Autism Nutritionists and Dietitians in Washington County, OR
This approach can be particularly beneficial for patients who are neurodivergent (ADHD/ Autism/OCD/SPD) and those with auto-immune conditions.
You deserve to feel seen. You deserve equitable care. You deserve freedom in your relationship with food. I strive to provide a counseling environment that offers affirming care, a sense of belonging, and the tools you need to feel supported on your journey with food and your body.
This approach can be particularly beneficial for patients who are neurodivergent (ADHD/ Autism/OCD/SPD) and those with auto-immune conditions.
You deserve to feel seen. You deserve equitable care. You deserve freedom in your relationship with food. I strive to provide a counseling environment that offers affirming care, a sense of belonging, and the tools you need to feel supported on your journey with food and your body.
Do you suffer from an incurable chronic illness? Have you tried multiple treatment options with limited success? Are you tired of feeling sick and tired? If so, please consider adding me to your team! Some of the conditions I typically treat are: Chronic migraine and other headaches, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Crohn's Disease, Ulcerative Colitis, Lupus, Fibromyalgia, Arthritis, Joint/Muscle Pain, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, ADD/ADHD, Austism/ASD, Epilepsy, Narcolepsy, Cancer and Cyclic Vomiting syndrome. If you have not found success with treating these or other chronic illnesses then I would love to work with you!
Do you suffer from an incurable chronic illness? Have you tried multiple treatment options with limited success? Are you tired of feeling sick and tired? If so, please consider adding me to your team! Some of the conditions I typically treat are: Chronic migraine and other headaches, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Crohn's Disease, Ulcerative Colitis, Lupus, Fibromyalgia, Arthritis, Joint/Muscle Pain, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, ADD/ADHD, Austism/ASD, Epilepsy, Narcolepsy, Cancer and Cyclic Vomiting syndrome. If you have not found success with treating these or other chronic illnesses then I would love to work with you!
Hello! I'm a Registered Dietitian who's passionate about providing individualized nutrition care that considers the whole person: mind, body, and spirit. I aim to help clients improve their relationships with food, self-care, and their bodies from a Health At Every Size (HAES) perspective. My counseling approach is based in Intuitive Eating principles and bolstered by somatics and self-compassion-focused behavior change techniques. I'm also aware of the importance of nervous system regulation for positive, sustainable behavior change, thus I'm a proponent of the healing capacity of sensory-engaging practices (like art!)
Hello! I'm a Registered Dietitian who's passionate about providing individualized nutrition care that considers the whole person: mind, body, and spirit. I aim to help clients improve their relationships with food, self-care, and their bodies from a Health At Every Size (HAES) perspective. My counseling approach is based in Intuitive Eating principles and bolstered by somatics and self-compassion-focused behavior change techniques. I'm also aware of the importance of nervous system regulation for positive, sustainable behavior change, thus I'm a proponent of the healing capacity of sensory-engaging practices (like art!)
Online Dietitians and Nutritionists
We are a group practice of Registered Dietitians who specialize in eating disorder recovery, intuitive eating, and an anti-diet approach to wellness. We serve folks virtually in WA and OR and are based in Portland, OR. We value client-centered care by meeting clients where they’re at while providing supportive encouragement for clients to reach towards their goals.
We are a group practice of Registered Dietitians who specialize in eating disorder recovery, intuitive eating, and an anti-diet approach to wellness. We serve folks virtually in WA and OR and are based in Portland, OR. We value client-centered care by meeting clients where they’re at while providing supportive encouragement for clients to reach towards their goals.
Ideal clients are individuals who spend a significant amount of time worrying about their body, weight, and food choices, often feeling trapped in a cycle of restriction, guilt, and frustration. They may believe they'll never achieve their health goals. These clients are ready to explore the diet cycle, challenge misinformation, and develop mindfulness around their thoughts on food, weight, and health. This process helps quiet the constant “food noise” in their minds and fosters greater self-compassion, freedom, and peace with food.
Ideal clients are individuals who spend a significant amount of time worrying about their body, weight, and food choices, often feeling trapped in a cycle of restriction, guilt, and frustration. They may believe they'll never achieve their health goals. These clients are ready to explore the diet cycle, challenge misinformation, and develop mindfulness around their thoughts on food, weight, and health. This process helps quiet the constant “food noise” in their minds and fosters greater self-compassion, freedom, and peace with food.
Carly is a Registered Dietitian who is passionate about helping people live their healthiest lives while fostering a positive relationship with food. She believes in taking a holistic approach to address the complex relationship between nutrition, mental health, and chronic conditions. 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 is a Registered Dietitian who is passionate about helping people live their healthiest lives while fostering a positive relationship with food. She believes in taking a holistic approach to address the complex relationship between nutrition, mental health, and chronic conditions. 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.
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.