Your Nutrition Expert

05/22/2026

May is Celiac Awareness Month! Most people diagnosed with celiac disease are sick for years before a proper diagnosis. It's tough to get a proper diagnosis or get comprehensive care once diagnosed. Most primary care providers know little about important follow up tests to determine your long-term treatment needs.

The U.S. food supply makes it quite difficult to be 100% gluten free, which is the only treatment once diagnosed. Cross-contact is common and leads to suboptimal or overt nutrition deficiencies. This often leads to recommendations of just taking more supplements instead of figuring out where you are being exposed. It's important to work with practitioners that fully understand your needs and the challenges of living gluten free. If you don't remove the exposure, you will continue to suffer (and supplements won't fix it). Also, some people suffer from refractory celiac disease, a complicated form of celiac disease that does not improve even after following a strict gluten-free diet.

If you are following a gluten free diet but don't feel your best, reach out to providers that work in this space and can provide the proper guidance. I am a dietitian living with celiac disease. I know how hard it is to feel better and get the right care! Appointments available at:

https://virtualnutritionist.co/

04/20/2026

Are you living on processed protein bars and expensive coffee drinks with fancy syrups? It's time to work more real food into the mix. Your gut will thank you! Next time you're at the store load up on some raspberries and use them for more than your next snack. Add interest to your water or your next dessert with them as well.

Raspberries can be a great way to infuse some flavor into your water. They also make a great homemade "nice cream" that provides several powerful antioxidants. Yay! Try out this simple recipe (makes 4 servings):

1 1/2 cups Frozen Raspberries
1 tbsp Maple Syrup
1 1/2 cups Canned Coconut Milk (full fat, refrigerated overnight)

Scrape the coconut cream from the top of the can into a blender or food processor. The cream should have separated from the coconut juice after being refrigerated. Add the raspberries and maple syrup and blend until very smooth and creamy, occasionally scraping down the sides. You may add 1 tbsp of coconut water at a time (leftover from your can) if the blender/processor gets stuck and needs some liquid to thin out the mixture. Do not add more than 1/3 cup of liquid. Scoop into a bowl and enjoy immediately as soft serve or for firmer ice cream, place in an airtight, freezer-safe container and freeze for at least 1 hour before scooping. Each serving contains approximately 200 calories, 16g fat, 12g carbs, and 2g protein.

Check out more free recipes and meal plans on my Eat Smart Blog!🍨

https://virtualnutritionist.co/blog/eat-smart

04/17/2026

Elevate your morning bowl of oats without relying on chalky, processed protein powders. If you’re looking for a high-protein oatmeal to start your day, the "secret ingredient" is likely already in your fridge: egg whites. Yes, you can add them to your oatmeal while cooking (to make a quick but energy dense meal for busy adults). Starting your day with this power duo changes the game for your energy levels. Fiber (from the oats) slows down digestion, while protein (from the egg whites) suppresses hunger hormones. Together, they keep you full until lunch! Up the fiber and protein content even further by adding a bit of peanut butter and chia seeds🥰

Try This Recipe:
1/2 cup Oats (quick or rolled)
1/2 cup Water
1/2 cup Egg Whites
1 tsp Honey
1 tbsp All Natural Peanut Butter
1 1/2 tsps Chia Seeds
Sprinkle of Cinnamon (optional)

Add the oats, water, and egg whites to a small pot over medium heat, stirring continuously. Sprinkle in some cinnamon if desired. Cook for two to three minutes or until fluffy and cooked through. Transfer to a bowl and swirl in the honey. Top with peanut butter and chia seeds. Enjoy!

Approximately 375 calories, 13g Fat, 40g Carbs, 23g Protein, and 7g Fiber🥣

Get more free recipes on my Eat Smart Blog🥗

https://virtualnutritionist.co/blog/eat-smart

04/04/2026

Between school drop-offs, work responsibilities, and everything else life throws your way, figuring out what’s for dinner can feel like one more overwhelming task. But with a little planning and the right support, meal planning can shift from stressful to empowering. Check out my new blog post and get a free download of go-to recipes that work for busy moms!

https://virtualnutritionist.co/blog/eat-smart/meal-planning-for-busy-moms

03/31/2026

Should I start the day with a smoothie? This is a good question! Fueling your morning doesn’t have to be a complicated production. If you’re looking for a quick, nutrient-dense way to kickstart your day, a well-balanced smoothie is a total game-changer.👏

But how do we make a well-balanced smoothie? Not all options are created equal. If you just toss five types of fruit into a blender, you’re basically drinking a delicious glass of sugar that will leave you crashing by 10:00 AM. Here is how to build a smoothie that actually keeps you full and focused:

When you blend fruit, the mechanical action of the blades breaks down the fiber. This means your body absorbs the fruit sugars much faster than if you ate the fruit whole. So, blend a small amount of fruit with some greens and add nuts or seeds (like chia, flax, or h**p). These provide healthy fats and additional fiber that can slow down digestion and help stabilize your blood sugar.

Also, make sure to get enough protein! Use a high-quality protein powder, Greek yogurt, or silken tofu. Protein is the "anchor" that keeps you satiated. Keep calories in check by choosing the right liquid base (like unsweetened almond milk). Check out my website blog for lots of free meal plans and a breakfast recipe download if you need some smoothie ideas.🥤✨

https://virtualnutritionist.co/

03/30/2026

Learn how to incorporate more whole-foods-based meals to help you feel good physically and mentally! Get free meal plans and recipes on my Eat Smart Blog🍎

https://virtualnutritionist.co/

Human metabolism is complex. What works for a marathon runner may not work for someone managing PCOS or someone healing from a strained relationship with food. A dietitian who supports various approaches understands that nutrition is a spectrum, not a single lane.

Follow this page for help from someone who uses a broad toolkit and the ability to help clients pivot if one method isn't sticking when trying to improve health behaviors.

03/13/2026

If you’ve ever felt like you’re doing everything "right" but the scale won't budge, you aren't alone. Changing your weight is rarely as simple as "eat less, move more"—biology, hormones, and habits all play a role.

That’s where a registered dietitian comes in. Think of them as a GPS for your metabolism. Dietitians don't just give you a list of "good" and "bad" foods. They help you build a sustainable relationship with eating so you don't feel deprived.

If you've been thinking about using GLP-1 medications, getting help with meal planning can make a huge difference in your progress. Check out my website for free meal plans, one-on-one visits, and my new collaboration with GobyMeds for access to reasonably priced GLP-1 medications.

https://virtualnutritionist.co/

02/22/2026

Did you know you can make flourless pancakes out of peanut butter?! Get 10 grams of protein in less than 250 calories and only 8 grams of carbs with this tasty recipe leaving you room to top them with whatever works for you😘

Recipe makes 2 servings of 2 small pancakes each:

1/4 cup All Natural Peanut Butter
2 tbsps Unsweetened Almond Milk
1 Egg
1/2 tsp Baking Powder
1/2-1 tsp Coconut Oil (or oil of preference for the pan)

In a bowl, whisk the peanut butter, almond milk, and egg together until a smooth batter forms. Stir in the baking powder. Heat a pan over medium heat and when hot add the oil. Spoon the batter into the pan to form small pancakes. Cook pancakes for about two to four minutes per side or until golden brown and cooked through. Repeat with the remaining batter adding more oil to the pan as needed. Enjoy!

Variations: try almond butter (did that this morning) or make 2 large pancakes instead of 4 small ones. It's easy to adjust this simple recipe. I like mine topped with a little raspberry jam and egg whites on the side. It's a really filling way to start the day.

02/21/2026

One of my favorite documentaries to recommend to my clients came out in 2024. It's an easy watch and really teaches you about the importance of protecting your gut health. If you're looking for inspiration to start taking care of yourself and eating more whole foods, check it out!

In the new doc, four people undergo an experiment that may be … hard to digest.

02/10/2026

Visit my friend's event in Chicago!