Philosophy
I believe that food and eating are important parts of our lives and should be enjoyed. I look forward to and enjoy every meal and want to help my clients do the same. I take great pride in helping people eat well- and enjoy it! I look at each person as an individual and help them take manageable and attainable steps toward their goals. Progress is always the goal, not perfection.
Direct experience has shown me that diets do not help most people lose weight and keep it off. While some people can diet for a short time, most people eventually feel deprived and frustrated which leads to overeating and feelings of failure. Dieting also appears to actually cause weight gain in the long term. For these reasons, I do not recommend dieting.
What you eat really matters. What you choose to put in your body every day makes a huge difference in how you feel today and what your health status will be tomorrow. Learning to eat “appropriately” is crucial. When people eat and exercise appropriately, they will usually settle into a weight that is “appropriate” for them. I believe that most people can learn to tune into their bodies and listen for signals that tell them what, when, and how much to eat. They can also learn to differentiate between true physiological hunger and just feeling like eating. Doing this is incredibly liberating as it eliminates the need to count calories, points, fat grams or use other “dieting” strategies.
Giving yourself permission to eat is essential for being successful with food. Allergies notwithstanding, it is unlikely that any one food will cure or harm you. A healthy, balanced, sane, and sustainable way of eating includes all foods. Your grocery store is full of foods that can nourish and sustain your body. I can help you identify them and teach you how to make them tasty and satisfying.
My work is influenced by Evelyn Tribole and Elyse Resch, authors of Intuitive Eating, Karin Kratina of Nourishing Connections, and Geneen Roth. I invite you to visit their web sites to learn more about them and what you might experience working with me.
How it Works
I often receive calls from people asking about my “program.” The truth is, I don’t have a “one size fits all” program because every person is truly unique. My goal is to work with you to create a fully customized plan that addresses your unique situation and goals.
Here’s what happens when you choose to work with me:
- I start with a comprehensive nutrition assessment that usually takes about 2 hours.
- I ask questions about your goals, health, family health history, medications and dietary supplements, weight history, lab values, lifestyle and physical activity level, how balanced your life feels, how food and eating fit into your usual day, how you do your shopping and cooking, and what your favorite foods are.
- Based on that information, I am able to formulate a nutrition diagnosis and suggest specific interventions that will move you toward your goal(s). The majority of my clients tell me that they would rather leave with just a few things to work on rather than embarking on a major overhaul of their diet. We work collaboratively and at your pace.
It’s important to remember that the first visit is mostly focused on the assessment and that the specific information comes in future visits.
Most clients return in about 2 weeks for an hour long visit. At this and future visits, discussion might focus on the following:
- How much of which foods your body needs for optimal health
- How to plan easy, tasty, healthy meals and snacks
- How to tune into signals from your body to figure what, when, and how much to eat
- How to incorporate all foods, regardless of their nutritional value, into a healthy way of eating
- How many calories your body needs to function and how different foods and activities affect your calorie balance
- How to make healthier choices at restaurants and social events
- How to differentiate between real hunger and just feeling like eating
- How to resist the urge to eat when you aren’t really hungry
- How to bring enjoyment back to food and eating
- Problem solving, problem solving, and more problem solving
- How to continue new behaviors for the long term
I strongly recommend that most clients plan on at least 2-3 visits. Research shows that clients who are working toward their natural weight should make a commitment of at least 6 months. Individuals with disordered eating will also benefit from a longer commitment. Appointment length and frequency varies depending on each client’s needs.