When did you decide you wanted to be a nutritionist?
I've always had an interest in the health field. After taking an introductory class in nutrition in my sophomore year, I decided to pursue it as a major.

What defines your personal style as a nutritionist? Why do people come to see you instead of others?
People come to see me because my eating plans are not rigid. I tailor all my plans to the individual person. I don't make people avoid or include certain foods in their diets. My goal is to get someone to eat healthier, but I get to that goal in small steps. If too much change is forced on a person, they won't be able to sustain it. So I am flexible and encouraging. I tend to have very good success with my patients!

What are the latest trends in the field of nutrition and dietetics?
I think many people are finally realizing that calories are most important when it comes to weight control. This is more important than "low carb" or "low fat." Also, people are paying more attention to food additives and are leaning more towards organic food. We are also more interested in consuming whole grains versus processed foods.

What does your daily diet consist of? Do you practice what you preach?
I naturally gravitate towards nutritious foods and enjoy eating a healthy diet. I feel that I practice what I preach. My typical diet consists of:

Breakfast - Fage 2% yogurt, flaxseed, blueberries, strawberries and a fiber cereal.

Lunch: generally a salad with several different vegetables, grilled chicken, balsamic vinaigrette dressing.
Snacks: may include one or more of the following: yogurt, fruit, almonds, pirate's booty, energy bar.

Dinner: if going out, usually fish or sushi, salad, vegetables. If I cook it's grilled chicken, turkey burger, egg white omelet, vegetables, maybe brown rice or whole wheat pasta.

What are your beverages of choice?
I drink a lot of water during the day. I drink tea on occasion and 2 cups of coffee a day. I never drink soda and rarely have artificially sweetened beverages (although I do use splenda in coffee.)

If there was one food you could all ban from our diets, what would it be?
I don't like to "forbid" foods, but I would have to say trans fats.

When you are dining out, what meal choices do you gravitate towards?
I tend to gravitate towards some kind of seafood. I rarely eat chicken when I'm out because I can cook that at home. I order meat on occasion and pasta once in a while. 95% of the time it is seafood.

Have you noticed a trend in the culinary field towards better nutrition? How are restaurant menus evolving?
Definitely! One example is that trans fats have been banned in some cities. Another example is that you can find more whole grains on menus. There are more organic products available in grocery stores and on menus. Many chefs are cooking with a lighter style, using more flavorful ingredients and less fat.

What are the most dangerous eating habits common among Americans?
Eating too many meals "on the run" meals on the run are often excessive in fats, sodium and calories. They also tend to be processed, low in nutrients, fiber and vitamins and minerals.

You teach a lot to your clients about nutrition, what have you learned from them?
I have learned a lot about why people eat. This in turn, has taught me some behavior modification "tricks" to help them change their eating behaviors. I have learned how to really listen to my clients and find out what makes them "tick" when it comes to eating. This enables me to determine how to motivate them to change. Most people know what to eat; the key is to find a way to get them to do it!

I want to lose weight, should I take diet pills?
No! The only real way to lose weight and keep it off is to consume fewer calories and exercise on a regular basis. You need to work on making permanent changes in your eating and exercise behaviors. Diet pills, if they work at all, are only a short term fix. In addition, some diet pills can be dangerous.

I am on a diet, what should I eat? What should I avoid?
In order to lose weight, you need to consume fewer calories than what you burn off. For a typical woman, that might be 1200-1500 calories a day for weight loss and for a man 1700-1900 or so. Ideally, you should eat three meals a day with a healthy snack or two in between. I don't prescribe standard diets. Instead weight loss plans need to be tailored towards the individuals likes, dislikes, schedules, etc. Ideally the eating plan would consist of healthy foods, such as whole grains, fruits, vegetables, non or low fat dairy, heart healthy fats and lean proteins. Processed and sugary foods should be limited.

Can vitamins replace the nutrients we are supposed to get from food?
No, they can't replace nutrients we get from foods. Food provides other nutrients needed for health (like antioxidants, phytochemicals and fiber, etc.) It is difficult to get the right balance from a pill. Food provides the proper balance. Of course, we can use vitamins to supplement certain nutrients that we can't obtain adequately from food.

What should I eat to boost my energy level?
1. Eat at regular meal times. Going too long without eating will cause you to get low blood sugar, which in turn will decrease energy levels.
2. Avoid sugary foods as they may cause an initial burst of energy—but this will be followed by a crash.
3. Ideally combine some protein and/or fat with a higher fiber carb for example, peanut butter on an apple, this combination will provide sustained energy.

If you were to teach us all one good rule about healthy eating what would it be?
Try to eat as few processed foods as possible. Focus on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, heart healthy fats, and lean protein. However, I don't believe in "forbidding" certain foods—just eat them in moderation!