Providing Virtual Care for Nutrition Counseling in Colorado, California, Michigan, and Arizona
Eating disorder support is possible
Nutrition Counseling with a Dietitian
Joyce Oliveira, RD, RDN
Joyce Oliveira, RD, RDN
Nutrition counseling is not just about telling you what to eat and how much... that is diet culture, which we already have plenty of !
We all have a story to go along with our relationship with food and our bodies. Some have happier healthier stories, some do not. My guess is, that by being here, your own personal story is probably one that has more sadness, anger, confusion, and stress around it than you would like.
We all have a story to go along with our relationship with food and our bodies. Some have happier, healthier stories, some do not. My guess is, that by being here, your own personal story is probably one that has more sadness, anger, confusion, and stress around it than you would like.
We all have a story to go along with our relationship with food and our bodies. Some have happier healthier stories, some do not. My guess is, that by being here, your own personal story is probably one that has more sadness, anger, confusion, and stress around it than you would like.
Welcome. I am so glad you are here.
There is a seat at the table, with your name on it, and you don't have to do anything to earn it... or keep it.
There is a seat at the table, with your name on it, and you don't have to do anything to earn it... or keep it.
Come sit for a while. Would you share your story with me?
Nutrition Counseling with a Dietitian
We all have a story to go along with our relationship with food and our bodies. Some have happier healthier stories, some do not. My guess is, that by being here, your own personal story is probably one that has more sadness, anger, confusion, and stress around it than you would like.
The good news is, there is a reason why you do what you do. Let' start here.
Eating disorders and dysfunctional behaviors serve us in some way, shape, or form, which is why we pick them up in the first place. Often times, they are picked up as a way to cope and to survive. A great analogy would be as if you were drowning in a river (life) and suddenly a log (disordered eating, dysfunctional behavior) comes floating along and it seems that it can keep you from sinking. You grab a hold of the log, and for a while it does keep you a float. However, soon enough it becomes the very thing that hinders you from swimming to the shore (a life full of meaning and purpose).
So what exactly is nutrition counseling?
I am so glad you are asking this question! How is this different than a dietitian giving you a diet to follow? In short, nutrition counseling is counseling or therapy exploring the areas of nutrition and your relationships with food, your body, and movement. It is an individualized therapeutic process (sorry, no magic wands here) that can vary in degree of flexibility and structure. The goal of nutrition therapy is to heal from disordered eating patterns, restore physical health, and develop a more positive relationship with food, body, and movement. Nutrition counseling is most effective when done in addition to working with a therapist. This allows for the person seeking recovery to explore and heal from deeper underlying issues or traumas that may keep driving the dysfunctional behaviors and beliefs.
When would nutrition counseling be beneficial?
If you have had an eating disorder or are currently struggling with and eating disorder. If you have disordered eating and are finding that your relationship with food has just gotten too complicated and complex. If you have lost the ability to tune into yourself to know what you want to eat and how much you need to eat in order to feel good and have the energy needed to carry you through a full life. If you have a history of "on again, off again" dieting and or weight cycling and you can't seem to break free from repeating the oh so familiar cycle. When you are struggling to nourish and nurture yourself through food. If you have lost balance in your life due to over focus on food, weight, shape, size, or movement.
Who would benefit from nutrition counseling?
Anyone who wants a better relationship with food, movement, and their body. Every human being has to eat to live. Hurts, habits, and hangups do not discriminate, they affect everyone. We are all susceptible to hurts in life that can cause dysfunctional behaviors unless we have been formed and taught to function in healthy, life giving ways. A diet culture and fat phobic ridden society has done a great disservice in teaching people how to eat and nourish their bodies.
How can nutrition counseling help you with your relationship with food, your body, and movement?
In short, the process involves learning (about you, your story, and why your behaviors and beliefs), healing and unlearning, and then relearning, repairing, and rebuilding.
This is a journey. It does not happen over night.
You gain awareness of the dysfunctional behaviors you use, gain understanding and insight into why and where you picked up or developed such behaviors, you get a place for your personal story to be heard, validated (again, there is a reason why we do what we do) and grieved, and then you begin to relearn a different way, repair your body through nourishment, and rebuild trust that has been broken or lost.
Nutrition counseling can help you move away from disordered behaviors such as restricting, binging, purging, food/body rules, and obsessions (just to name a few), and move towards balanced eating and movement that is centered around what your particular body needs and is asking for.
What does nutrition counseling look like?
Meeting with a registered dietitian (trained in the area of eating disorders, who practices with a weight inclusive and health at every size approach) on a regular and consistent basis, either in person or virtually. Usually that is twice a week, once a week, or every other week for several months or longer. Best outcomes occur over time. To begin, there is an initial assessment (60-75 minutes) where I get some information from you that gives me a general idea of what your relationship with food, your body, and/or movement look like. I listen to what your lived experience has been like, what has or has not worked for you, and then we name one or two things you want to begin working on. The care process continues through consistent follow-up sessions which are typically 50 minutes. Sessions can be educational, experiential, and narrative in nature.
Being ready is a decision, not a feeling!
You don't have to be free of fear to start your recovery journey or to get back on your recovery journey. If you have a desire to have more freedom in your life with food, eating behaviors and habits, body image, and movement, allow that to be the catalyst that moves you forward towards change. You are here for a reason!
You Can't Live
a Full Life
on an Empty Stomach.
No matter where you are on your journey...
Having someone to compassionately guide you through the complexities of your relationship with food, movement, and your body and companion you as you find and share your story will help you to heal and move forward in life in the direction you want to go, less burdened by unhealthy coping and more equipped to handle everyday life.
Overcoming any eating disorder, disordered eating, and/or negative body image is no small feat. Eating disorders serve us in some way, shape, or form, which is why we pick them up in the first place. Often times, they are picked up as a way to cope or to survive. A great analogy would be as if you were drowning in a river (life) and suddenly a log (the eating disorder) comes floating along and it seems that it can keep you from sinking. You grab a hold of the log, and for a while it does keep you a float. However, soon enough it becomes the very thing that hinders you from swimming to shore (a life full of meaning and purpose).
Working with a professional who understands the nature of eating disorders can help you unpack the why’s behind the dysfunction and equip you with knowledge and new tools to move forward in life without using the eating disorder.
Challenging the eating disorder “voice” and “rules” and learning new behaviors is best done with the compassionate care and understanding of a team. This team is usually comprised of a medical doctor, a therapist/psychiatrist, and a registered dietitian. You do not have to have a diagnosed eating disorder to start getting help today. If you believe that food, exercise, or body image are dominating your life, you may benefit from working with a registered dietitian as part of a treatment team.
"One of the biggest lies we can listen to is, it isn't that bad..."
Taking the first step is courageous and yet often hard.
You don’t have to be free of fear to start your recovery journey or to get back on your recovery journey. If you have a desire to have more freedom in your life with food, eating behaviors and habits, body image, and movement, allow that desire to be the catalyst that moves you forward towards change.
The best recovery is YOUR recovery. The healing journey is an inward journey and requires a willingness to explore questions, examine life circumstances, challenge belief systems, and receive healing and truth.
Does this look like your life?
Healing your relationship with food, body, and self, can bring more freedom, balance, and enjoyment to your life. Imagine what you could have space for.
Where else would you like to focus?
Where else would you like to focus?
Hi! I'm Joyce.
I am here to companion and guide you on the journey to rebuilding trust with your body and overcoming fears around food and movement to rediscover, nourish, and nurture your authentic self.
I lived an unbalanced life filled with rules, anxieties, obsessions, and very little fun.
As a registered dietitian and a person who has journeyed the road of recovery, I know the ups and downs, struggles and victories, that come with the recovery process.
I am here to provide you with my clinical expertise as well as my own experience, strength, and hope. Recovery is possible. The best recovery is YOUR recovery!
Joyce Oliveira has been a Registered Dietitian since 2009. She earned her Bachelor’s degree of Dietetics from the University of Northern Colorado and went on to California to complete her dietetic internship in the UCLA teaching hospitals, serving a diverse population. After working for several years with those who have diabetes, Joyce transitioned into the mental health side of nutrition and soon found herself pursuing work within the eating disorder population. Having recovered from an eating disorder herself, Joyce is passionate about bringing hope and cultivating an environment for healing to those struggling with chronic dieting, disordered eating, eating disorders, and negative body image. She is a recovery advocate and a strong supporter of community being part of the recovery process. She practices from an all foods fit, non-diet approach, and fosters a Health at Every Size® perspective; meaning there is no one “right or better” body shape or size embracing body diversity as being uniquely created. Joyce uses nutrition therapy to work with clients to empower them to have a healed relationship with food, body, and self, and formational prayer as an invitation to see and experience God in the journey of recovery.