I recently spoke with Shatabdi Basu, creator of the Savoir App and Concierge Dietitian, about the struggles of eating healthy in our real everyday lives, and how her app and new nutritionist service can help. But before I delve into that, let’s get real for second…
We all want to look and feel good, right? Really, when it all comes down to it – that’s what we are all striving for. That’s also why a lot of us don’t like to restrict our diets… feeling good sometimes involves indulging in a delicious meal! (It’s true.) But I am a firm believer in the idea that you can indulge within moderation and that delicious meals can be healthy, too. You just need to be mindful about all of the choices you make.
I haven’t always had this relationship with food. I was a little bit of a chubster growing up 🙂 I didn’t have any clue that there were addictive chemicals in so many products, what empty calories meant, or how to fill up on healthy options instead of sneaking extra chocolate covered raisins from the pantry. It wasn’t until college that both my Mom and I really learned about things like High Fructose Corn Syrup and Hydrogenated Soybean Oil; or watched the documentary
Forks Over Knives; or started taking
Juice Plus+ supplements to ensure that we got our daily amounts of my fruits and vegetables each day. In that time, I learned that a plant-based whole foods diet works best for me and my body. I also learned that when I get off that wagon, my body isn’t as happy with me and it requires a few extra tough yoga classes to get back on track.
I feel lucky that I’ve learned all of this about myself. Some people feel like the best part of their life was when they didn’t care and they could rely on their fast metabolism to look great. A part of me is still jealous of those people (
obviously!), but I also love that I figured out how to take care of myself in my 20s. I appreciate my body and I appreciate the food that I put into it. No, I’m not perfect and yes, of course I still struggle with cravings, (
because I’m human and there’s nothing better than pizza and pasta) but there are ways to satisfy your cravings in a healthy way.
Okay so what am I getting at? Well, this is two fold. First, there’s a new app called
Savoir, that will tell you all about Chicago’s best restaurants with recommendations and reviews from dietitians. You’re going to
Bar Siena (pictured above) and you’re nervous because you usually gravitate towards the most fattening things on the menu? This can help you decide on healthier items, that are also still crazy delicious. Win win. Plus, eating out shouldn’t be stressful. As long as you are mindful, you are allowed to enjoy your meal.
Go ahead 🙂
But let’s say you’re at a weird crossroads and you want some real help. You don’t want to commit to anything too intense or expensive like Weight Watchers, you eat out a lot because of work and a really restrictive diet isn’t realistic, or you’ve tried to do it on your own and nothing is working. Enter
Concierge Dietitian. This service, from the same creators as the
Savoir app, will pair you with a nutritionist who will help you meet your goals in an affordable way that makes sense for you. This isn’t one trip to a doctor’s office or bi-weekly meetings – this is a cheerleader in your corner, helping to create plans that are you unique to you and available via email whenever you have a question.
Thinking about going paleo but don’t know what to buy at the grocery store or what to eat when you’re at a restaurant? They can help.
Looking to loose a lot of weight, but terrified of the first step? This is the least scary way to get started.
Looking to maintain your weight and avoid slipping into bad habits before your wedding? They’ve got you.
Literally, they will check in with you to see what you ate that day – I tried it out this past week and I told my nutritionist that I was having a really stressful week. I woke up the next morning to an email with meal/snack ideas AND I ended the day with an email asking how I did and how I feel! She also reminded me that stress can cause inflammation, so I upped the amount of anti-inflammatory foods and spices this week. Boom! It really is like having someone in your corner rooting for your success. And no, they won’t judge you if you had some dessert or a few extra glasses of wine the night before… but they will help you create a meal plan for the next day so you can get back on track. Yes, I mean meal plans designed for you – no one size fits all here. Best of all, these people live right here in Chicago, so you can tell them where you’re going for lunch with a client and they can help you make the right decision. What?! Yup!
Honestly, I think what really makes this unique is that it will help you create practical habits that you can sustain throughout the rest of your life. This isn’t a 6 month fix and this certainly isn’t about counting calories like a lot of other dieting services. This is about getting to know your food and figuring what works for your body. If that sounds like a place you’ve always had trouble reaching, let them help! You can test it out for a whole week completely for free – what have you got to lose?
Do you guys struggle with eating healthy? How do you maintain a balance?
*This post was sponsored by Concierge Dietitian but as always, all opinions are my own.
Thank you for supporting the companies that make Lake Shore Lady possible!
September 25, 2015 @ 3:40 pm
This app seems like a lifesaver!! Thanks for sharing!
September 25, 2015 @ 6:36 pm
Downloading now! I am really terrible at finding great places with healthy options – mac and cheese is going to win every time! And side note, love me some Bar Siena! Hope you have a great weekend, love! XO
Anna
alilyloveaffair.com
September 27, 2015 @ 12:47 am
Love this and love the idea of promoting healthy eating! As a nutrition major (soon to be RD!) I completely agree with moderation in small amounts – I typically try to treat myself with something sweet every night whether it be fruit and cool whip or a few spoonfuls of my fave ice cream!
Also, just a side note, there's a difference between a nutritionist and dietitian! It's a common mistake, but an RD actually has to complete an accredited program where as anyone can call themselves a nutritionist in most states 🙂
September 27, 2015 @ 3:57 pm
Savoir Concierge Dietitian has all registered dietitians (RD) as coaches. Thanks for pointing out the difference.
September 27, 2015 @ 4:00 pm
So, glad you like the Savoir app. Try the Concierge Dietitian service. I'm sure you will love it!
September 27, 2015 @ 4:06 pm
Hope Savoir is helpful to you. Search for places with the filter FitLens. if you need more customized advice on dining out options, try our Concierge Dietitian service. People find it extremely helpful.