Frequently Asked Questions

Yes!! Check with your health insurance provider prior to your appointment as many cover the cost of dietitian services.

If your provider doesn't cover the cost, dietitian services are considered a tax-deductible medical expense.

Prior to meeting, you will receive a confidential electronic intake form to complete to provide me with your health history and concerns.  We will meet virtually over the computer through confidential PHIPPA compliant teleconferencing or over the phone.  I will review your intake form with you and together, we will create an individualized self-management support plan to support you in working towards your health goals.  You may be provided with education, resources, recipes or meal plans, as appropriate, at this appointment.

I have experience working with people living with a variety of different medically stable mental health conditions, as well as individuals living with medically stable anxiety and depression, other than diagnosed restrictive eating disorders like bulimia nervosa and anorexia nervosa. 

If you have a different mental health condition or chronic health condition (like diabetes, heart disease or obesity) and are looking for support, please book a free discovery call with me and we can see if working together is the right fit for your needs.  

If you have a diagnosed (or not yet diagnosed) restrictive eating disorder, there are other dietitians available that would be a better fit.  For a list of dietitians that specialize in eating disorders visit:

• Dietitians of Canada Find-a-dietitian  https://members.dietitians.ca/DCMember/s/find-dietitian?language=en_US

Resources other than your family doctor or nurse practitioners office:

• NEDIC https://nedic.ca/

There is a strong and ever-growing body of evidence around the affect our eating patterns and lifestyle have on our mental health - depression and anxiety in particular.  We will work together creating specific individualized goals that focus on your lifestyle and eating/lifestyle patterns (for example the Mediterranean diet) that have been proven to reduce inflammation, improve gut health and support/manage/treat your mood.  For a deeper dive into the research, see:

• Dietitians Support Mental Health (2019) https://www.dietitians.ca/DietitiansOfCanada/media/Documents/Resources/20-04-16-DC-Advocacy-Dietitians-Support-Mental-Health-EN.pdf?ext=.pdf
• Depression, Is It Treatable in Adults Utilizing Dietary Interventions? A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials (2022) https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14071398
• Nutrition and behavioral health disorders: depression and anxiety (2020) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8453603/
• An anti-inflammatory diet as a potential intervention for depressive disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis (2018) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30502975/
• A randomized controlled trial of dietary improvement for adults with major depression (the 'SMILES' trial) (2017)                https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28137247/
• A Mediterranean-style dietary intervention supplemented with fish oil improves diet quality and mental health in people with depression: A randomized controlled trial (HELFIMED) (2017)                                       https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29215971/
• Understanding nutrition, depression and mental illnesses (2008) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2738337/

Registered Dietitians (RDs) are highly trained food and nutrition experts, recognized in translating scientific, medical and nutrition information into practical lifestyle support.  When you receive services from a dietitian, like myself, you can expect safe, ethical, evidence-based quality care that has been individualized to your specific health needs. 

To become a dietitian, I completed an accredited 4-year Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Human Nutrition, an accredited dietetic internship as well as successfully completing the Canadian Dietetic Registration Examination.  

To use with letters "RD" or title "Registered Dietitian", a health professional must be registered with their provincial governing body (ie. the College of Dietitians of Ontario). The law restricts these titles (just like a Nurse or a Doctor) as well as having laws that govern RDs professional practice.  My name and other RD's can be found listed in the College's registry.

Registered Dietitians are the only nutrition professionals that are government regulated.

Individuals with different backgrounds can absolutely provide nutrition counselling however they might not have the same ethical or legal obligations if they are not registered through a professional College.  Also, they may or may not have adequate evidence-based training supporting their recommendations and support for your specific health needs.  

The term 'nutritionist' varies in its regulation - in Ontario, Canada this term is not regulated, meaning anyone can call themselves a nutritionist.  Certified Nutritional Practitioners or Registered Holistic Nutritionists are not government regulated healthcare providers.  

Before trusting someone with your health, it is recommended that you do some research around their background and qualifications.

For more information, visit College of Dietitians of Ontario at https://www.collegeofdietitians.org/home.aspx or Dietitians of Canada at https://www.dietitians.ca/  or About Dietitians - Unlock Food