Alison 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/fat positive 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! Your body is INCREDIBLY wise - and part of my job is to help you see that more clearly.
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, 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 doesn't comes up in our sessions (maybe not every week, at least). 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? If the aforementioned statement makes you *grimace* ... know that I believe in you, and I believe 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!!
Get to know Alison:
- My favorite food? Soup - my Mom's chicken noodle soup and my mother-in-law's creamy Slovak garlic soup. I could literally eat either of these daily at any time of year.
- 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. I'm trying to learn the Slovak language... it's going *great* (sarcasm).
Okay... so tell me more about your path to RD and RYT-200?
- I completed my Bachelor's of Science degree in Exercise Science with a minor in Psychology from the University of Scranton in Scranton, PA. (Random, but related: I was pursuing a career as a Doctor of Physical Therapy ... but realized this wasn't my true passion going into my senior year).
- 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 as a distance dietetic intern with Marywood. I completed rotations in Community Nutrition, Food Service, Long Term Care and Acute Care settings in Florida and New Jersey. Shout-out to all the RDs who let me intern with them.
- 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). I can serve clients in these states, as well as a few others - depending on their licensure status.
- 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 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.
FREE Resource: A Beginner's Guide to Intuitive Eating
Downloadable PDF guide for those unfamiliar with IE, or those who want a refreshing new take on it!