Nutrition & Health Philosophy
As a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, I am passionate about guiding individuals on their path to wellness. My greatest joy is watching the transformation of my clients as they discover a vibrant and healthy life, free from fad diets and food preoccupation. A lifestyle in which they find pleasure in eating, while also honoring their body and health with gentle nutrition.
What I’ve learned after years in the medical field is that so many people in pursuit of health and wellness become hyper focused on managing food, weight and shrinking their body. There’s a common belief that there MUST be some diet out there to remedy every health condition. Unfortunately, when these diets fail, people are left feeling that it’s THEIR fault, not the diet. In reality, a sustainable approach to nutrition would be much more likely to produce the long term results they desire.
We live in a society that glorifies losing the “last 10 pounds,” tracking every calorie and “burning off” last night’s dessert as a punishment for lack of “willpower.”
I’ve witnessed countless well-intentioned clients strive for the unrealistic thin ideal, paying an expensive price to the detriment of both physical and mental health. Often these harmful dieting behaviors WORSEN their existing health concerns. Ultimately, they find themselves trapped in the destructive cycle of dieting and find me when they’re ready to break free.
Do you resonate with this dilemma?
It doesn’t have to be this way…
Wellness is subjective…it’s time to write your own definition.
Bridging the gap between Intuitive Eating & Functional Nutrition
What I know is that fad diets don’t work (for weight loss, or any other nutrition concern for that matter). I also acknowledge that nutrition does play a role in our health and wellbeing. I believe a happy medium exists between nourishing your body, caring for your health and enjoying the pleasure of eating without micromanaging every bite that crosses your lips.
My approach is rooted in the framework of Intuitive Eating, with a unique perspective and skill set to view health through an Integrative and Functional lens.
Having an attuned relationship with food is a fundamental prerequisite for making any changes to eating patterns for the sake of managing a health condition. Foods don’t exist on a moral hierarchy and as long as you continue to believe that some foods are “bad” while others are “good,” you’ll remain stuck in the diet mentality, which pulls you further away from the food freedom and peace you desire.
The core philosophy of my work with clients combines both Intuitive Eating and Functional Nutrition, helping to cultivate whole body wellness and empowering you to evolve from chronic dieter to attuned eater, for life.
Intuitive Eating
- Rejects “diet culture” mentality
- Focuses on sustainable behavior changes without food restriction or rules
- Separates weight from worth, while promoting acceptance of natural body size
- Prioritizes pleasure and satisfaction with eating
- Reconnects individuals with internal hunger and satiety cues instead of reliance on external food rules
- Removes the labeling of “good” and “bad” foods to detach morality from food.
- Promotes joyful movement that feels good for mind and body rather than militant exercise used for punishment
- Dismantles harmful beliefs about food and health
- Implements gentle nutrition strategies based on one’s unique dietary needs
Integrative and Functional Nutrition
- A holistic approach that looks at the whole person to identify the root cause of illness
- Recognizes each person is unique, requiring individualized recommendations based on genetics, lifestyle, environment and health concerns
- Believes traditional and complementary/alternative healing modalities have their place in treatment of health conditions
- Understands the complex interaction of internal and external factors that influence health including stress, sleep, spirituality, food, culture, movement, microbiome, trauma and relationships
- Food has multiple functions and serves as: 1) Energy: to fuel a purposeful life, 2) Information: to communicate with body systems and promote optimal function, 3) Connection: between family and friends enjoying and preparing food together
- Strengthens connection between mind and body through implementation of mindfulness practices
The Result?
Wellness, without the obsession.
You’ll be able to nourish with confidence and live a life free from constant worry over food and body. Are you ready to escape diet culture and step into a place of food freedom that honors your health and prioritizes self care?
Nutrition can be easy, let me show you how