A NO BS APPROACH TO NUTRITION - straightforward advice about eating healthier with Vanessa Rissetto + how to work with a dietitian through insurance
Dec 4, 2023
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Vanessa Rissetto, CEO and Co-Founder of Culina Health, shares accessible nutrition advice. She discusses the importance of a practitioner over functional tests, simple eating advice, intermittent fasting, and embracing body goals. She also talks about the challenges of achieving a healthy diet, coping with emotional eating, and the significance of self-reflection. Additionally, she discusses the goal of increasing access to insurance payers for dietitians.
Colina Health aims to make nutrition services accessible and affordable for all through telehealth visits covered by insurance.
Vanessa Rissetto encourages individuals to prioritize healthier choices, diversify their food intake, and find what works for their unique needs.
Intermittent fasting may not be suitable for everyone, and its effectiveness varies depending on individual factors such as health conditions and hormonal/stress factors.
Deep dives
Access to Nutrition Professionals for Everyone
Colina Health is a company that connects individuals with nutrition professionals, making their services accessible and affordable. Through telehealth visits covered by insurance, patients can work one-on-one with dietitians to address their specific nutritional needs and goals. With personalized guidance and regular check-ins, patients receive support, accountability, and tangible tips for improving their eating habits and overall health. The company's focus on inclusivity and affordability aims to change the perception that nutrition services are only for the wealthy, ensuring that everyone can access the care they need.
No BS Nutrition Approach
Vanessa Risado, a nutritionist featured in the podcast, takes a no-nonsense approach to nutrition. She emphasizes the importance of making healthier choices, such as incorporating fruits and vegetables into daily meals and drinking water. While she doesn't advocate for strict diets or food restrictions, she encourages individuals to diversify their food intake, limit excessive alcohol consumption, and prioritize movement and exercise. The emphasis is on finding what works for each person's unique needs and preferences, rather than adhering to specific diet trends or rules.
Intermittent Fasting Considerations
Intermittent fasting is not suitable for everyone and may not be the optimal approach to weight management and overall health. Risado explains that fasting does not guarantee that the liver won't produce sugar, making it potentially ineffective for blood sugar control in certain individuals. She highlights that most studies on intermittent fasting have primarily focused on older, white, retired individuals without hormonal or stress factors that may affect results. However, for shift workers or specific individuals with certain health conditions, intermittent fasting may be worth considering, but it should be done under proper guidance and for the right reasons.
Importance of Timed Meals for Weight Loss
One key insight from the podcast is the importance of timed meals for weight loss. The speaker shares examples of patients who were struggling with overeating at night, leading to weight gain and heartburn. By shifting their eating schedule and having regular meals throughout the day, these patients were able to lose weight and improve their overall health. The speaker emphasizes that it is not about restrictive diets, but rather about finding a balance and making compromises in order to achieve weight loss goals. They highlight the importance of having a positive relationship with food and enjoying social occasions without overindulging.
Addressing PCOS and Breakfast Skipping
Another main topic discussed in the podcast is the relationship between PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) and breakfast skipping. The speaker explains that fasting or skipping meals is not recommended for individuals with PCOS who have insulin dysregulation. Instead, they suggest having balanced meals throughout the day to stabilize blood sugar levels. They also highlight the importance of understanding gluconeogenesis (the liver's production of glucose) and how it affects insulin levels. The speaker advocates for addressing individual nutritional needs and finding breakfast options that work for each person, noting that a small, balanced meal in the morning can be beneficial for individuals with PCOS.
Ep 99. We’re 100% here for Vanessa Rissetto’s accessible, straightforward nutrition advice. She approaches nutrition from an outsider's perspective because, in many ways, she is one. As CEO and Co-Founder of Culina Health, her priority is making clinical nutrition care inclusive and accessible. Vanessa received a Master’s in Science in Marketing from NYU and later completed her Dietetic Internship through their Nutrition and Food Studies Program at Mount Sinai Hospital. Her work in private practice includes treatment of GI disorders, bariatric surgery, weight management, PCOS, and family nutrition. She loves helping clients take an active role in their health journey and motivates them to achieve success. Vanessa was named by Essence magazine as one of the top 5 black nutritionists who will change the way you think about food.
Links from the ep:
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Here’s the juice:
How she felt like the nutrition field catered to the 1% and therefore started her company, Culina Health to increase access
The value of a great practitioner as opposed to a bunch of functional tests that aren’t covered by insurance
Her simple, straightforward advice about eating that everyone can benefit from
How to figure out “what works for you” when you have no clue
Her opinion on intermittent fasting and when it’s appropriate
Why it’s okay to want to look good in your body!
How she built her company to be the first nutrition company run by RDs, with investment money, and accepting insurance
Why not eating enough actually keeps you from losing weight
The role of compromise in achieving your health goals
How to incorporate healthy coping mechanisms that aren’t related to food and drink
The importance of sitting in the quiet for clarity and food-related emotions
Tips on how to access nutritious, high quality food when you’re on a budget
