As a Registered Dietitian, I want to serve my community by leveraging my strengths in interpersonal communication and knowledge of food and food safety with my extensive experience in the food service industry. I am called to provide respectful and affirming nutrition services to gender expansive adults and teens struggling with body image, undergoing gender affirming treatment, or seeking weight and lifestyle management. My approach combines concepts from naturopathic practices and herbalism with a clinical approach to medical nutrition therapy.
According to the National Transgender Discrimination Survey, 19% of trans and gender diverse identifying people were refused medical care due to their gender identity. For those who could receive medical care, 50% felt they had to teach their practitioner about transgender care.
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In a focus group that I conducted for my university's capstone project, I learned that one woman undergoing gender affirming hormone therapy had to have her gallbladder removed. She lost a body part because her physician didn't take the time to explain the risks of therapy. Additionally, this could have been prevented through proper diet and lifestyle. That's where I can help. With my passion to help those in the LGBTQ+ community, especially trans and gender diverse folks, I can use my expertise in medical nutrition therapy to prevent this from happening again.