Nourish - Body and Mind, LLC
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Hey you!

Alison Kucharski Varhol, MS, RDN, LDN, RYT-200

I am a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) and Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor with a passion for helping others rediscover their body's natural intuition and balance. As an anti-diet dietitian, I practice with an Intuitive Eating®, Health at Every Size (HAES)®, weight-inclusive and gentle nutrition focus. 


My goal is to guide you in reclaiming the joy in your journey by honoring your body's real needs and desires.  I can't wait to help you explore what nourishes you - body and mind!

I am originally from Hunterdon County, New Jersey ... so I was raised on the music of Bruce Springsteen and the iconic pork roll, egg and cheese breakfast (... on an everything bagel, with salt, pepper, ketchup, of course!). 


I love food. Like really love it. There's nothing I love more than really good pizza (with ranch!!), chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream with rainbow sprinkles, and coconut coffee creamer. I can talk about it all day long... and sometimes I do. And sometimes, food never comes up in our sessions. We can talk about body image and diet culture, brainstorm grocery lists and meal ideas, or rediscover how to make self care a priority for you. I am not here to tell you what to eat or how to eat... but rather, help you explore your own relationship with food and your body. I trust that your body knows what, how and when to eat... but do you? It is possible for you to rebuild your trust with your body.


You can find me reading on the beach in beautiful Fernandina Beach, Florida, trying new recipes in my kitchen, savoring a Yin Yoga class, or enjoying a cup of tea while watching Netflix!!

  • My favorite food? Soup - my Mom's chicken noodle soup and my mother-in-law's creamy Slovak garlic soup. 
  • I played over 10 years of competitive softball - I was a pitcher primarily, but also played third, first and short stop.
  • On my first ever trip to Europe, I drove through my husband's SUPER small Slovakian town - three years before ever meeting him. When we met, I was showing him photos of our trip - including one photo of a beautiful castle that was along the road that led through his town. He recognized it immediately! We love to travel and explore together.

Important notes...

I identify as a straight, white, currently able-bodied cis-gender female (pronouns: she/her/hers).  I have done and continue to do work to identify my own privileges and learn how to better serve those without the same privileges with which I have been born.  


I live and work on the traditional and unceded territories of the Mvskoke (Muscogee), Miccosukee, Timucua, along with many federally unrecognized tribes. To find out who's land you're on, go to https://native-land.ca/. I am committed to using my life and work to cultivate more equitable, safe and inclusive spaces for all bodies.

"Okay... so tell me more about your path to RD and RYT?"

  • I completed my Bachelor's of Science degree in Exercise Science with a minor in Psychology from the University of Scranton in Scranton, PA.
  • Next, I earned my Master's of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics from Marywood University (also in Scranton, PA), and immediately pursued my 1,200 hour dietetic internship. 
  • Upon completion of this, I passed the Commission on Dietetic Registration's national examination and became credentialed and licensed as an RDN (Registered Dietitian Nutritionist). I am licensed in both Florida and Georgia as an LDN (Licensed Dietitian Nutritionist). 
  • Prior to establishing my private practice (Nourish - Body and Mind, LLC), I worked in healthcare, hospitality, and food service.
  • I am also a 200 hour-Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT-200) and love to include the principles of mindful, gentle, attuned movement and body kindness into my practice. 
  • I completed my Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor training in February of 2022. This training was designed and led by The Original Intuitive Eating Pros®: Evelyn Tribole, MS, RDN, CEDRD-S and Elyse Resch, MS, RDN, CEDRD-S, Fiaedp, FADA, FAND. 
  • I seek regular (weekly) supervision in both individual and group settings to discuss cases in a HIPAA-compliant manner to better serve my clients and learn and grow both professionally and personally. 

What to expect when working with a non-diet dietitian...

Listening & Validation

No "Good" or "Bad" Foods

Listening & Validation

 

You are the focus and the priority here. I work for and with you, and seek to be a resource for all of your questions, thoughts and concerns.

 I'm here to support you. 

Weight-Inclusivity

No "Good" or "Bad" Foods

Listening & Validation

....which means: understanding and acceptance of various body shapes and sizes. You are an individual, and you deserve individualized and personalized care. There is no one size fits all for nutrition care. We will work on achieving body neutrality, rather than body positivity to start. Let's take a few steps back from society's weight-centric thinking and re-examine 

your definition of "health/healthy."

No "Good" or "Bad" Foods

No "Good" or "Bad" Foods

Challenges with Compassion

All foods provide nourishment, regardless of their specific nutritional content. We will work together to find what fuels your body and mind (This will include more than food!). 

Challenges with Compassion

Challenges with Compassion

Challenges with Compassion

 Realize and accept that this process will be different and will require effort on your part. We all will make mistakes - that is part of the process. We are aiming for progress, never perfection. Know that I am 110% by your side: rooting you on and fully supporting you however I can.

Long - Term Change

Challenges with Compassion

Respect & Zero Judgement

Please keep in mind that un-learning diet culture and weight-centric thinking, while simultaneously learning, absorbing and practicing gentle nutrition is HARD. This is not a "quick fix." That being said, the skills that we develop are ones that you can utilize for life. 

Respect & Zero Judgement

Challenges with Compassion

Respect & Zero Judgement

You are perfectly imperfect, unique and MORE than enough, just the way you are.  Individuals of every size, race, ability, gender and ethnicity deserve to receive equitable care that considers all aspects of their health, including mental, physical and emotional health.  

What is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)??

Well, let's taco 'bout it!

Registered Dietitian Nutritionists, or RDNs, are individuals that are thoroughly trained in nutrition and dietetics evidence-based practices. To earn the RDN credential, one must complete their bachelor's degree with course materials approved by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics' Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (also known as ACEND). This education requires classes in food and nutrition science, medicine nutrition therapy, physiology, biochemistry, microbiology, chemistry, computer science, foodservice systems management and more! By 2024, all new RDNs will be required to have a Master's Degree too.

On top of completion of these -  one has to complete a minimum of 1,200 hours of supervised practice via a dietetic internship. This internship exposes the candidate to various settings in which they could practice as an RDN. This could include acute care, long term care, food service, community, and even more settings. 


After the 1,200 hours of supervised practice are recorded, one must pass the Commission on Dietetic Registration's national examination. After this - the RDN must continue professional education requirements, pursue state licensure (if necessary/required) and then FINALLY - can begin to share their immense knowledge and understanding. 


NOTE: 


When someone calls themselves a nutritionist - they may not be a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. All Registered Dietitians are nutritionists, but NOT all nutritionists are Registered Dietitians. This is important to keep in mind... ALWAYS ask for credentials and experience before beginning to work with a professional. RDNs are the BEST resource for food and nutrition advice. 

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