Today we’d like to introduce you to Jillian Greaves.
Jillian, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Food has always been a big part of my life. I grew up in a family of foodies where food was celebrated and home cooked meals and family dinners were an integral part of my upbringing. I also grew up eating my fair share of “junk food” and never thought twice about grabbing a mountain dew and a bag of chips when I was hungry.
In 2009, my brother Kyle was diagnosed with cancer. My world was turned upside down when I learned about the 11-month chemotherapy and radiation treatments he would have to endure. The doctors recommended feeding tubes, and for my Kyle, that was one more procedure and one more way to feel powerless. Then, we met the Registered Dietitian on his team at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. She didn’t talk procedures. She empowered Kyle with a menu of what he could eat to get the calories and nutrients he needed to maintain a healthy weight and minimize the side effects of treatment. Under her guidance, Kyle was able to fight through radiation without a feeding tube and with the strength and energy, he needed to heal. This experience was transformational for me because it opened my eyes to the power of nutritious foods and the role of food in the prevention and management of a disease. I realized then that I wanted to pursue a career in nutrition.
I began studying nutrition at UMass Amherst where I earned my undergraduate degree in Human Nutrition and Dietetics. After graduating, I briefly worked as a diet technician at a rehab facility before starting my first job in nutrition research at the USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging. I worked in nutrition research for almost 4 years while getting my Masters Degree in Public Health Nutrition at Tufts University. I then went on to complete my training to become a Registered Dietitian at the University of Michigan. While living in Michigan, Prevention Pantry was born as a creative outlet and means for sharing simple, healthy recipes and nutrition tips on instagram.
After passing the RD exam, I took my first job as an outpatient dietitian at Boston Medical Center in their Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Weight Management Clinic counseling patients with conditions such as diabetes, kidney disease, hypertension and heart disease. In January of this year, I started a private nutrition counseling practice and the rest is history!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Heck no! My path to becoming a Registered Dietitian and getting to where I am today has been anything but straight and narrow. It involved a lot of hard work and sacrifice – like working full-time in research while getting my Masters Degree for 3+ years and leaving my boyfriend and family to move 1/2 way across the country to pursue a dietetic internship at the University of Michigan. It also involved a lot of set backs and humbling moments – like working in a kitchen and wearing a hairnet every day after graduating with my bachelor’s degree in nutrition and originally being waitlisted at Tufts and having to reapply to their Master’s program. Starting my own private practice has also been scary, exciting and bumpy, but so far it is likely the most rewarding risk I have ever taken. The saying that nothing worth having comes easy has become my mantra!
For young women just starting their journey, I would tell them to be confident in themselves and to know their value, to take risks and say yes to experiences that make them uncomfortable and to avoid comparing themselves to others. It’s too easy with social media these days to fall into the comparison trap and lose ourselves in what other people are doing. Focus on living out your values and enjoy the journey!
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Prevention Pantry Nutrition – what should we know?
Prevention Pantry Nutrition is a private nutrition counseling and lifestyle practice offering both in-person and virtual services to individuals. I combine evidenced-based, medical nutrition therapy with mindful eating and traditional foods to help individuals of all ages increase their energy, balance hormones, improve digestion and live healthier and happier lives. I’m passionate about empowering others to discover what their bodies need through a personalized and holistic approach towards nutrition.
Food is one of our most powerful tools in the prevention and management of a disease. We also live in a culture where different diets and products are being marketed to us every day, along with conflicting nutrition messages that make deciding what to eat stressful and confusing. In my practice, I strive to help clients achieve maximum wellbeing by considering the whole person and their unique needs in my approach. My goal is to remove the stress and confusion around food, to translate the science of nutrition in a way that is applicable, and to support clients in their personal nutrition and health journey. I provide nutrition counseling to adults with a variety of conditions with a special interest in PCOS, gastrointestinal conditions, autoimmune disease and weight management through a non-diet approach.
One of my favorite hobbies is creating simple, wholesome and flavorful recipes that promote health and happiness. I share real-life recipes on my Instagram and blog weekly.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.preventionpantry.com/
- Phone: 857-244-0162
- Email: jillian@preventionpantry.com
- Instagram: @preventionpantry
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/preventionpantry/
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