Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What can I expect from working with you?

A: If you’re like most of my clients, what you’re really asking is “Are you about to take all the fun out of my life?” Only if you consider problems like acid reflux, fatigue, hormonal imbalances, and digestion struggles fun. Together, we’ll find the root causes of the issues that are keeping you from feeling your best, and I’ll give you suggestions for correcting them. These may be as simple as avoiding tomatoes or adding a supplement. Or they may involve a few months of gentle shifts that help you wean yourself off medications that no longer serve you. My approach will be tailored to how you feel now and where you want to grow your well-being. Find out more about the process here.

Q: What does “nutritional therapy” mean? What is “functional nutrition”?

A. If you’ve been befuddled by the ever-shifting “best” way to eat, you’re actually onto something. Expecting results from a diet that wasn’t built to address your unique body is like playing the lotto. Nutritional therapy (also called functional nutrition) starts with you—your struggles, lifestyle, and food sensitivities—and builds nutritional recommendations that take you toward your goals. A nutritional therapist uncovers the root issues behind the symptoms that are driving you crazy and often helps you find issues you were so used to dealing with that you’d thought they were just who you are. Focusing on your body chemistry enables a nutritional therapist to correct imbalances and help you achieve long-term wellness.

Q: How long does it take?

A: Six months usually gives clients what they need to find their path. We’ll work together to uncover your body’s secrets, and that can take some to get right. I start with a series of tests to help us narrow down the possibilities. Those results, combined with your concerns and goals, give us a great idea of where to start. Your particular situation—and the unknowns life throws at you—will play a role in how soon you see the results you want.

Q: How will I know I’m making progress?

A: Oh, this is the fun part. I’m in this to see clients feel better. And part of what I do is help them notice what’s going on in their bodies. That’s how they learn to avoid the practices that make them feel lousy and appreciate those that make them feel great. Because you’ll start with a detailed health questionnaire, you’ll have an easy way to go back and check your progress. I will also lead you through evaluations that bring small victories to light, and if you want the numbers behind the improvements, additional lab testing is always available. Ultimately, your progress will become obvious not just to you but to your friends and family.

Q: Am I going to have to cook all the time?

A: Nope. There’s a lot to be said for preparing your own food—you know exactly what goes into your meal and can tailor it not just to what your body craves but what tastes great to you. But, yes, it’s a lot of work and not everyone’s cup of beans. I maintain a massive recipe database that will make cooking for your own wellness a lot easier, and I also can help you slowly integrate meal preparation practices so cooking doesn’t feel like a chore. I’m also a realist and appreciate a good restaurant meal myself, so I provide new ways of looking at menus and guidance for making choices that support your body chemistry to keep you moving toward wellness.

Q: Do I have to take supplements?

A: First, you don’t have to do anything you don’t want to (and I’m never going to try to pressure you into something you aren’t ready for). Second, I’m pretty pro-supplement, but my primary concern is tweaking the food you eat so that you get what your body needs from your diet. Supplements often provide a needed boost or solve short-term problems. I won’t suggest anything without giving you a detailed understanding of the benefits you can expect.

Q: Where do you see clients?

A: Wherever they are. My consultations happen by Zoom, and my lab partners for testing are all over the country.

Q: How do I pay?

A: Until insurance companies begin covering nutritional therapy, payment is due at the time of service. If your doctor has recommended nutritional therapy, your HSA may be applicable. Otherwise, I accept credit cards and personal checks.

Q: Can I really do this?

A: Absolutely. The term “comfort food” didn’t arise from nowhere, and food is tied up with all kinds of traditions, memories, emotions, and habits—all of which makes changing your perspective about food really scary for most of us. Meanwhile, many people are feeling awful in ways they’ve just gotten used to. You can feel better, and the food you eat almost certainly will make that happen. I’ll help you move at your own pace—some clients dive in headfirst and others prefer slow steps forward, but either way I provide the knowledge, cheerleading, tools, and experience to support you toward feeling your best.