Learning how to take care of my body has not been an easy task. Conflicting opinions and schools of thought about what to eat and how to live are everywhere. I drew wisdom from my parents making healthy changes to our diet when I was young; then I went to college and became a dietitian to learn all I could about food. I have traveled all over the world to experience different food and lifestyle philosophies. In the end, I’ve learned three important lessons that form the heartbeat of the philosophy I want to share with you:
1) You gotta practice body love.
Another way to say it: Be nice to you. Eat well and exercise because you love your body and want to take care of it, not because you hate it and wish it were different. The only way to be successful and stay motivated is to stop judging yourself and be kind. That doesn’t mean you have to just accept the weight and health you have, but it does mean to say nice things to yourself and be your own biggest cheerleader as you work to create change and improvements. Good news—the more you practice this on yourself, the easier it is to have less judgment and more compassion for others, too.
2) You’re the boss.
No one magic way to eat or live works for everyone. Celebrities, the health-nut chick in your office, and even research and reputable gurus contradict each other. You can draw inspiration from all of these sources—but you have to test ideas and then tune in to see what works for YOUR body. Ultimately only you will know what makes your body feel healthy and your mind feel satisfied. We all have an inner food ninja who can confidently make food decisions – all we need to do is slow down and listen.
3) Secret ingredients are half-ass + fun.
Focusing on change that is complicated or feels like a drag is a recipe for failure. Going from the couch to marathon training or spending hours on meal-planning sets you up for feeling overwhelmed and leads to inaction (and possibly injury). Far better to keep change simple. Start with a few basic habits, then add more complicated stuff after each win. And above all, start with things you “want to” change, instead of those things you think you “should” or “have to.” Something magical happens to people when they are excited about what they are doing.
I am an expert in:
- individualized eating strategies based on personality, preferences & lifestyle
- healthy habit creation & motivation
- thinking pattern therapy to stop self-sabatage
Five things you can expect from me that you won’t get from other nutrition gurus:
1) “RDN” Credentials. I’ve worked hard to earn my Registered Dietitian Nutritionist credentials, so you can trust the information I will give you is credible.
2) Research PLUS. Yes, I give you science-based info PLUS I weave in my personal experience working with thousands of clients over 15+ years.
3) Real Food Focus. I apply my solid cooking background to wholesome, nourishing, plant-based foods. I can teach you how to retrain your taste buds, recalibrate portions naturally and redirect cravings.
4) Realistic Approach. We live in a time-crunched, rushed society. My style is to be flexible and personalize your plan to your schedule & routine. I will teach you smart shortcuts to make your current life healthier.
5) Results Oriented. I am dedicated to helping you achieve your goals. Results: you’ll feel more energy, manage disease, lose weight. It’s not enough that I give you information. I want to teach you how to take action and really change your life.
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Dawn Jackson Blatner is a registered dietitian and certified specialist in sports dietetics. Dawn is the nutrition consultant for the World Series Champion Chicago Cubs, a food and nutrition blogger with Huffington Post, and a nutrition expert on the advisory board of SHAPE Magazine. She is the author of two award-winning books: The Flexitarian Diet, ranked a top plant-based diet by US News & World Report and The Superfood Swap. Dawn recently starred in (and WON!) the hit primetime ABC television show called, My Diet Is Better Than Yours.
Dawn received Lifetime Television’s “Remarkable Woman Award” for her work in the field of nutrition and has over 15 years experience working with clients to super-charge their health. She is the creator of the Nutrition WOW blog & weekly eblast, which just got ranked top nutrition blog by Health magazine. She is a trusted expert appearing regularly in local and national media outlets such as The Today Show and Good Morning America Health and she creates recipes for national publications such as Vegetarian Times, Yoga Journal and Fitness Magazine.
Dawn has worked as the dietitian for Lifetime Television, Wild Oats healthfood store, The Chopping Block cooking school, exclusive beauty spas, DePaul University and Northwestern Memorial Hospital Wellness Institute. She was a national media spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics for 9 years.
When she’s not traveling the world sharing her nutrition philosophy, you can find Dawn in her hometown of Chicago…at a farmers market feeling up produce for freshness, in the kitchen testing out new recipes or jogging to pop music. She has an awesome stepson and lives with her handsome husband Chris and part-time shih tzu, Mr. Nuts. Her website, DawnJacksonBlatner.com, is packed with resources focused on real food, more fun and no b.s. for people who want to eat right & feel awesome.
