Non-Diet Approach Nutritionists and Dietitians in Kankakee County, IL
My ideal client feels stuck in diet culture, food guilt, or body shame. You might be struggling with an eating disorder, chronic dieting, or feeling disconnected from your body’s needs. Maybe you're neurodivergent and navigating sensory challenges, or you’ve had frustrating experiences with weight-focused healthcare. You want to heal your relationship with food, break free from shame, and find sustainable nourishment that feels good. You’re looking for a weight-inclusive, intuitive approach that helps you trust yourself again—I’m here to help you do just that.
My ideal client feels stuck in diet culture, food guilt, or body shame. You might be struggling with an eating disorder, chronic dieting, or feeling disconnected from your body’s needs. Maybe you're neurodivergent and navigating sensory challenges, or you’ve had frustrating experiences with weight-focused healthcare. You want to heal your relationship with food, break free from shame, and find sustainable nourishment that feels good. You’re looking for a weight-inclusive, intuitive approach that helps you trust yourself again—I’m here to help you do just that.
Online Dietitians and Nutritionists
Cindy offers a trauma-informed, weight-inclusive, HAES-informed, and non-diet approach to nutritional counseling.
Cindy is a Registered Dietitian with a background in individualized client care and 1:1 nutrition counseling. Cindy has developed rapport with clients from a variety of diagnoses, with a specialization in eating disorders. Cindy's primary goal is to help clients foster a strong and sustainable relationship with food that ultimately meets long-term goals. Cindy is a Registered Dietitian who provides an empathetic, trauma-informed, Health-At-Every-Size-informed, and weight-inclusive approach to care. Ensuring that clients feel supported and ready to make changes towards their nutritional goals is her main priority.
Cindy offers a trauma-informed, weight-inclusive, HAES-informed, and non-diet approach to nutritional counseling.
Cindy is a Registered Dietitian with a background in individualized client care and 1:1 nutrition counseling. Cindy has developed rapport with clients from a variety of diagnoses, with a specialization in eating disorders. Cindy's primary goal is to help clients foster a strong and sustainable relationship with food that ultimately meets long-term goals. Cindy is a Registered Dietitian who provides an empathetic, trauma-informed, Health-At-Every-Size-informed, and weight-inclusive approach to care. Ensuring that clients feel supported and ready to make changes towards their nutritional goals is her main priority.
Kristin specializes in working with adults and adolescents with Eating Disorders, Disordered Eating, PCOS, Digestive Conditions, IBS, Low FODMAP, Chron's, and Pre/Post Natal Nutrition, and Diabetes. Kristin offers a positive approach to nutrition by focusing on building a healthy relationship with food, making lifestyle changes, goal setting and problem solving to overcome barriers. She believes in staying positive, and that it’s never too late to make lifestyle changes that can lead to a healthier life. Kristin became a dietitian after the experience of caregiving in high school for her grandmother.
Kristin specializes in working with adults and adolescents with Eating Disorders, Disordered Eating, PCOS, Digestive Conditions, IBS, Low FODMAP, Chron's, and Pre/Post Natal Nutrition, and Diabetes. Kristin offers a positive approach to nutrition by focusing on building a healthy relationship with food, making lifestyle changes, goal setting and problem solving to overcome barriers. She believes in staying positive, and that it’s never too late to make lifestyle changes that can lead to a healthier life. Kristin became a dietitian after the experience of caregiving in high school for her grandmother.
Carol utilizes patient-centered care to provide a non-diet approach to nutrition.
Her specialties include eating disorders and disordered eating.
Carol utilizes patient-centered care to provide a non-diet approach to nutrition.
Her specialties include eating disorders and disordered eating.
Ashley Walls specializes in working with clients interested in general healthy eating, and conditions including Eating Disorders, Disordered Eating, Celiac, Crohn's, IBS, Intuitive Eating, Weight Management and more. With 3 years of experience at a residential treatment level, Ashley is well versed on the difficulties associated with cooccurring diagnosis and eating disorder recovery. She believes that all foods fit through practice of balance, variety and moderation. Her past experiences as an athlete and personal trainer has prompted a particular interest in sports nutrition.
Ashley Walls specializes in working with clients interested in general healthy eating, and conditions including Eating Disorders, Disordered Eating, Celiac, Crohn's, IBS, Intuitive Eating, Weight Management and more. With 3 years of experience at a residential treatment level, Ashley is well versed on the difficulties associated with cooccurring diagnosis and eating disorder recovery. She believes that all foods fit through practice of balance, variety and moderation. Her past experiences as an athlete and personal trainer has prompted a particular interest in sports nutrition.
I follow a weight-inclusive, non-diet approach grounded in evidence-based practices.
Formerly Ashley Evans. I am a Registered Dietitian and an alumna of Northern Illinois University. With over seven years of experience in the eating disorder field, I am deeply passionate about supporting individuals in their recovery journey. I began my nutrition career at a residential eating disorder facility in downtown Chicago and later expanded my expertise through roles in Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) and Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) levels of care. My nutrition philosophy emphasizes building a healthy and positive relationship with food, integrating mental, emotional, physical, and social health.
I follow a weight-inclusive, non-diet approach grounded in evidence-based practices.
Formerly Ashley Evans. I am a Registered Dietitian and an alumna of Northern Illinois University. With over seven years of experience in the eating disorder field, I am deeply passionate about supporting individuals in their recovery journey. I began my nutrition career at a residential eating disorder facility in downtown Chicago and later expanded my expertise through roles in Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) and Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) levels of care. My nutrition philosophy emphasizes building a healthy and positive relationship with food, integrating mental, emotional, physical, and social health.
Anne is passionate about working collaboratively with clients to help them make healthy and sustainable diet changes that support their lifestyle and hormonal health. She understands food’s crucial role in balancing hormones and believes in the power of evidence-based research to guide her practice. Anne is particularly interested in the gut-brain connection and how it influences overall well-being. She emphasizes the importance of consuming whole foods that nourish the body and believes that access to nutritious food should be available to all.
Anne is passionate about working collaboratively with clients to help them make healthy and sustainable diet changes that support their lifestyle and hormonal health. She understands food’s crucial role in balancing hormones and believes in the power of evidence-based research to guide her practice. Anne is particularly interested in the gut-brain connection and how it influences overall well-being. She emphasizes the importance of consuming whole foods that nourish the body and believes that access to nutritious food should be available to all.
Stephanie is a Registered Dietitian with over 11 years of experience helping individuals manage their health through nutrition. Stephanie promotes individualized care, focusing on nutrition education, behavior change, and promoting health in a sustainable way. Stephanie enjoys connecting with her clients and developing a plan together that will work for their life and aligns with their goals.
Stephanie is a Registered Dietitian with over 11 years of experience helping individuals manage their health through nutrition. Stephanie promotes individualized care, focusing on nutrition education, behavior change, and promoting health in a sustainable way. Stephanie enjoys connecting with her clients and developing a plan together that will work for their life and aligns with their goals.
If food feels difficult, confusing and/or causes you worry, let’s talk about it. I’m here to help make it a bit easier. I use a nonjudgmental, weight-neutral and gender inclusive approach, to help all people realize that food can and does mean so much more than just the nutrients on the plate, and empower them that having a normalized relationship with food is possible. I believe in utilizing an all foods fit mentality to neutralize from the notion of “good” or “bad” foods. I specialize in working with adults, but can provide referrals to other providers who work with children or adolescents, upon request.
If food feels difficult, confusing and/or causes you worry, let’s talk about it. I’m here to help make it a bit easier. I use a nonjudgmental, weight-neutral and gender inclusive approach, to help all people realize that food can and does mean so much more than just the nutrients on the plate, and empower them that having a normalized relationship with food is possible. I believe in utilizing an all foods fit mentality to neutralize from the notion of “good” or “bad” foods. I specialize in working with adults, but can provide referrals to other providers who work with children or adolescents, upon request.
Holly (she/her) is a Registered Dietitian and Certified Eating Disorder Specialist (CEDS) who has dedicated her career to helping individuals with eating disorders, disordered eating, and body image concerns. She also provides support for those with co-occurring conditions with particular interest in diabetes, gastrointestinal issues and mood/anxiety concerns.
Holly (she/her) is a Registered Dietitian and Certified Eating Disorder Specialist (CEDS) who has dedicated her career to helping individuals with eating disorders, disordered eating, and body image concerns. She also provides support for those with co-occurring conditions with particular interest in diabetes, gastrointestinal issues and mood/anxiety concerns.
Wholistic, realistic, and sustainable. These three words are at the core of how I live, why I became a registered dietitian, and how I engage with my clients. I have a unique perspective as a registered dietitian: There are a limited number of male dietitians, I am a husband, a father, and significant life experience that allows me to truly understand client’s situations, and provide wholistic, realistic, and sustainable changes that can improve not only their physical health, but their mental and emotional health as well.
Wholistic, realistic, and sustainable. These three words are at the core of how I live, why I became a registered dietitian, and how I engage with my clients. I have a unique perspective as a registered dietitian: There are a limited number of male dietitians, I am a husband, a father, and significant life experience that allows me to truly understand client’s situations, and provide wholistic, realistic, and sustainable changes that can improve not only their physical health, but their mental and emotional health as well.
I specialize in intuitive eating and non-diet, behavior-focused nutrition counseling.
My ideal clients are individuals seeking to heal their relationship with food, body, and self through intuitive eating and personalized nutrition support. They often feel disconnected, stuck in dieting cycles, or overwhelmed by food rules, and want a more compassionate, sustainable approach. I help them reconnect with their body’s needs through 1:1, individualized guidance that is supportive and deeply personalized. Together, we focus on behavior change, self-trust, and developing a healthier, more peaceful relationship with food and eating.
I specialize in intuitive eating and non-diet, behavior-focused nutrition counseling.
My ideal clients are individuals seeking to heal their relationship with food, body, and self through intuitive eating and personalized nutrition support. They often feel disconnected, stuck in dieting cycles, or overwhelmed by food rules, and want a more compassionate, sustainable approach. I help them reconnect with their body’s needs through 1:1, individualized guidance that is supportive and deeply personalized. Together, we focus on behavior change, self-trust, and developing a healthier, more peaceful relationship with food and eating.
For over twenty years, I have worked in helping people find healing and health through nutrition education and counseling. With experience in areas including family nutrition, eating disorders, medical nutrition therapy, and more I utilize a person centered, non-diet approach to understand values, goals, and challenges in navigating nutrition. Insurance and self-pay options are available.
In-person and virtual appointments available in Illinois as well as virtual in the states of Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin, New York, Arkansas, Kentucky, and California.
Faith based nutrition counseling available upon request.
For over twenty years, I have worked in helping people find healing and health through nutrition education and counseling. With experience in areas including family nutrition, eating disorders, medical nutrition therapy, and more I utilize a person centered, non-diet approach to understand values, goals, and challenges in navigating nutrition. Insurance and self-pay options are available.
In-person and virtual appointments available in Illinois as well as virtual in the states of Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin, New York, Arkansas, Kentucky, and California.
Faith based nutrition counseling available upon request.
Emma specializes in working with clients interested in PCOS, Hormonal Imbalances, Pre/Post Natal, Infertility, Bariatric Surgery, Weight Management, Anti-Inflammatory, Thyroid Conditions, and other areas. Emma is passionate about helping others achieve their individual nutrition and health goals. She practices “judgment free” care and understands the numerous barriers to health, while serving as a partner to her patients on their wellness journey. She utilizes evidenced based practices to produce sustainable results and help others create a positive relationship with nutrition
Emma specializes in working with clients interested in PCOS, Hormonal Imbalances, Pre/Post Natal, Infertility, Bariatric Surgery, Weight Management, Anti-Inflammatory, Thyroid Conditions, and other areas. Emma is passionate about helping others achieve their individual nutrition and health goals. She practices “judgment free” care and understands the numerous barriers to health, while serving as a partner to her patients on their wellness journey. She utilizes evidenced based practices to produce sustainable results and help others create a positive relationship with nutrition
You are tired of dieting and want to feel at peace with food and your body. You may be struggling with digestion issues, fatigue, or anxiety and want lasting change that feels supportive, not restrictive. You want to understand your body, feel nourished, and finally have food feel simple again.
You are tired of dieting and want to feel at peace with food and your body. You may be struggling with digestion issues, fatigue, or anxiety and want lasting change that feels supportive, not restrictive. You want to understand your body, feel nourished, and finally have food feel simple again.
You have spent so much time trying to eat perfectly that food has become exhausting. You want peace with eating and confidence in your body again. I help people who feel burned out from diets or stress find simple, sustainable ways to nourish themselves. Alongside my client work, I teach postgraduate nutrition students how to blend science, compassion, and trauma informed care.
You have spent so much time trying to eat perfectly that food has become exhausting. You want peace with eating and confidence in your body again. I help people who feel burned out from diets or stress find simple, sustainable ways to nourish themselves. Alongside my client work, I teach postgraduate nutrition students how to blend science, compassion, and trauma informed care.
As I grow older, I realize I want to help adults and older adults continue living their best lives. My ideal client is someone who doesn’t judge themselves by their chronological age, but wants to live healthfully and simply needs the right tools, guidance, and confidence to inspire both themselves and their families.
As I grow older, I realize I want to help adults and older adults continue living their best lives. My ideal client is someone who doesn’t judge themselves by their chronological age, but wants to live healthfully and simply needs the right tools, guidance, and confidence to inspire both themselves and their families.
Maria is a Registered Dietitian who strongly believes in improving physical, mental, and emotional health through nutrition. Maria enjoys using her clinical background to help others navigate their unique nutritional needs by providing individualized interventions. Maria believes in a patient-centered, evidenced-based approach to nutrition care. She will help you achieve your nutrition goals through education, counseling, and therapeutic modalities including cognitive behavioral therapy, exposure response prevention therapy, and medical nutrition therapy.
Maria is a Registered Dietitian who strongly believes in improving physical, mental, and emotional health through nutrition. Maria enjoys using her clinical background to help others navigate their unique nutritional needs by providing individualized interventions. Maria believes in a patient-centered, evidenced-based approach to nutrition care. She will help you achieve your nutrition goals through education, counseling, and therapeutic modalities including cognitive behavioral therapy, exposure response prevention therapy, and medical nutrition therapy.
Carly provides HAES-aligned care and emphasizes a non-diet approach for her nutrition counseling and evidenced-based interventions in several areas of health and nutrition, including but not limited to, pre-diabetes, type 2 diabetes, weight management, heart health, and GI management.
Carly loves structure and routine while also embracing creativity to meet each client where they are at. Nutrition is not a "one-size fits all" approach and Carly encourages her clients to be authentically themselves to provide optimal individualized care.
Carly provides HAES-aligned care and emphasizes a non-diet approach for her nutrition counseling and evidenced-based interventions in several areas of health and nutrition, including but not limited to, pre-diabetes, type 2 diabetes, weight management, heart health, and GI management.
Carly loves structure and routine while also embracing creativity to meet each client where they are at. Nutrition is not a "one-size fits all" approach and Carly encourages her clients to be authentically themselves to provide optimal individualized care.
Emily’s ideal patients are individuals who are ready to make meaningful changes in their lives. She especially enjoys working with those experiencing GI disorders, as these conditions can be deeply debilitating and require strong motivation. Emily also loves working with pediatric patients, finding joy in helping children build healthy nutrition habits that can positively impact their lives long term.
Emily’s ideal patients are individuals who are ready to make meaningful changes in their lives. She especially enjoys working with those experiencing GI disorders, as these conditions can be deeply debilitating and require strong motivation. Emily also loves working with pediatric patients, finding joy in helping children build healthy nutrition habits that can positively impact their lives long term.
Non-Diet Approach Nutritionists and Dietitians
What is the non-diet approach to nutrition?
A non-diet approach to nutrition is a holistic strategy that prioritizes overall health and well-being over strict diets or weight loss plans. Dietitians who practice this approach emphasize intuitive eating, encouraging clients to listen to their internal hunger and fullness cues rather than following rigid dietary rules. This method promotes a healthier relationship with food and fosters self-acceptance, especially for individuals with a history of dieting or disordered eating patterns.
Why should I see a dietitian who takes a non-diet approach?
As more evidence highlights the ineffectiveness and potential harm of many diets, the non-diet approach is gaining popularity and recognition as a sustainable and compassionate nutritional strategy. Non-diet dietitians help clients shift their focus from weight to overall health, supporting behaviors that enhance physical and emotional well-being. Therefore, a non-diet approach to nutrition may be a welcome change for many individuals who are looking to branch out from the heavy emphasis on diets and weights that many professionals in the medical and wellness communities may have. Additionally, because non-diet dietitians take a more holistic approach, they will also often work with clients on their relationship to other lifestyle habits that impact wellbeing, such as encouraging a healthy relationship with exercise.
What can a non-diet approach help with?
A non-diet approach can be highly beneficial for individuals with a history of eating disorders or disordered eating patterns, as well as those who have experienced repeated dieting with little success. This approach helps clients move away from rigid food rules and promotes a healthier relationship with food. By focusing on intuitive eating, clients learn to trust their internal hunger and fullness cues, rather than adhering to external dietary guidelines. This approach can help clients develop an intuitive sense of their nutritional needs, improve body acceptance, and reduce the psychological stress or shame commonly associated with dieting.
What should I look for in a non-diet dietitian?
When searching for a non-diet dietitian, it's important to consider several factors to ensure they are the right fit for you. Start by reviewing the dietitian's profile on Psychology Today or their personal website. Look for mentions of intuitive eating, body acceptance, or Health At Every Size (HAES) principles, which are indicative of a non-diet approach. Non-diet dietitians often outline their nutrition philosophy in these profiles. In addition to their approach, consider practical factors such as session costs, accepted insurance plans, and the availability of in-person or telehealth options. When you find a professional who seems like a good fit, reach out to speak with them. During the conversation, pay attention to whether you feel comfortable with them and how they explain their non-diet approach. If you are seeking a dietitian for a specific concern, such as disordered eating or chronic dieting, this can also be a good time to ask about their experience in these areas.