I actually use functional tools like Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA) in my own practice - but only after my clients have built a solid foundation with food, stress, and movement.
Data can be helpful, but it should be used for insight, not identity. It’s information to guide - not rules to punish yourself with.
That’s what evidence-based, compassionate care looks like: using science and self-trust together.
Red Flags to Watch For
If you’re exploring functional medicine (or already knee-deep in it), keep an eye out for these red flags:
A “one-size-fits-all” elimination protocol that seems to last forever
A provider who says, “You’ll never get better unless you buy these supplements”
Feeling dependent on your provider instead of empowered by the process
No mention of stress, sleep, or mental health - just food rules
A price tag that makes you question your mortgage payment
Look for providers who:
Accept insurance (when possible)
Start with realistic foundations before testing everything under the sun
Use labs as neutral tools, not absolute truth
Encourage curiosity, not perfection
Help you build trust in your body, not fear of it
If you ever feel shamed, pressured, or like you “can’t trust yourself” without someone else’s approval, that’s your cue to walk away.
The Real Goal: Working With Your Body, Not Against It
Healing isn’t about chasing the next protocol or cutting out one more food. It’s about rebuilding the relationship with your body so you can actually hear what it’s trying to tell you.
That means curiosity over control.
Compassion over criticism.
Consistency over chaos.
Because you don’t need to “fix” your body. You need to learn to work with it.
So before you sign up for the next big thing promising to heal your hormones, gut, or metabolism… pause. Ask yourself:
What would it look like to support my body, not fight it?
If you’re craving a grounded, realistic way to rebuild energy and confidence without restriction, check out Reboot Bootcamp or learn about functional testing that’s done through a non-diet lens.
You deserve care that empowers you…not overwhelms you.
About the Author
Katie Hake, RDN, CPT is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Certified Personal Trainer, and the founder of Katie Hake Health & Fitness, LLC based in Carmel, Indiana. She and her team of non-diet dietitians specialize in helping folks break free from dieting, rebuild trust with their bodies, and create sustainable habits that support energy, confidence, and health. Through both in-person and virtual counseling, Katie and her team proudly serve clients across Indiana and beyond, empowering them to use their insurance benefits to access compassionate, evidence-based nutrition care and fitness coaching.