What is a non-diet dietitian? What is a non-diet approach?
A non-diet dietitian is a dietitian who won’t put you on a diet — ever. While this might sound contradictory, it means that we will focus on improving your relationship with food and how to fuel your body instead of letting any external food rules dictate your eating habits. This approach aligns with the principles of Intuitive Eating. Instead of teaching you how to control portions, I will teach you how to listen to your hunger and fullness cues. Instead of counting calories, I can help you discover a way of eating where you are mindfully able to tune into the needs of your body.
Non-diet dietitians don't recommend diets because diets do not work! Diets put the clock, the scale, the measuring cups, some other inanimate / external object, or another person in charge of your eating. This leads to further distrust and confusion between your body and your mind. While I am here to help you challenge anything that may be preventing you from listening to your body, such as an eating disorder or diet culture, you are ultimately the only person living in your body, and the expert of you. Non-diet is not non-health. This is a common misconception about Intuitive Eating. Intuitive Eating has research to back it up. The studies show that Intuitive Eating participants have less disordered eating, decreased biomarkers like triglycerides and blood pressure, reduced body dissatisfaction, higher self-esteem, greater life satisfaction, more variety in the foods they consume, and they find more pleasure from eating. Eating and moving intuitively will be freeing and open up your life in so many ways, while diets (and eating disorders) isolate you. And that freedom issustainable, unlike diets.
What can I expect from working with Allegra?
Whether this is your first time working with a dietitian and you're feeling a little hesitant, or you've worked with a dietitian before and are simply looking for a different approach, Allegra is ready to meet you where you're at in your health journey. Allegra is committed to providing compassionate and collaborative outpatient care, that is 100% customized to your individual needs and goals. Allegra's personable and relatable, yet professional counseling style helps her connect with her clients in a genuine and effective way, ultimately allowing them to succeed in their work together.
Sessions with Allegra feel welcoming and safe, giving clients the space and time to talk about what's on their mind, and process their thoughts and emotions in a supportive environment. Allegra is dedicated to getting to know each of her clients on an individual level and to make them feel understood and empowered to improve their relationships with food, body, and self.
The amount of appointments you need with Allegra will depend on your goals and how much support you need to reach them. For individuals in eating disorder recovery or working to heal their relationship with food, the nutrition work is often part of a bigger, longer journey and can take years of sessions before you feel like you're "done." For others with more specific or shorter-term goals, you may find that you’re able to make steady progress and feel ready to move on in just a few months. You and Allegra will determine the best frequency of your visits as you go along.