Passion for science.
Food is information. Nutrition should not be about just counting calories. It can and should be individualized. It is about understanding the biochemistry of each body, how it absorbs and processes nutrients. My mission is to translate the most reliable and safest scientific evidence to help you choose the right nutrition and lifestyle for the best health outcome possible, taking into account your genetic predisposition and background.
Passion for food.
I believe in delicious food. My passion for cooking comes from experimenting with ingredients in the kitchen to developing wholesome and nutritious meals based on my lifestyle and way of eating. Consuming healthy nutrient-dense foods can and should be celebrated as a way for the body and soul to feel happy and fulfilled. Additionally, food is biological information that sends signals to our bodies and genes, helping us transform our health inside out.
Passion for sharing.
Theory is great, but in life we need more than just that. Human relations depend on connecting to one another. Each person is in a different stage of their health journey. I care deeply about people and love to listen and understand their personal stories, helping each person to achieve their health goals. My role is to encourage and guide them in this exciting but sometimes challenging process of becoming a better version of themselves.
What is Functional Nutrition?
Nessa Nutrition is inspired by the model created by Institute of Functional Medicine (IFM). It is based on an individualized and patient-centered approach focusing on the person instead of the symptom. For instance, two people can have constant headaches for completely different reasons. Thus, the process involves working side by side with each patient to address the underlying causes of the symptom and promote optimal wellness. It requires a detailed understanding of each patients’ genetic, biochemical, and lifestyle factors, which ultimately leads to improved patient outcomes. There are no generic meal plans or handouts, because each individual person is different and the plan is created accordingly.
While functional nutrition honors the powerful nature of wholesome food, it also respects that there is more to health than what you eat. Exercise, sleep, stress, and daily habits, as well as emotions, do play an important role in your overall health. As a functional nutritional therapist, I will embrace your uniqueness and use it to tailor your individualized nutrition recommendations respecting your lifestyle and taking into account your own pace
How does it work?
No matter where you are in your path to a healthier and more fulfilling life, nutrition is an invaluable tool to be used alongside lifestyle factors, including stress management and exercise. Given that biochemistry varies greatly from one person to the next, a thorough investigation is done based on the patient medical history, body functions, symptoms, and frequent communication for better understanding of each individual’s need. Additionally, several tools can be applied to analyse your genetic predisposition, your metabolic health and your absorption of nutrients. We can use personalized lab testing, functional food as medicine, and lifestyle interventions to further your healing process. We work closely with you to find a nutrition plan that is realistic for your lifestyle, while also reducing unwanted symptoms and restoring balance in the body.
The journey to your objectives brings many lessons and shines a light on what else you get out of trying to reach your goals. The path is where you learn and grow. In some ways, achieving goals is just a by-product of your journey. Yes, you lose weight, but you also walk away with new healthy habits, not to mention the gratifying knowledge that you have what it takes.