Nutrition with Ivory
Eating Disorders & Disordered Eating
Eating disorders are severe and chronic mental and physical illness that impacts all bodies, no matter your age, size, gender, race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic background. Common signs and symptoms include: rigidity around eating; restrictive eating patterns including chronic dieting and cutting out entire food groups; eating in secret; fear, shame, and/or guilt around eating; social isolation driven by food avoidance or body shame; compensatory behaviors including compulsive exercise and purging; mood swings; constant fatigue; injuries from overexercise; and chronic gastrointestinal issues.
Eating disorders I work with include: Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, Binge Eating Disorder, Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID), Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorders (OSFED), and Orthorexia
People do not need to be “sick enough” in order to deserve care. Whether or not you have an eating disorder diagnosis, you deserve support in healing your relationship with food and your body. My ideal clients are folks who:
Have a history of chronic dieting and/or weight cycling and want to develop a sustainable and peaceful relationship with food
Want support with your intuitive eating journey - perhaps you’ve read some or all of the books but are wanting support on the application
Reject (or are trying to) diet culture (i.e., the set of social beliefs and expectations that worships thinness and falsely equates thinness = health and moral virtue), especially those who experience diet culture in multiple cultural contexts
Seek to reclaim mental space from constant thoughts or judgments about your physical appearance, feel more comfortable and confident in your body, and develop body image resilience
Teens & Young Adults
Teens and young adults have heightened nutritional needs due to the significant physical, mental, and emotional growth that occurs during adolescence. (Fun fact: Adolescence is the 2nd fastest growth period after infancy!) This period of critical growth is also characterized by increased desire for independence and greater brain maturity and self-awareness. At the same time, adolescents experience multiple significant transitions, from adjusting to new schools and greater academic pressures to body-related changes.
Transitions are hard - for everyone. Finding control in food, exercise, and our bodies can often show up as a way to cope. Exacerbated by the rise in social media use, teens and young adults are especially vulnerable to developing disordered eating patterns (e.g., skipping meals, dieting) and eating disorders as well as negative body image. Nutritional deficiencies and the development of an unhealthy relationship with food during adolescence can lead to lifelong consequences, including low bone density and/or osteoporosis, delayed sexual maturation, stunting and loss of mature adult height.
I specialize in working with teens and young adults, because I love the unique challenges and opportunities for growth with this population. It is incredibly fulfilling to me to know that the work I do not only have immediate value but also lasting impact. I also appreciate that my teen and young adult clients especially value my authenticity when working together. They show up as they are, and it reminds me to do the same.
Weight-Inclusive Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT)
Medical nutrition therapy (MNT) is an evidence-based process of using individualized nutrition interventions to prevent, delay, or manage certain health conditions, including but not limited to:
Diabetes or prediabetes
Cardiovascular concerns or dyslipidemia: high blood pressure, high cholesterol, high triglycerides
Kidney concerns: kidney stones, chronic kidney disease
Autoimmune disease: Celiac disease, Hashimoto’s, etc.
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
Gastrointestinal / digestive conditions: chronic diarrhea and/or constipation, GERD, inflammatory bowel disease, food allergies, etc.
Iron-deficiency anemia
When working with me, you can expect a non-diet, weight inclusive lens. Research and my clinical experience have shown me that focusing on weight loss is not effective for most individuals in the long run. In fact, it often leads to weight regain and cycling, disordered eating, and significant ruptures to our relationship with food and our body. Within our work, we will prioritize behaviors that directly impact your health and wellbeing, removing the emphasis and judgment of your weight or body shape/size.
Culturally-Inclusive Nutrition Counseling
Nutrition and healthy eating does not need to look like chicken breast and broccoli. I do not see any food as “good” or “bad”, and I certainly will not tell you to stop eating white rice. Food is such a core part of our experience and expression of culture, and I want to elevate this within our work together. While I am not familiar with all cultures and traditions, I am always curious to learn, if you’re willing to share. Let’s collaborate to define “healthy eating” for you based on unique needs, preferences, and lifestyle!
As an Asian dietitian, I have a strong passion toward supporting Asians and Pacific Islanders clients, who often experience mixed cultural messages about food and bodies. “Have you eaten yet?” is often quickly followed up with “Did you gain weight?” within the first 5 minutes of greeting relatives. Food can both be an expression of love (sliced fruit, anyone?) and a source of guilt or shame. Given this cultural context, it makes so much sense that your relationship with food can feel confusing, frustrating, and/or polarized. Within our work together, we will unpack and explore these various messages and how they influence your eating, challenge societal narratives that do not align with your values, and develop eating and self-care behaviors that prioritize your mental and physical health and wellbeing.
Nutrition for Athletes
Athletes are defined here as anyone who has a consistent movement practice and/or ongoing relationship with training and exercise. Whether you are training for your first 5k run or you are/were a competitive athlete, I see you as an athlete. Active individuals have increased nutritional demands. Nutrition plays an immense role in optimizing skill and performance, enhancing energy and muscle recovery, improving mental focus, and preventing injury and illness. Depending on your sport, there might also be a heightened emphasis on your weight or body appearance. Your relationship with movement can therefore intertwine with body image and your relationship with your body, with food somewhere in the mix! When working together, we will work together to explore ways to enhance nutrition for your athletic goals while maintaining a balanced and nourishing relationship with food, movement/training, and your body.