Hello, and welcome to my website. As an accredited practicing dietitian, I am aware that for many people, seeing someone like me might induce a sense of guilt or shame. They may feel guilty about their dietary patterns, love of food, or weight. Unfortunately, we dietitians are often viewed as the so-called “food police”, enforcing strict diet rules and rendering judgement about other people’s weight. We may even be held up as models – people who can somehow follow a pristine diet without struggle, and who bear the solution to all one’s weight problems. Frankly, these are myths, and damaging ones at that. I’m here to unpack and challenge them.

Firstly, dietitians are not the “food police”! Nutritional guidelines are not upheld as laws, of which one can fall afoul. They can guide our food choices, but they need to be held lightly enough to allow us flexibility and enjoyment of food. If we adhere to such guidelines too tightly, we won’t give ourselves the permission to eat simply for pleasure, or engage freely in the joys of social eating. Furthermore, we can be left feeling guilty when we break them and lead to disordered eating patterns.

Secondly, Jessica does not judge or treat people differently because of their weight. We live in a society where many people consider weight to be the most important determinant or reflection of health. It’s also a society that judges a person’s character and value by their weight and shape. By contrast, Jessica aligns herself with the HAES (Health At Every Size) model, and wants to empower people to pursue health regardless of their weight. She treats all people with dignity and respect, as weight does not determine one’s value or worth. Moreover, research shows that 90-95% of diets fail, and that many people who focus on weight-loss end up cycling through a series of diets – a trap that can cause weight gain, create a sense of failure, or impact one’s mental health. Recognizing these risks, Jessica follows the HAES and Non-Dieting approach – focuses on improving health from a holistic perspective and through sustainable behavioural change.

Thank you for dropping by; please contact me if you have any questions, or if you’d like to book an appointment with me to work on your health and nutrition goals.