My Philosophy
Food addiction is a complex issue, but I can help make it easier.
Many people refuse to acknowledge that food addiction is real, yet we have a society living with obesity, and dying of preventable diseases that willpower wasn’t enough to prevent. There have been numerous studies that have shown, certain foods cause a similar reaction to the same pleasure centers of the brain, as addictive drugs.
I want you to succeed! I want you to be healthy and free of addiction and the toll it has likely already taken on your life. This will take a massive lifestyle change, but you CAN do it.
I will help!
As an integrative health practitioner, I look at the whole person. Our bodies are complex systems. Food addiction isn’t usually as simple as cutting out a food group or exercising willpower. Often, people are fighting against underlying nutritional deficiencies, food sensitivities (which can cause cravings), hormonal imbalances, emotional triggers, etc. I believe in looking at the person as a whole, and customizing a plan for the individual, that fits their needs and personal preferences.
Lifestyle Change
My program can easily incorporate your dietary preferences. Yes, we can work together if you are, or wish to be: paleo, vegetarian, vegan, carnivore, low carb, high carb, etc. Together we will form a plan that aligns with your goals and values.
Together, will make tweaks to customize this program to fit you.
In order to successfully remove addictive behaviors and their consequences, we must remove the source. It can seem daunting to consider life without your favorite treats. The good news is that tastebuds adapt, dopamine receptors heal, cravings die off, and your new life will be much more rewarding than those treats ever were.
Lifestyle includes more than looking at diet and exercise. Lifestyle change includes looking at an individual’s stress, mindset, toxins, environment, history, supplemental needs, sleep and recovery. All of these elements are important to your success. This will all be incorporated into your wellness plan!
Functional Lab Testing
Running functional labs is not essential for optimal health, but it can be a helpful tool to discover how to best support your body. Addressing deficiencies and imbalances can uncover answers to cravings, difficulties losing weight, and other symptoms possibly even unrelated to food addiction.
It can be very validating to see proof of what has been causing your current ailments, cravings, and struggles with weight loss/gain.
Emotional Support
One of the benefits of working with a health coach, is that you have someone on your team, cheering you on and holding you accountable. I’m in it with you, and I come from a place of respect and non-judgement. My goal is to educate, support, and empower you on YOUR personal journey!
At-Home Wellness
I offer phone and video appointments, which allows you a level of privacy and convenience. All discussions will remain confidential.
Labs are shipped directly to your door and come complete with detailed instructions, easy to understand results, a follow up review and personalized recommendations.
Physiological imbalances can derail your journey by leading to cravings or hindering your long-term success by damaging your health.
Here's what to lookout for:
Nutritional Deficiencies
A highly-processed diet not only leads to weight gain and cravings, but can also lead to nutritional deficiencies. These deficiencies can negatively impact our neurotransmitters and hormones, which disrupts hunger cues.
Find one study here.
Food Intolerances
Ingesting foods that we are allergic/intolerant to, puts our immune system in overdrive, which leads to chronic inflammation. Inflammation impairs the brain’s ability to receive leptin’s appetite-suppressing messages.
Find one study here.
Gut Bacteria
Microbes in the gastrointestinal tract can influence how full we feel, what we crave, and change our taste receptors. Poor gut health also negatively impacts our neurotransmitters and hormones, which exacerbates the problem.
Find one study here.
Neurotransmitters
4 neurotransmitters that play a significant role in appetite suppression, include: dopamine, serotonin, acetylcholine, and GABA. An imbalance of these hormones can lead to a lack of control of one’s appetite and binge eating.
Find one study here.
Hormones
Hormones have many jobs, and one of those jobs is to produce sensations of appetite and satiety. Hormones also play a role in impulse control. Having balanced hormones is imperative to overcoming any addiction, including food addiction.
Find one study here.
Environmental Toxins
Environmental toxins can lead to insulin resistance, increased inflamation, decreased thyroid function and damaged mechanisms by which neuro-regulatory signals control our appetite, which can lead to obesity.
Find one study here.