Autism Nutritionists and Dietitians in Washington County, MD
At Nourish, we don’t lecture, body shame, or give clients generic nutrition plans. Our caring professionals help each individual achieve and maintain optimal health and a positive body image through collaborative goal setting, tailored, science-based nutrition plans, and other industry best practices. Tired of bouncing from diet to diet and Googling nutrition advice? Quick fixes aren’t long-term solutions. You’ll achieve and maintain your goals with our personalized, sustainable nutrition plans. One size doesn’t fit all when it comes to nutrition counseling.
At Nourish, we don’t lecture, body shame, or give clients generic nutrition plans. Our caring professionals help each individual achieve and maintain optimal health and a positive body image through collaborative goal setting, tailored, science-based nutrition plans, and other industry best practices. Tired of bouncing from diet to diet and Googling nutrition advice? Quick fixes aren’t long-term solutions. You’ll achieve and maintain your goals with our personalized, sustainable nutrition plans. One size doesn’t fit all when it comes to nutrition counseling.
Online Dietitians and Nutritionists
Dr. Heard is a Licensed and Board Certified Doctor of Clinical & Functional Nutrition, and Certified Nutrition Specialist. She coaches women who want to improve their health and wellness. Dr. Heard has many years of experience working with people who have a wide range of health conditions. She primarily works with women ages 18+
Dr. Heard is a Licensed and Board Certified Doctor of Clinical & Functional Nutrition, and Certified Nutrition Specialist. She coaches women who want to improve their health and wellness. Dr. Heard has many years of experience working with people who have a wide range of health conditions. She primarily works with women ages 18+
Welcome to BRK the Cycle Nutrition! I specialize in supporting individuals with eating disorders and gut disorders through a personalized, compassionate approach. I believe that true health is not about restrictive diets or quick fixes, but about creating a sustainable relationship with food that nurtures both the body and the mind.
Welcome to BRK the Cycle Nutrition! I specialize in supporting individuals with eating disorders and gut disorders through a personalized, compassionate approach. I believe that true health is not about restrictive diets or quick fixes, but about creating a sustainable relationship with food that nurtures both the body and the mind.
Vicky is passionate about working with people on an individual basis and is compassionate about the challenges of financial restraints, fatigue, and how difficult it is to prepare healthy meals when faced with physical limitations and after working long days.
Vicky is passionate about working with people on an individual basis and is compassionate about the challenges of financial restraints, fatigue, and how difficult it is to prepare healthy meals when faced with physical limitations and after working long days.
Michael obtained his Master’s degree in human nutrition and has worked with Veterans through the Defenders of Freedom nonprofit organization. Michael found his passion for nutrition and wellness early on in life with great influence from his family. Michael enjoys spending time outside in nature with his white German Shepherd named Koda. When Michael is not hiking or working out, he enjoys watching sports, trying new recipes to cook, and collecting vintage games. Michael enjoys helping his clients understand themselves and strive towards their best version.
Michael obtained his Master’s degree in human nutrition and has worked with Veterans through the Defenders of Freedom nonprofit organization. Michael found his passion for nutrition and wellness early on in life with great influence from his family. Michael enjoys spending time outside in nature with his white German Shepherd named Koda. When Michael is not hiking or working out, he enjoys watching sports, trying new recipes to cook, and collecting vintage games. Michael enjoys helping his clients understand themselves and strive towards their best version.
Stephanie is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RD, RDN) who specializes in the treatment of eating disorders. Stephanie practices from a weight inclusive, Health at Every Size (HAES) approach. With over 15 years of experience in all levels of care, she is passionate about helping clients heal their relationship with food, movement, and their bodies by providing guidance on how to connect with their body and incorporate mindful eating into their everyday life. This journey toward intuitive eating includes, among other things, developing flexible meal plans, assisting with grocery lists, and guiding food exposures.
Stephanie is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RD, RDN) who specializes in the treatment of eating disorders. Stephanie practices from a weight inclusive, Health at Every Size (HAES) approach. With over 15 years of experience in all levels of care, she is passionate about helping clients heal their relationship with food, movement, and their bodies by providing guidance on how to connect with their body and incorporate mindful eating into their everyday life. This journey toward intuitive eating includes, among other things, developing flexible meal plans, assisting with grocery lists, and guiding food exposures.
Autism Nutritionists and Dietitians
What is the link between autism and diet?
While there is no evidence to suggest that autism is caused by diet, some individuals with autism face challenges related to food that highlight the importance of considering how diet and autism may be connected. Studies have shown that individuals with autism are more likely to have inadequate food intake compared to the general population. Many people with autism experience feeding issues due to sensory-related challenges. Just as loud sounds or bright lights can trigger sensory overload, the consistency, texture, smell, and strong taste of some foods can similarly cause sensory overload for individuals with autism, potentially leading to food aversion and/or malnutrition. Additionally, studies have indicated that individuals with autism often have different concentrations of bacteria within their gut microbiome, which may influence their response to food; however, much more research is needed to fully understand this connection.
What is autism food aversion?
Autism-related food aversion occurs when individuals with autism strongly dislike specific foods. This aversion is often triggered by sensory experiences such as texture, taste, smell, or how the food is presented. Some individuals with autism may also avoid certain foods due to concerns about choking or difficulty swallowing. The specific foods that individuals with autism avoid can vary widely. For example, crunchy foods like chips or carrots may be avoided due to the intense sensory experience they provide when eaten. On the other hand, soft foods with a gooey texture, such as applesauce or cottage cheese, may also trigger food aversion because of their specific textures.
What diet is best for people with autism?
There is no single best diet for individuals with autism, but experts generally recommend a balanced, plant-based diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat proteins. However, due to potential food aversions, maintaining this balanced diet can be challenging for some. In such cases, experimenting with different foods and cooking methods may become important to ensure adequate nutrition. For example, while raw vegetables may be off-putting to some with autism due to sensory-related aversions, cooking them might make them more appealing and easier to consume. This illustrates that the presentation and preparation of food can often be more crucial than the specific type of food consumed. Ultimately, this tailored approach to individual sensory sensitivities and preferences can be essential to ensure that individuals with autism can still meet their nutritional needs.
Should people with autism see a dietitian?
Individuals with autism may benefit from seeing a dietitian if their challenges around food are impacting their ability to eat a healthy and balanced diet. For instance, if food-related sensory issues are limiting the ability of someone with autism to eat essential vitamins and minerals, a dietitian may be able to suggest strategies to overcome these challenges. It is important to look for a dietitian who has expertise in autism, as not all dietitians may be knowledgeable about working with individuals on the autism spectrum. In addition, it is important to look for a dietitian who is willing to work with other professionals of the individual's care team, such as therapists, who may also be working on topics related to food.