Erin Davis 2023: Nutrition and Wellness
Erin Davis, MS, RDN, CDCES is a highly qualified and experienced registered dietitian and certified diabetes care and education specialist. With a passion for helping people lead healthier lives, Erin has dedicated her career to educating and empowering individuals to make positive dietary and lifestyle changes. Her extensive expertise in diabetes care and nutrition has made her a sought-after expert in the field, and she has helped countless individuals manage their diabetes and improve their overall health through personalized nutrition counseling and education.
In this feature, Erin shares her insights on intuitive eating, common nutritional mistakes, and lifestyle changes people can make for better health.
Please tell us a bit about your background and what led you to a career in nutrition and wellness?
When I first went to college, I actually didn’t know dietitians existed. It was an elective nutrition course taught by a bright and knowledgeable dietitian that spurred on my interest in nutrition and I ended up changing my major. So one class changed the trajectory of my career! I absolutely love listening to peoples’ stories. We are so much more than what we eat, and I have fun getting to know my clients and working together to improve overall wellness.
What is intuitive eating and the principles behind it?
Intuitive eating is a way of eating that relies on the body’s natural hunger and fullness cues, gentle nutrition, and shedding diet culture to improve your relationship with food. An evidence-based model that was created by dietitians, Evelyn Tribole and Elyse Resch, intuitive eating includes the following principles:
Reject the Diet Mentality
Honor Your Hunger
Make Peace with Food
Challenge the Food Police
Respect Your Fullness
Discover the Satisfaction Factor
Honor Your Feelings without Using Food
Respect Your Body
Exercise—Feel the Difference
Honor Your Health with Gentle Nutrition
What are some of the most common nutritional mistakes that you observe people making?
I would say I most often hear people classify food as either good or bad, and then feel guilty if they have eaten something they consider bad. Another mistake I frequently see is people attempting to follow really restrictive diets, and then subsequently binging on the foods they have been avoiding on a cheat day.
If you could persuade people to change three things about their lifestyle, what would that be?
Focus on adding in high-quality, nutrient-dense foods, instead of taking things out of the diet.
Find movement you enjoy! Not everyone likes to run on a treadmill, and that’s okay. Play outside with the kids, kayak, snowshoe, dance, etc. Do something fun.
Slow down and avoid overscheduling yourself. When we are always busy, we sometimes push past our biological hunger and then overdo it when we finally get around to eating.
Are there any non-negotiable self-care practices that you regularly follow or would recommend?
I wake up early every morning to have quiet time to myself. It helps me start my day feeling grounded and ready to tackle my to-do list. Also, I love lifting weights and taking time out of my day to get some fresh air. Even when I’m not feeling like it, I tell myself to just do some physical activity for 5 minutes, giving myself full permission to stop if I want. Rarely do I stop after 5 minutes have passed.
To learn more or get in touch with Erin visit
www.erindavisrd.com
