Here & Human Wellness

Here & Human Wellness

How 25 Years as a Dietitian Changed the Way I See Weight and Wellness

Plus the menu for the week of August 11-15th

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Jennifer McDaniel
Aug 08, 2025
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One of the most human things we do is evolve. We learn, we grow, we change our minds. And yet, it’s so easy to look back at earlier versions of ourselves and think, I should have known better. But that’s not fair. We are all doing the best we can with what we know at the time.

Lately, I’ve been reflecting on how much I’ve evolved in my work as a dietitian and wellness coach—especially in the space of weight.

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The Early Years

When I started out as a 22-year-old dietitian, most of my work centered on helping people lose weight. That’s what people came to see me for—and honestly, I enjoyed those conversations and felt like I was making a difference.

But the way I approached it was all about manipulating the externals: calories, behaviors, habits, and exercise. Things look a lot different now… and I’ll get to that.

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