I’ve been in the food world for a very long time. Some say it consumes me and others claim I’m obsessed with it. I’m not sure where the truth lies; all I know is that I have no memories that don’t somehow relate to food and all of my goals involve food in one way or another. In any case, I think I’ve done pretty well in my delicious little universe.

As many of you know in September of 2017 I started full-time school to become a holistic nutritionist. Or perhaps you’ve forgotten. It’s been so intense I haven’t had a moment to share anything on social media. Believe me, it’s not because there hasn’t been anything to share. Quite the opposite; every day I’m learning at least thirty to fifty new facts on health, our body and how food affects it but by the time I’m able to process this amazing new information and put it into some kind of perspective, we’re on to the next thirty new pieces of delicious information and on, and on, and on it goes; part of my Gemini personality is exhausted, the other part is excited.

So I’ve been silent for most of the time; at least until now. So where do I start? Holistic nutrition, for those who aren’t sure, is the study of ‘food as medicine’. I’ve taken biological chemistry, anatomy, physiology, pathology and body metabolism. You’d think they were training a mini-doctor! All the difficult science courses are now behind me (I hope) but I now understand what the body does with food – or is supposed to do.

In school I’ve learned that the quality of food you eat really does makes a difference to the way you feel physically and emotionally and I now understand why. Most importantly, I learned that sometimes you have to get out of your body’s way and let it heal. So what does that mean? Well, that’s where all of my training comes in.

With the generosity and support of naturopathic doctor Dr. Stephen Tripodi, I’ll be in his St Catharines clinic, Optimal Wellness Niagara working as a holistic nutritionist, counseling patients on eating to support optimal health. I might write out menu plans or health protocols for some, others may need recipes specifically designed for their unique health challenges; I might walk some through an educational diet change from poor choices to better ones or do a few cooking classes and take people on grocery store tours – quick and easy kitchen cooking tips will always be involved. Anything Dr. Tripodi’s patients need, I’ll be there to hold their hand and help them along to reach their successful and delicious health goals.

It’s a whole new journey for me from local food advocate to (local) food-as-medicine practitioner. Usually, I’d be telling you where to get the best lemon tart and now I’ll be telling you how to put that tart into perspective. One of the most important lessons I’ve learned and I’m happy to share with you right now is that eating healthy is even more delicious and easy than I’d ever imagined. It’s not about deprivation at all – and it’s not about dieting!

So I’ll be helping patients to think, cook and eat healthy with culinary tools they can use to overcome almost any health issue and inspire them to make better lifestyle choices. Changing a lifetime of eating habits doesn’t happen overnight but with a little help they will be well on their way to improved health! Please come and see me!

Dr. Stephen Tripodi
905-988-9009
26 Hiscott St, St Cathairnes
www.optimalwellnessniagara.com