Navigating Weight Concerns with Expert Dietitian Guidance
Weight-Inclusive Care
Food Relationship Support
Body Image Support
How a Dietitian Can Help with Your Weight Concerns
It is completely understandable for individuals to seek nutrition counselling with the goal of weight loss. With our dieting culture and thin/fit-obsessed world we live in today, many of us feel pressure to be a certain body weight, shape or size.
This pressure can often come from friends, family, social media and even medical professionals. The terms weight and health are often used interchangeably, but did you know that improving your health does not have to focus on your weight at all?
What is the weight-inclusive approach?
This approach emphasizes and promotes health at diverse body sizes. So rather than focusing solely on weight loss, I help clients develop a positive relationship with food, build healthier habits, and set realistic goals. My goal is to promote long-term health and well-being, emphasizing gradual changes that support overall physical and mental wellness, rather than quick fixes or restrictive diets that often lead to weight regain.
How can we measure progress without weight?
Rather than focusing on the number on the scale, calories, clothing size and other dieting rules, together, you and I can focus on the healthy behaviours we know impact health.
We will look to optimize energy levels, manage stress, improve sleep hygiene, regulate digestion, correct nutritional deficiencies, improve mood and stamina and ensure you are meeting your nutritional needs while supporting a healthy relationship with food and your body.
If positive changes are made and it lends itself to weight loss, then that is just your body responding. It is also possible your weight stays exactly the same or goes up, unfortunately we cannot predict how your body will respond when it is being cared for.
If you are ready to ditch diet culture and live a lifestyle without food or body shame, book an appointment with an experienced dietitian to start your journey
What is Food Relationship?
Food relationship refers to the way an individual interacts with food, encompassing both their emotional and psychological connection to eating. This relationship can be positive, where food is seen as nourishment and an opportunity to enjoy flavors and cultures, or it can be more complicated, involving feelings of guilt, stress, or anxiety. A healthy food relationship is built on balance, mindfulness, and self-awareness, allowing people to listen to their bodies’ hunger cues and enjoy food without shame or restriction.
On the other hand, an unhealthy food relationship may involve disordered eating patterns, such as overeating, bingeing, emotional eating, or chronic dieting.
Signs you might be struggling with your relationship to food:
- Skipping meals to "save calories"
- Counting calories
- You can't keep your favourite foods in the house
- You feel guilty after eating certain foods
- You use exercise as a way to "burn off"
How can a dietitian help improve my food relationship?
- Encourage intuitive eating practices
- Address any emotional or psychological barriers that may affect food choices
- Create a personalized nutrtion plan that encourages healthy eating without food restrictions to help reach your goals
Are you ready to start your journey to a healthy food relationship?
What to Expect When Working with a Dietitian Using a Weight-Inclusive Approach
Working with a dietitian who takes a weight-inclusive, non-diet approach is different from traditional dieting programs. The focus is on improving your relationship with food, your body, and your overall well-being, rather than on losing weight. Here’s what you can expect:
- A Safe, Non-Judgmental Space
- Exploration of Your Relationship with Food
- Body Image Support
- Practical, Personalized Guidance
- Skill-building and Empowerment
- Progress at Your Pace
More Conditions We Support
- Digestive Health
- Chronic Disease (diabetes, heart health, kidney health and more)
- Eating Disorder/Disordered Eating
- Mental Health Nutrition
- Women's Health (PCOS, hormonal health, endometriosis, menopause)
- Prental Nutrition
- General Health & Balanced Eating
Weight-Inclusive Care FAQs
A weight-inclusive approach focuses on health, habits, and well-being rather than weight loss. It respects all body sizes and aims to improve your relationship with food and your body without dieting.
Weight loss can sometimes happen naturally as you build healthier habits, like nourishing your body adequately, moving in ways that feel enjoyable, and easing restrictive patterns. The focus is on helping you develop a balanced, sustainable approach to eating and lifestyle that supports your overall well-being, confidence, and energy — and any changes in weight are simply a side effect of these positive changes.
Instead of prescribing restrictive diets or focusing on weight, the focus is on balanced eating, mindful habits, and building trust with your body. You’ll learn practical skills that last, not quick fixes.
Yes! Whether it’s managing digestion, energy levels, menstrual health, or chronic conditions, your dietitian will provide personalized nutrition guidance that works for you — without focusing on the scale.
Common areas include:
- Understanding hunger and fullness cues
- Reducing food guilt or anxiety
- Building confidence around body image
- Navigating social eating and food-related stress
- Creating balanced, enjoyable meals
Progress looks different for everyone. Some people notice improvements in confidence and relationship with food within a few weeks, while building lasting habits may take longer. Your dietitian will support you at your own pace.
Yes. Weight-inclusive nutrition support can be helpful in reducing food-related stress, challenging restrictive patterns, and promoting a healthier relationship with food. If your needs require specialized care, your dietitian may also work with other healthcare providers.
