Autoimmune Disorders

Hashimoto’s Hypothyroidism, Graves Disease Hyperthyroidism, Celiac Disease, Rheumatoid Arthritis, POTS syndrome, Multiple Sclerosis

• Is fatigue a daily battle despite taking medications to control your autoimmune disease?

• Do you feel signs of inflammation like swelling, pain or stiffness in your joints and muscles?

• Perhaps brain fog or digestive issues interrupt your daily functioning. 

The cause of autoimmune disease remains mostly unknown.  And while you may take medication to manage symptoms and prevent further damage to the affected areas of the body, lifestyle changes can make a marked improvement when it comes to day-to-day functioning.  In our sessions there will be opportunities to explore functional labs tests like stool testing, adrenal stress testing, organic acid tests and food sensitivity testing.  We’ll look beyond the symptoms to uncover underlying imbalances in the body. And, together, we’ll tailor a step-by-step strategy using diet, supplements, stress management and movement to manage your symptoms. 

Chronic Disease

Hypertension, Hyperlipidemia, Heart Disease, Diabetes, Prediabetes

• Have you been recently diagnosed with a chronic disease?

• Would you like other ways of managing your health besides medication or maybe just to reduce the amount of medication you are taking?

• Would you like to prevent further complications and feel more in control of your health?

• Do you want to simply feel better, more energized and passionate about life? 

Inflammation is a key driver of metabolic dysfunction.  Chronic low-grade inflammation is associated with insulin resistance and cardiovascular disease.  The food we eat, our gut health, our sleep, stress, and environment (think toxins and endocrine disruptors) all fill up our “inflammation bucket” leading to chronic disease in the body.  While your doctor might give you a medication prescription to manage diabetes, high blood pressure or high cholesterol we will work on a “lifestyle prescription” to help you feel empowered and in charge of your health.  In our sessions we’ll discuss different dietary approaches to control chronic inflammation as well as supplements that target cardiometabolic activity and glycemic control.  There will be an opportunity to look at functional blood markers such as an advance lipid profile, or performing stool testing or sex and adrenal hormone testing – both of which contribute to the inflammatory response of the body.  We’ll also explore using continuous glucose monitors and learn how food, exercise and stress impact blood sugar.   In working together you’ll feel more confident in how your day-to-day choices lead to a longer, healthy life.

Weight Management

Chronic dieting, Weight goals

• Have you tried almost anything and it just doesn’t work?

• Do you stick to a plan for a few weeks and then break, feeling a sense of failure and disappointment?

• Do you notice unhealthy eating or exercise habits that stem from chronic dieting, stepping on the scale too often, or obsessing about weight?

• Is your doctor always on your case about losing weight, perhaps threatening medication to control blood pressure, cholesterol or blood sugars?

• Do you just want to find a balance between health and pleasure? 

We all know what to do to lose weight.  Eat less, move more… right?  Wrong. The health industry has told you lies that simply destroy your metabolism and the trust you have in your own body.  There can be many reasons why the plans you have chosen in the past have failed.  Maybe they were too restrictive or too intense or maybe you just didn’t have time for what it required of you. Perhaps you did the plan perfectly, without the results to show for it!  In our sessions, you’ll learn about metabolism - how food becomes energy within the body and what can go wrong in certain metabolic systems that lead to weight loss resistance.  We’ll discuss labs that your doctor may have done and explore functional tests that might lead to some answers including genetic testing, stool tests, hormone testing, and organic acid tests.  Together we’ll come up with a plan to include diet, supplements and other lifestyle factors like sleep, stress management and exercise that will help you reach your goals.

Hormonal Concerns or imbalances

PMOS, Perimenopause/Menopause, Infertility

• Are you experiencing symptoms of perimenopause such as brain fog, joint pain, irritability or anxiety, fatigue, poor recovery, hot flashes, and low libido? 

• Are your periods painful, frequent or just non-existent? 

• Do you feel defeated with hair thinning, unwanted facial hair, or acne?

• Have you been unable to conceive and wonder if nutrition or metabolic factors could be playing a role?

The female reproductive system is an ever-changing complex web of hormones.  With such complexity comes a great nutritional need.  Nutrients act as the building blocks for hormones, and key nutrients are required to transport and regulate them.  Without a strong nutritional foundation, hormones can go haywire.  And, although we don’t think about it, hormones also need to be removed from the body – introducing even more organ systems than just our reproductive system. There is a lot to unpack in our sessions when it comes to hormone imbalances, or the slow loss of them.  Together we may do genetic screening, DUTCH sex hormone and adrenal testing, thyroid tests, and may also look into stool testing.  Then, we lay out a specific plan just for you, focusing on nutrients needed to support hormone production, regulation and excretion.  We’ll also dive into inflammation, sleep, stress management, and supplements to fill in the gaps and support your every changing body.  You’ll finish our sessions knowing a lot more about your body and feeling confident in day-to-day decisions that impact your long-term health journey.

Nutrtion for mental health

ADHD, Depression, Anxiety, Cognitive Decline, Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia

• Have you been diagnosed with a mental illness such as depression, anxiety, ADHD/ADD or PTSD? 

• Would you like to learn how to food and nutrition can substantially decrease your symptoms and improve quality of life?

• Do you need someone to walk with you on your health journey?  Help you make goals, empower and lead you in the right direction?

• Are you looking to come off medications and need diet and lifestyle to be a strong component of that journey? 

I wish more people knew about the important role our diet has on our mental wellbeing.  Nutrition gives the body the building blocks it needs to function as synergistic system and is essential for synchronizing the body’s systems on a cellular level.  Without it, systems fall apart, inflammation (not only in the body, but the brain) overtakes, the basic function of digestion, absorption and excretion can be impacted, and our mood and energy levels are affected.  In our sessions we’ll focus on nutritional deficiencies and the gut microbiome to optimize brain function, mood regulation, energy and inflammation.  We might explore things such a mold or other environmental toxicities.  Stool tests, amino acid testing, and toxin analysis could be a part of our plan as we being to uncover a root cause for how you feel.  Moving forward, we’ll make a plan covering nutrition, physical activity, sleep, stress management, social connection and other strategies to get you moving on a path to wellness.   

Pediatric nutrition and family feeding

• Tired of making multiple meals for you and your children?

• Concerned about what or how much your children eat?

• Unsure how to handle picky eating and unwanted behaviors at mealtime?

• Overwhelmed by meal planning?

Nutrition and feeding is one of the most important jobs as a parent. The endless amount of information, the endless choices, and overwhelming pressure make this job confusing! Additionally, there’s little support and no real training in how to feed a family. It is my job to guide you with strategies that are simple, practical and successful. During these sessions we’ll address topics such as: creating a framework for meals and snacks, creating a positive meal environment, introducing solids, picky eating, over or under eating, incorporating fun foods, trusting your child’s eating, cooking and shopping, movement, and any other concerns you have about your child’s or your family’s eating patterns. The goal is that you leave each session feeling like you have a plan going forward, education to back it up, and confidence that you can see that plan through.

Prenatal Nutrition

Whether this is your first or fifth pregnancy, congratulations and welcome to one of the most awe-inspiring, yet challenging, phases of life. During these nine months your body is demanding more of you than ever. You might have questions about what to eat, what to avoid, weight gain, supplements, side-effects of pregnancy (low energy, constipation, nausea, cravings, etc.), blood sugar or blood pressure management, or even gut health testing. In our sessions we’ll ensure that your nutrient status is balanced and that you are meeting all prenatal goals. We’ll tailor a plan to meet your individual wellness goals during pregnancy, and address any of your nutrition concerns. The goal is that you leave each session feeling like you have a plan going forward, education to back it up, and confidence that you can see that plan through.

 Insurance and Payment

• Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC - as of July 18, 2021

• Aetna - as of July 8, 2024

Questions to ask your insurance Company

Not all plans cover nutrition visits. It’s best to call your insurance company and ask them if MNT (medical nutrition therapy) is covered. Here are some questions to ask:

• Is MNT a covered benefit with codes 97802 and 97803?

• Does MNT require a doctor’s referral?

• Are any diagnosis codes required?

• How many visits are covered per calendar year? It this calendar year or term year?

• Is telehealth covered?

• Is there a copay?

• Is this subject to my deductible?

If your insurance is not listed or if nutrition services are not covered, I can provide you with an insurance superbill that can be submitted to your insurance company for possible reimbursement.

Self-Pay Rates

30 - minute session: $75.00

60 - minute session: $150.00