Meet Think Green
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My Licenses and Credentials:
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My Education:
Masters in Medical Nutrition from the University of Nebraska Medical Center Bachelors of Science in Nutritional Sciences with a minor in biochemistry from the University of Arizona |
My Story
I was constantly in and out of doctors offices due to intense stomach pain that continued to be undiagnosed. I was always in pain, but I would push through. I began to discover that certain foods or stressful situations worsened my symptoms. Even with medical treatment, my symptoms did not resolve and I decided to take my health into my own hands. Around the same time, I was introduced to a vegetarian lifestyle as one of my close friends decided to reduce her meat consumption to reduce animal-cruelty. I began to change how I was eating...
I felt a strong desire to eliminate animal-products, and learn about nutrients from plants. I started to eat new foods, and more importantly a larger variety of nutrient-rich foods. My lifestyle began to work for me. My symptoms improved, and I felt renewed. I was a competitive dancer, who now had the energy and health to be able to train for many hours each day. As I was getting ready to graduate high school, I felt unsure of my path. I was encouraged to think about health and fitness careers. I took a leap of faith and committed to a bachelors degree in nutritional science as this aligned with my personal story of nutrition for better health. I still was unsure of what this career would look like. As I was going through the courses, I learned about the various areas a dietitian could work, and then my life took a turn. I received a life changing phone call.
While on my own in a new state exploring my future career, I received a call from my dad who told me he had just been diagnosed with cancer. This is this news no one expects or ever wants to hear. I was not only sad, but extremely shocked to hear this. Why? My dad was always very active and maintained a lean body image. I thought someone like him could not fall ill, but I was wrong. What I didn't see was the high stress job he did every day, the environmental exposures he was faced with throughout his life, and the foods he put into his body.
As my dad began aggressive treatments for his cancer, I supported him in the best ways possible while continuing my schooling. I was beginning to learn about nutrition therapy, a type therapeutic service provided by a nutrition professional to help people manage symptoms of disease or manage the disease itself. I kept thinking about my dad. I started to use my knowledge to help him stay healthy enough to endure the life-saving treatments he was receiving. After various rounds of treatment, he was finally given the news he was cancer-clear. A sign that he did not have any cancer at the time, but he still had to follow up regularly. During this time, he started to experience another decline in his health. He began to learn about the side effects of the toxic, yet life-saving treatments he received. Over the next few years, he was diagnosed with lung and heart conditions. These health concerns almost became worse than the cancer itself. My dad was alive, but still fighting.
I now had a bachelors degree in nutritional science and decided to go into clinical nutrition. I felt drawn to be able to help people like my dad, to help them tolerate their treatments and manage their diseases. I continued my education in medical nutrition. I also continued to learn more valuable information to help my dad. While I worked to refine my clinical skills, I also worked with my dad to change his lifestyle. Over the course of my education and training, my dad went through some of the most difficult experiences with his health. My dad began to really understand the importance of nutrition, as I taught him all I could. He is alive, and doing better than ever with the new lifestyle habits he has formed.
From a young age when I changed my own dietary habits to improve my well-being, I did not know it would lead to me providing nutrition support to help my dad overcome his immense health conditions. These tough health experiences propelled me to want to help more people. I founded Think Green Nutrition in the spring of 2020. I have been able to provide nutrition therapy and counseling to many clients facing their own health issues. I continue to expand and enhance my knowledge to better help people achieve the quality of life and longevity they deserve.
I am grateful to have the knowledge and expertise I do, and to be able to use it to support people like my dad.
Thank you for taking the time to know me and my story.
-Alison
I felt a strong desire to eliminate animal-products, and learn about nutrients from plants. I started to eat new foods, and more importantly a larger variety of nutrient-rich foods. My lifestyle began to work for me. My symptoms improved, and I felt renewed. I was a competitive dancer, who now had the energy and health to be able to train for many hours each day. As I was getting ready to graduate high school, I felt unsure of my path. I was encouraged to think about health and fitness careers. I took a leap of faith and committed to a bachelors degree in nutritional science as this aligned with my personal story of nutrition for better health. I still was unsure of what this career would look like. As I was going through the courses, I learned about the various areas a dietitian could work, and then my life took a turn. I received a life changing phone call.
While on my own in a new state exploring my future career, I received a call from my dad who told me he had just been diagnosed with cancer. This is this news no one expects or ever wants to hear. I was not only sad, but extremely shocked to hear this. Why? My dad was always very active and maintained a lean body image. I thought someone like him could not fall ill, but I was wrong. What I didn't see was the high stress job he did every day, the environmental exposures he was faced with throughout his life, and the foods he put into his body.
As my dad began aggressive treatments for his cancer, I supported him in the best ways possible while continuing my schooling. I was beginning to learn about nutrition therapy, a type therapeutic service provided by a nutrition professional to help people manage symptoms of disease or manage the disease itself. I kept thinking about my dad. I started to use my knowledge to help him stay healthy enough to endure the life-saving treatments he was receiving. After various rounds of treatment, he was finally given the news he was cancer-clear. A sign that he did not have any cancer at the time, but he still had to follow up regularly. During this time, he started to experience another decline in his health. He began to learn about the side effects of the toxic, yet life-saving treatments he received. Over the next few years, he was diagnosed with lung and heart conditions. These health concerns almost became worse than the cancer itself. My dad was alive, but still fighting.
I now had a bachelors degree in nutritional science and decided to go into clinical nutrition. I felt drawn to be able to help people like my dad, to help them tolerate their treatments and manage their diseases. I continued my education in medical nutrition. I also continued to learn more valuable information to help my dad. While I worked to refine my clinical skills, I also worked with my dad to change his lifestyle. Over the course of my education and training, my dad went through some of the most difficult experiences with his health. My dad began to really understand the importance of nutrition, as I taught him all I could. He is alive, and doing better than ever with the new lifestyle habits he has formed.
From a young age when I changed my own dietary habits to improve my well-being, I did not know it would lead to me providing nutrition support to help my dad overcome his immense health conditions. These tough health experiences propelled me to want to help more people. I founded Think Green Nutrition in the spring of 2020. I have been able to provide nutrition therapy and counseling to many clients facing their own health issues. I continue to expand and enhance my knowledge to better help people achieve the quality of life and longevity they deserve.
I am grateful to have the knowledge and expertise I do, and to be able to use it to support people like my dad.
Thank you for taking the time to know me and my story.
-Alison