My journey into dietetics all started with a love for food.
I mean, who doesn’t like food? It’s tasty, interesting, and everyone needs nourishment! Food was so fascinating to me, I knew that I wanted to do something with it in my life. Initially, my childhood dream was to become a chef, or some sort of cook/restaurant worker, but a few crucial things happened in my teenage years. Like many in that age – I wanted to fit in. I was always the “bigger” one of my friends, and with the explosion of the internet and ease of learning about diets and nutrition, I found my way of achieving that.
It seemed easy, pick out “carbs”, only eat fruits/vegetables and protein. No rice, no pasta, no bread, no eating out, no sauces…and the list went on and on. Did some weight come off? Yes…but so did many opportunities to spend time with my family, my grandparents, friends and many more. I was lighter, but I was so tired, unhappy, and even ended up hating food.
Honestly, I was lucky. It hit me only after sticking to this diet for just over half a year, that I realized I didn’t want to live this way. I was only a teenager, and I felt like I was missing out on life! I didn’t want to keep eating bland foods, missing out on birthdays and celebrations, removing all my cultural foods because it was deemed “unhealthy” by Western standards at the time. That’s when I realized how food, is both just food…but also so much more.
After encountering loved ones with nutrition-related illnesses, and the impact that dieting had on myself, I only saw the importance of food even more, including how a lack of education can lead to so many issues with food, culture, diet, and more.
Luckily, with a passion for food and cooking, driven to help others manage and prevent illnesses, and a love for science, I found the career of dietetics…it all just made sense.
Friends have always joked with me about with the way I eat, the way I look at each bite and focus on how it feels and tastes. To me, I think I’ve found a greater appreciation for food and the impact that it has.
Work with me to find how to incorporate your cultural foods with your health needs! Let’s find a balance.