Melanie DeSylva

#Licensed Dietitian, BSc Food, Nutrition & Health Melanie (Mel) is a University of British Columbia graduate, earning a Bachelor of Science in Food, Nutrition and Health, majoring in Dietetics. She is a member in good standing with the College of Health and Care Professionals of BC. Mel works as both a private practice dietitian and a clinical research dietitian in the Greater Vancouver area. As such, she is well versed in both preventative nutrition health care and chronic disease management. Regardless of where she provides care, Mel approaches nutrition counselling with a holistic mindset; keeping in mind that food is much more than just fuel. She realizes that food is culture, it is creation, it is social and sometimes it is comfort. Mel translates evidence-based nutrition recommendations into practical eating strategies to help people turn their nutrition goals into sustainable changes. She will not prescribe a rigid eating plan that has strict rules around food. Mel promotes mindful and intuitive eating that focuses on a person's health, not their body weight or size. Her integrative approach supports clients to achieve sustained improvements in not only their nutritional health, but their activity level, sleep quality and stress management. **Why Work With Mel?** Mel’s mission is to help her patients understand that there truly are no 'good' or 'bad' foods, and how to healthfully incorporate all the foods you enjoy into a nourishing, flexible diet. Mel will never judge your diet or prescribe a rigid eating plan with strict rules that strips all the fun and joy from eating! She promotes mindful and intuitive eating that focuses on a person's health, not their body weight or size. Her integrative approach addresses and supports all facets of health, not just your nutrition! **How can Mel help You?** Preventative Health & Healthy Aging Discover a healthy lifestyle that helps reduce your risk for chronic illness and allow you to live your life with vitality! Health is not found through depriving yourself of foods you love; work with Mel to find your best balance to achieve good health now and in the future. **Support for Acute & Chronic Conditions** Learn how diet can help manage your condition to help you stay in control of your health: • Gut & digestive health (IBS, digestive intolerances, microbiome support, and more.) • Anti-inflammatory diet • Cardiovascular health (blood pressure, cholesterol, triglycerides, and more.) • Insulin resistance and diabetes (including PCOS management) **Nutrition for Sleep & the Irregular Schedule** Having an irregular schedule due to shift-work, working in the aviation industry or regularly travelling for business can put a major strain on your health, increasing your risk for health conditions such as high blood pressure, insulin resistance and insomnia. A well-timed, nutritious diet can help energise the system and promote better sleep. Receive support to help find your rhythm and keeping you functioning at your best. **Break the Dieting Cycle** Are you ready to stop yo-yo dieting? Tired of repeatedly feeling hungry and deprived trying to lose weight? Learn to nourish and take care of your body to finally find good health, both physically and mentally. Mel will support you to unlearn harmful, restrictive eating habits and learn how to listen to and embrace your body's needs through mindful and intuitive eating approaches so you can live your best life in your best body. **Diet Evolution** Interested in changing your diet to become vegetarian? Vegan? Removing dairy? Or are you just wanting to incorporate more plant-based meals? Learn how to expertly transition your diet, no matter your starting point, into one that meets all of your nutritional needs while still being delicious and satisfying. **Get Comfortable in the Kitchen** Even novice cooks can learn to create delicious and nutritious meals without spending a lot of time in the kitchen or money at the store. Find support for recipes, meal prep or even meal planning. Build confidence in what you are doing and maximise your money by minimising your food waste!