Learn More About Melanee And IFxN
“We can feel amazing and improve our health regardless of our size, because frankly, you are much more than a body, and you have better things to spend your time and energy on than constantly trying to shrink and be less than the amazing being you were made to be.“
My Values as a Nutritionist:
- You are the expert on your body. Your lived experience is valid and important.
- I am here to support you and be on your team through your healing journey.
- Nutrition interventions must never lead to worse mental health outcomes.
- Our bodies have incredible healing abilities; nutrition plays a role in assisting the body as it heals.
- Your nutritionist should be a good fit for you. If we are not a good fit I will refer you to trusted nutritionists to help you find the right fit.
- I don’t have all the answers, but I value learning and research and make it a regular part of my practice and care with all of my clients.
- I value collaboration and integration with other healthcare professionals to provide continuity of care for clients.
- Your plan will be personalized and unique – no “one-size-fits-all” approaches.
My Values as a Nutritionist:
- You are the expert on your body. Your lived experience is valid and important.
- I am here to support you and be on your team through your healing journey.
- Nutrition interventions must never lead to worse mental health outcomes.
- Our bodies have incredible healing abilities; nutrition plays a role in assisting the body as it heals.
- Your nutritionist should be a good fit for you. If we are not a good fit I will refer you to trusted nutritionists to help you find the right fit.
- I don’t have all the answers, but I value learning and research and make it a regular part of my practice and care with all of my clients.
- I value collaboration and integration with other healthcare professionals to provide continuity of care for clients.
- Your plan will be personalized and unique – no “one-size-fits-all” approaches.
My Values as a Nutritionist
- You are the expert on your body. Your lived experience is valid and important.
- I am here to support you and be on your team through your healing journey.
- Nutrition interventions must never lead to worse mental health outcomes.
- Our bodies have incredible healing abilities; nutrition plays a role in assisting the body as it heals.
- Your nutritionist should be a good fit for you. If we are not a good fit I will refer you to trusted nutritionists to help you find the right fit.
- I don’t have all the answers, but I value learning and research and make it a regular part of my practice and care with all of my clients.
- I value collaboration and integration with other healthcare professionals to provide continuity of care for clients.
- Your plan will be personalized and unique – no “one-size-fits-all” approaches.
Professional Associations
EDRD PRO
To improve the lives of people impacted by eating disorders by empowering eating disorder professionals and students around the world with community connection and cutting-edge, anti-oppression-based knowledge and training.
Intuitive Eating Pros
We are eager to spread the message of Intuitive Eating to help people make peace with food and create a healthy relationship with eating, mind and body.
American Nutrition Association
The ANA envisions a society of Healthy People, Powered by Nutrition. We bring that vision to life through our mission to Champion the Science and Practice of Personalized Nutrition.
IAEDP Foundation
IAEDP is well recognized for its excellence in providing first-quality education and high-level training standards to an international multidisciplinary group of various healthcare treatment providers and helping professionals who treat the full spectrum of eating disorders
EDRD PRO
To improve the lives of people impacted by eating disorders by empowering eating disorder professionals and students around the world with community connection and cutting-edge, anti-oppression-based knowledge and training.
IAEDP Foundation
IAEDP is well recognized for its excellence in providing first-quality education and high-level training standards to an international multidisciplinary group of various healthcare treatment providers and helping professionals who treat the full spectrum of eating disorders
American Nutrition Association
The American Nutrition Association® is a 501c3 charitable non-profit organization. The ANA envisions a society of Healthy People, Powered by Nutrition. We bring that vision to life through our mission to Champion the Science and Practice of Personalized Nutrition.
Intuitive Eating Pros
We are eager to spread the message of Intuitive Eating to help people make peace with food and create a healthy relationship with eating, mind and body.
My 2-Sided Approach To Nutrition
The Functional Side
Nutrition is a key component of body function. When we are experiencing unexplained symptoms exploring if there is a nutrient component can be very helpful. Even when dealing with mental health, the brain needs nutrients to run well. During your time in nutrition care, we will assess your symptoms and look for ways nutrition can help alleviate those symptoms.… This may involve working with your doctor to assess blood work. It could involve running functional labs to assess your gut health, hormones, or other nutrient values. Medical nutrition therapy can make a world of difference in how you feel and your body’s ability to heal and function optimally. Nutrition can help you go from just surviving to thriving and enjoying life.
The Behavioral Side
Your relationship with food is a number one priority in my clinic. I fiercely believe that even with a medical condition, a positive relationship with food is of the utmost importance. After all, if you have experienced a poor relationship with food you know that your mental and often physical health is not in a great place. That is why we talk about your relationship with food in my clinic.…
Even if you are seeing me for a condition that needs medical nutrition therapy, those foods must be incorporated into your diet in a way that does not leave you worse off than when you began.
Clients who have eating disorders or disordered eating especially benefit from this 2-sided approach. Your physical symptoms need attention, and we can do that while also improving and healing your relationship with food and body.
It is my belief that if a client is struggling to implement an intervention we have talked about it is not a result of “poor compliance,” but rather, information that tells us we have to investigate further. This is part of the behavioral side. What support do YOU need in your real life to eat in a way that aligns with your values and the needs of your body and mind? Together, we will figure that out.
My clients work on their relationship with food and their body in our sessions, so that when we are done working together you never need a nutritionist again.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a CNS or Clinical Nutritionist?
Certified Nutrition Specialists (CNS) have the highest nutrition certificate offered in the US. They are required to have a minimum of a master’s degree in addition to meeting all the requirements to attain Board Certification. CNSs are trained in the functional medicine model, so they consider the whole person in their nutrition plans. CNSs are trained to offer Medical Nutrition Therapy for a variety of medical conditions.
Read more: Connect to blog – What are my options to support my nutrition journey?
What ages do you see?
I work with adults and older teens. My typical client age range is 16-45. However, I do work with older clients if I am a good fit for their needs. I will work with younger teens on occasion. For children, if the child is suffering from an eating disorder I will work with the parents to help them meet the nutritional needs of their child.
Do you make meal plans for me?
In general, I try to empower my clients to plan their own meals. Strict meal plans are no better than the common diet – which I do not promote in my clinic. There are occasions (particularly in eating disorder recovery) when meal planning is appropriate. While I don’t make a meal plan for most of my clients, I do help support you and help give you tools to create your own grocery lists and meal plans.
Read more about anti-diet nutrition: Connect to blog – What is a non-diet approach to nutrition
Do you take insurance?
IFxN currently accepts American Specialty Health and University of Utah Health Plans: Healthy Preferred, Healthy Premier, and Healthy U.
IFxN will provide Super Bills upon request for those insurance plans that we do not currently contract with. This will enable you to receive reimbursement from your insurance carrier for your Medical Nutrition Therapy. Learn More Here
What if I have a physical disease in addition to my mental health and/or disordered eating; will you help with that too?
Absolutely! It is not uncommon for clients to have more than one thing going on when they seek care from a nutritionist. I will help you learn how to support your condition while also improving your relationship with food and improving your mental health. If you have a condition I am not a good match for I will recommend a nutritionist who will be a better fit.
Read more: Connect to blog – Five ways nutrition is related to mental health
How much does it cost?
Your initial assessment is $200. All other appointments are $130. If you need functional labs there is a $50 interpretation fee.
Read more: Connect to blog – What does it cost?
What if I don’t live near Bountiful, UT?
I offer both in-person and telehealth services in my clinic. I work with clients all over Utah. I also have clients in neighboring states. There are some states that I am not licensed to work in. If you are outside of Utah please send me a message and I will let you know if I can help you in your area.
Will you help me lose weight?
Rather than put clients through more of this same roller coaster, we focus on what your health goals are. We can improve health, diet, and quality of life while also doing body image work to accept our bodies where they are. We spend time in our sessions learning why our bodies do what they do, how constant dieting worsens mental/physical health, and then understanding how your body wants to be fed and cared for. When we focus on weight we lose touch with everything else positive that our bodies are communicating to us and we give up on habits that are improving our lives because we don’t see a change in our physical appearance. I like to change the measuring stick away from the-only-thing-that-matters-
What is intuitive eating?
Intuitive eating is a series of 10 principles that help you connect with your body’s innate cues. This allows you to tune into your body’s needs whether they be for comfort, sleep, connection, or food. Through these principles, I help you reject the diet mentality and learn to ally with your body to offer freedom around food.
Read more: Connect to blog – Life as an intuitive eater
If I don’t have recent blood work should I see my doctor before meeting with you?
If you have a medical condition please seek help from your healthcare provider. I coordinate care with your healthcare provider. After your initial intake appointment if you do not have recent blood work, I will work with you and your doctor to get labs that are appropriate for your nutrition care.
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