When I was 5 months pregnant, I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes. Before being diagnosed, I dealt with chronic stress, uncertainty, low self-esteem, isolation, and a whole lot of identity crises. The few days leading up to my diagnosis I was binging ice cream and pizza.  My excuse was that I was eating for two - but really, I was extremely depressed (but eating for two sounded better and felt easier to accept).

 

I met with a dietitian and instead of helping me understand what was going on with my body,  she made me feel as if it were my fault. She talked AT me instead of with me. I was told I was gaining weight too fast (I had gained 12 lbs in 3 months). Mind you, I’m growing an entire human inside of me... imagine being told you're gaining weight too fast while pregnant! She told me what I couldn't eat instead of teaching me to eat things that would nourish me and my unborn child. And as if everything she'd said to me wasn't enough - I now had to start monitoring my blood sugar after every meal. 

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I began to research everything I could about diabetes, food, sugar addiction, how to reverse diabetes, how to properly support my body - you name it, I was researching it. The day I had my son, was the day I started a plant-based lifestyle and it was the best decision I have ever made for both myself and my son.

 

I ended up getting my certification from the Nutritional Therapy Association and found my passion for helping people who are struggling, by learning how to manage my own struggle.

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My health journey is forever ongoing - I get tested every year for diabetes. I still struggle believe it or not (A LOT) with my blood sugar because I still struggle with binge eating and stress.  Thankfully, I now have the tools to effectively manage my stress levels.  This doesn't mean I never stress, but being more in tune with my body means stressful situations, and stress in general no longer alters my energy to the point that I have no control over it. Food is the one thing I can control that doesn't make me feel powerless. Understanding the power of REAL food and how to make food work FOR my body is what I am passionate about teaching others.

 

I refuse to leave people struggling in the dark. Because I've been there, and I understand how that feels. I now have the knowledge, the tools, and the connection to this condition to not only help people overcome diabetes, but deal with feeling low self-esteem, feeling a loss of self-control, and the thought that diabetes is a losing battle. 

 

You don't have to live with diabetes for the rest of your life. Unfortunately, the fact that diabetes and heart disease are both preventable and reversible is some big kept secret. Welp -  the secret is out now. Don't believe me? Do your research. There are people every day deciding to take their health back into their own hands. You can too. I am here to guide you, listen to you, and help you navigate this thing in the best way possible for YOU.

 

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I've been where you are. And in many ways, I'm still there with you. But I'm also here to tell you that you can be wherever you want to be. Together through nutrition, we will help you overcome any obstacles in your way.

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