Today we’d like to introduce you to Lisa Young.
Hi Lisa, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was always interested in food and nutrition as a kid. I was influenced by my grandma Ceil, who was fighting breast cancer as well as struggling with weight. She was my inspiration, because she turned to nutrition and healthy eating as a way to fight her cancer, and she did, indeed, live with cancer for 20 years. In college, at the Wharton University of Pennsylvania, I majored in health care administration and sought out all elective classes that were nutrition- and food-related. And so my passion began.
After running a weight-loss program for 3 years, I decided to go back to graduate school and formally study nutrition. I received a master’s degree and a Ph.D. in nutrition, and I’m a registered dietitian nutritionist. I published 2 books and numerous academic articles on my research on growing portion sizes in the US and its relationship with obesity. This area of study is important because many people blame carbs, fats, or protein for weight gain but really it’s the portions!
All foods fit yet it is important to pay attention to the size of your portions. I practice positive nutrition— focus on healthy foods you can add to your food plan to lead a healthier life.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Of course not; it never is. On the positive, I loved what I was studying and really enjoyed all of the work I was doing and the classes I took along the way. However, it was a very long road. I went to business school as an undergraduate (Wharton Univ of Pennsylvania) so I had to take many undergrad science courses as part of my master’s degree.
Work-wise, I’ve also done a variety of different jobs along the way, liking some more than others.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am an internationally recognized nutritionist, portion size expert, and adjunct professor of nutrition at New York University with three decades of experience in the health and wellness space. I’m also the author of Finally Full, Finally Slim: 30 Days to Permanent Weight Loss One Portion at Time (Center Street/Hachette,) and The Portion Teller Plan (Crown/Random House) and regularly called upon by major media outlets as an authority on nutrition and health.
I coach clients on nutrition and health, am a contributor to US News & World Report, and inspire her community to make healthy food and lifestyle choices.
I counsel adults, children, and families on weight loss, a range of medical nutrition issues, wellness, and behavior modification (VIRTUAL appointments available). I design individualized programs unique to YOU based on your health & medical needs, lifestyle, and food preferences. As a seasoned professional, I focus on the whole person, integrating mind and body.
Because good health is so much more than what you eat, in my work with clients, I address other pillars like sleep, movement, mood, and stress.
Clients are in good hands. I have 20+ yrs experience plus additional qualifications than most registered dietitians/nutritionists. I hold a Ph.D. in nutrition, am a published author, have conducted research at prestigious medical centers, and consulted for various weight management programs. Best of all, you will not feel deprived or hungry working with me.
I am available for private nutrition counseling sessions, group classes, family nutrition plans, corporate wellness programs, lectures, media interviews, and more. I have successfully worked with clients doing both virtual and in-person nutrition coaching.
I also offer group coaching. Because support and accountability are essential to meeting your wellness goals, I offer private online coaching groups to help like-minded people on a path to improving their lives. You’ll have guidance and a sounding board, and partners in your goals who can help keep you motivated.
What I’m known for—I’ve observed the portion sizes of commonly consumed foods increasing—really quite a lot. No one was talking about big portions in the 1990s, and I decided to write my doctoral dissertation on growing portions. Sodas, fast food, restaurant portions, bagels, candy, and most other foods have increased in size. Many foods we commonly eat are now 2 to 5 times larger than they were 50 years ago. That’s a huge increase, which certainly explains our obesity epidemic in the US. Plates, mugs, cup holders in cars, and even hospital gowns, have increased in size. I also wrote 2 books on portion control— The Portion Teller and Finally Full, Finally Slim
My food philosophy: All foods fit. Eat what you love. If you love food, don’t give it up. Enjoy it! Be mindful of your portion size (but don’t obsess!) And enjoy lots of colorful fruits and veggies. (Healthy eating should not be complicated or stressful!) Think about what you can add to your diet rather than take foods away— crowd it out, as I say!!
Eating healthfully is about balance and moderation. It’s about eating foods from all the food groups, varying your food choices, and, of course, watching your portions. There is an exception, however, when it comes to fruits and veggies. It’s very hard to get people to eat less because they feel deprived. A simple solution is to recommend that they eat more fruits and veggies, which are super-nutritious, high in fiber, low in calories, and a win-win for weight loss. As I tell clients, no one got fat eating too many carrots.
Who else deserves credit for your story?
I’ve had many advocates and cheerleaders who helped me forge my way.
On a personal level, my family especially my parents and my grandma Ceil cheered me on and let me pursue my dream. Professionally, I’ve had teachers and supervisors who influenced my career. Most influential were 2 mentors who stood out.
Dr. Marion Nestle, my mentor and thesis advisor at NYU played a big influence. She was the source of encouragement and support, despite the fact that what I was studying was “out of the box.”
Dr. Bridget Chufo, my boss and mentor at Slim Time Weight Loss Centers was a big influence. Despite being out of college for just a short time, she believed in me to manage our NYC center. Running the center exposed me to nutrition, a career I later set out to pursue.
Contact Info:
- Website: drlisayoung.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/drlisayoung?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
- Facebook: @drlisayoung
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlisayoung/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/drlisayoung
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@wellnesswithdrlisayoung
- Other: https://linktr.ee/drlisayoung?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=26d2edb9-d0e1-4087-8378-f29753760ac6
