Holly’s initial interest in nutrition resulted in getting a diagnosis of SVT (supra ventricular tachycardia) in elementary school. She quickly gained appreciation for the mind-body connection and learned how the foods she ate influenced her physiology.
Holly enjoys teaching patients about how not only their eating habits, but also their mental and physical health, influences their overall quality of life. Prior to joining the Culina Health team, Holly has worked as a clinical dietitian in an acute care setting as well as an outpatient setting, and she also has experience working in gyms with athletes.
Go-to morning beverage: Green tea with Manuka honey
Favorite thing to purchase at the farmer’s market: Kale or a nice loaf of seedy sourdough
Favorite nutrient-packed snack: Sardines with mustard and hot sauce (on crackers, of course)
Favorite book: Tie between Into The Wild by Jon Krakauer or Man’s Search For Meaning by Viktor Frankl
What’s one small thing someone can do today to work toward a balanced eating pattern/lifestyle? Think of every meal as a new opportunity to make a mindful choice. Focus on inclusion of a lean source of protein and ensure you accompany it with a source of fiber.
A habit you swear by: Make sure you’re eating enough protein at every meal. This will promote satiety, control sugar cravings, and help you maintain a healthy weight.
Nutrition philosophy in a nutshell: Nutrition is an art based on science. One’s diet should be individualized based on their likes, dislikes, past medical history, and current goals; moreover, it should be designed on the foundation of evidence-guided principles.
Nutrition myth or trend you find particularly annoying and would like to set the record straight:
Greens powders are not evidence-based and are a waste of money. The compounds in these products are exposed to both acidic and basic conditions as a part of normal digestion, which alters the compound and can ultimately change the metabolic activity of the original ingredient.
It is also unlikely that our enterocytes have specific transporters for these compounds; moreover, it’s unclear of how much is actually absorbed.
Lastly, it’s difficult to absorb the polyphenols from these compounds in a sufficient amount to have an efficacious effect on the body. When these compounds are extracted, the fiber is removed, which is one of the most healthful aspects of the food.
Language(s):
English
Education:
Bachelor of Science in Dietetics, James Madison University
Dietetic Internship:
Sodexo Dietetic Internship
Counseling Style:
Empathetic
Compassionate
Practical
Solution-Oriented
Science-Heavy
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