I am certified by the American Association of Drugless Practitioners. I received my training at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, which is the only nutrition school integrating all the different dietary theories—combining the knowledge of traditional philosophies with modern concepts like the USDA food pyramid, the glycemic index, the Zone, and raw foods. For more information about my education, please go to www.integrativenutrition.com.

In addition to counseling, I'm the New York nutrition examiner at Examiner.com, I've done a bi-weekly nutrition column, called "Safe or Scary?," for AOL's ParentDish blog, and I've written about nutrition for Glamour.com.

I received my BA from Wesleyan University and in a past life was an editor and writer for MTV and ELLE.com.

Testimonials

"After several failed attempts to get my health and weight under control, I realized early this year that I needed to ask for help, since doing it on my own wasn't working. So I got a personal trainer, and found Jennifer, who I describe to others as being my "food therapist." It was incredibly cathartic to vocalize my issues with food, and it really helped me understand myself better. Jennifer is always prepared for each meeting, and after discussing your progress gives you these incredibly useful and enlightening tools and suggestions tailored to address your needs. Jen introduced me to remarkable new methods to handle not just food issues, but stress and sleep problems, among others. 

My biggest triumph with Jennifer was discovering my gluten sensitivity, which had been plaguing me with terrifying digestive issues for over a year. She put me on a food sensitivity diet for two weeks, and my life without gluten is now better than ever. Some people go years before they figure it out, but thanks to Jen, my suffering was cut short. 

All in all, I lost about 30 pounds while seeing Jennifer, and gained what I call a "food conscience." It's like a mini Jen in my ear, cheerleading me on and letting me know I can make the right decisions. Signing on with Jennifer is not like working with a traditional nutritionist. She really takes the time to help you help yourself, instead of creating meal plans and using a tape measure and in that way doing the work for you. Jennifer really is a counselor, and I promise your time with her will be quite enlightening and incredibly beneficial."

-Alison Stauver, Brooklyn, NY 

"On a warm day in early summer I found myself going through my old shorts trying to find a pair to wear, but no luck. Nothing fit. At 207 lbs. and with high cholesterol, borderline high blood pressure, and a general feeling of low energy--a long way from the 170 lbs. I was in my 20s--I decided it was time to do something. I met with Jen, not knowing if this was the answer, and also thinking I knew quite a bit about nutrition myself (I just wasn't practicing!). We met about twice a month for 12 sessions, and I got amazing results. I had my yearly physical about a month ago. My doctor was thrilled: My cholesterol was way down, blood pressure improved, and I was 29 lbs. lighter. I've been maintaining my weight at about 178 lbs. for the last few months. I feel so much better in every way. I have energy, a much-improved mood, and best of all, I feel so much better about myself. Working with Jen put me back on track. I learned so much about food and how it affects your body and mind, how great moderate exercise can be, and how painless doing all this actually was with Jen's direction and knowledge. I highly recommend her."

-Phillip Schneider, Brooklyn, NY

"My family found participating in Jen's customized 6-month program a really positive and rewarding experience. I had thought I would be the only one to benefit, but just seeing my 8-year-old son now thinking about the choices he makes when we go to the supermarket or when we eat out shows me just how much of a difference Jen has made in all our lives. Having such a knowledgeable, supportive, caring, and helpful nutrition counselor definitely made it easier for us to implement the necessary changes in our eating habits and other areas. Thank you, Jen, for opening up an entirely new world for us, and for helping me to reduce my stress level."

-Grace W., Brooklyn, NY

"Working with Jen for 6 months was a terrific experience. I had a huge change in my life(style) just prior to meeting her, and I was looking for someone or something to get me back on track. Once we started talking, she truly helped get not just my diet and food habits in check, but pretty much my day-to-day life as well. I've taken away some great long-term solutions to my food shopping, cooking, eating, sleeping, and exercise routines. I just feel overwhelmingly better all around compared to 6 months ago, and I really have Jen to thank for it."

-Joe Zweilich, Northport, NY

"I've always considered myself to be a pretty health-conscious person, but in my six months working with Jen, I realized I had a lot to learn. I had been recovered from an eating disorder for a couple years, but she helped me unravel some emotions that remained tied to eating and food. She also helped me to identify a food intolerance that was causing me digestive issues, bloating, and joint pain. The most important thing she taught me is that every body is different--we each have to figure out what makes us feel best."

-Liz J., New York, NY

"I originally signed up with Jennifer because my gastroenterologist said he couldn't help me after several tests revealed that all the pain, discomfort, and general GI distress I had been experiencing for what seemed like forever 'must just be IBS.' The anti-diagnosis was frustrating, and I knew there must be a way to control my symptoms, so I sought out a program that would address nutritional issues as well as my own issues around food. All my life, it seems that I have been struggling in one way or another with a sensitive stomach and/or my weight, and I had had enough.

I decided on the 6-month program with my fiancé, and not only was it a really good experience for me personally, but it did a lot for my fiancé and, I think, for our relationship. It was incredibly helpful to me to have him sitting there while I discussed my food issues and strategies with Jennifer, and for me to hear about what would be helpful to him in terms of getting healthier. After years of feeling like I needed to deal with my stomach issues alone, I suddenly had 2 people who were supporting me, and it was great, and I believe that it brought us closer together as a couple.

Jennifer helped me to determine what does and does not make me feel good every day, which was a major goal for me, and the results were pretty surprising. I also learned to become a 'natural' eater, which was something that had seemed completely beyond me, pretty much my entire life. After helping me to find foods I can eat comfortably, Jennifer introduced me to techniques for eating which led me to slowly learn how to sense when I am full. This was something I had never understood before, and was jealous of other people for knowing. It is such a relief to know that I am now truly in control of myself at meal times, and that this is something I will be able to rely on for the rest of my life."

-Giuliana, Brooklyn, NY

"I truly enjoyed going through Jen's program. I ultimately lost 20 pounds and gained energy and lightness. Most important for me, though, was examining my relationship with food. It was illuminating discussing with Jen how certain foods made me feel physically and emotionally. I loved having the mental exercises and Jen’s advice and suggestions for the various ways I could take care of myself. Thinking through the impact of stress and how it affected me physically and mentally was a critical part of the program for me, and allowed me to get to the next step of eating for sustenance and not to make me feel better emotionally. Finally, I loved receiving her care packages--each one contained a fun new discovery."

-Laurie, Brooklyn, NY

"I decided to see Jennifer because after suffering from chronic fatigue for over a year, I had had enough. After my free consultation with her, she convinced me to sign on to her program and stated that she would encourage me through the next six months, and through diet and exercise, we'd be able to figure out the problem together. We did just that. She encouraged me to do her detox program, and I immediately saw progress in my state of mind and energy levels. As I re-introduced my body to certain foods again, I realized that I had gluten sensitivity. Throughout the six months, Jennifer helped me to push through my mental obstacles and realize that diet and exercise do play a large role in internal happiness. I can now function on a daily basis off seven hours of sleep as opposed to sixteen hours, which is what I used to need in order to get the day going. I am addicted to exercise now and do it at least six times a week. I have discovered that I can have small amounts of gluten and still be okay, but I now know my limits and have learned how to read my body and the signals it gives when it needs certain foods."

-Farrah Unger, Brooklyn, NY

"The reason I began to consult Jen was because I had gotten to the place in life where I wanted to not only lose weight, but make some permanent lifestyle changes so that I could stop the gaining and losing  cycles I had always been on. I am also increasingly aware of the physical effects of an overweight body, such as high blood pressure and diabetes. I don't want to have to begin taking one pill after another.

I had met her personally, and what impressed me was that she seemed 'real' in that she really 'walked the walk.' Through our conversations, I was able to become more and more conscious of what was motivating poor eating habits. Also, the variety of little tips helped me to see how what I eat does affect not only how I feel, but also what I am craving. But I worried that in the short time we spent, her advice and consul wouldn't 'stick.'

I had a lot of 'aha' moments, but the biggest one was when I just nonchalantly commented that I had given up counting calories--for the first time in my LIFE! Then I realized that the reason I had given up counting was because I was confident that if I were eating properly, and conscious of how I was feeling (full or stuffed or just right), I didn’t need that external enforcement. This was huge.

We reach maturity when we can internalize morals and right behaviors. It was through our conversations that Jennifer helped me to finally grow up not only in eating habits but also in self-confidence and worth."

-Nancy Malloy, Lake Geneva, WI

"We saw Jennifer with our seven-year-old daughter. Jennifer was wonderful with her, making her feel comfortable and engaging her immediately. Over our time together, our daughter learned about the importance of whole foods, greens, grains, mindful eating and eating as part of a healthy lifestyle. She enjoyed the time together and was anxious to implement what she had learned immediately upon leaving each session. She also loved the weekly gifts Jennifer would surprise her with. The whole family has made positive changes coming out of the time with Jennifer: we no longer rely on processed foods for convenience, we are cooking more and eating more together at the table as a family, and we make daily use of the techniques for healthier eating and living that Jennifer shared with us. While we thought our daughter would resist making changes, she has in fact embraced them and feels wonderful about the direction in which she is headed with eating and health. We are delighted that in place of breakfast cereal, mac & cheese, and veggie nuggets, our daughter now asks for oatmeal, brown rice, and roast chicken!"

-R.L., Brooklyn, NY

"After interviewing various nutritionists, I decided on Jennifer because she is easy-going and really listens to her client's needs. I learned a tremendous amount of information by working with her not only about nutrition, but about myself and my own habits. She really highlighted the mind/body connection which brought things full circle for me. Since working with Jen, I eat healthier foods and more mindfully. Together, we uncovered a food-related intolerance that years of doctors' visits could not detect. Finally, I always felt refreshed and energized after a session with her and ready to incorporate all the new things I'd learned. I highly recommend Jen as a nutritionist if you're seeking weight loss in a healthy, holistic manner. Your body (and mind) will thank you for it." 

-Maya Tsekenis, Brooklyn, NY

"I learned quite a lot from Jen during my time with her. Together we looked at several poor habits and she supported me in altering them in a way that didn't make me feel judged or "bad." She is a tremendous cheerleader and draws from many traditions in discovering what was the best fit for me. I looked forward to the gifts each session, which helped me to physically carry some of our new ideas into my life away from her table. The holistic approach allowed me to take into consideration what was beyond the food when it came to my eating habits. Several of the ideas we discussed have become a mainstay of my daily diet and daily life."

-J.L., Brooklyn, NY

"Jennifer is a holistic nutrition counselor with her feet firmly planted in reality. If you've dealt with anyone in the alternative health care industry, you know what I mean! She's down-to-earth, knowledgeable, and tailors the program to your needs. I had several lightbulb moments while working with Jennifer--especially that the food you eat does truly affect how you feel. Growing up in a very Italian family, my meals consisted of carbs and sauce. I have started eating green vegetables daily and know how to cook them so my boyfriend even eats them! Thanks so much, Jennifer, for your support, kindness, and for allowing me the chance to learn that what we eat, as well as how we treat ourselves emotionally, mentally, and spiritually, can have a positive, powerful, and sustainable effect on our lives."

-Elfe Cimicata, Philadelphia, PA

"Working with Jennifer reaffirmed my commitment to healthy living. While I knew the basics regarding healthy eating, Jennifer provided so many helpful resources and suggestions to tweak my daily habits. She emphasized always being mindful and provided a unique view of healthy living that did not require counting calories or deprivation. In addition to losing weight, I also have learned to incorporate exercise into my daily routine and have expanded my repertoire of gluten-free recipes. I enthusiastically recommend Jennifer."

-Eve H., Brooklyn, NY

"When I first came to Jen I had a lot of ideas about what healthy meant but wasn't putting them into practice very well. She had a great approach--first adding things in, then increasing joy in small ways, thinking about creativity, balance, energy, and its connection to food. She helped me slow down, become more mindful when eating, become more thoughtful with my time and find ways to better balance it all. She helps to figure out what is best for you. Jen also worked with my husband and helped him to figure out his food allergies and how to manage them. Jen has an easy way of being; she is very nurturing and quick to laugh. She has helped my family become happier and healthier in a gentle way and with a generous spirit."

-K. D., Brooklyn, NY

"I was totally impressed by Jennifer's passion for helping her clients to achieve their goals, and appreciated her depth of knowledge and obvious preparation for our sessions. Thanks to Jennifer I've discovered healthy food options that I actually like. Now my energy level has improved tremendously, I'm continuing to lose weight, I'm excited about working out, and I even look forward to eating my veggies."

-N. Cummings, Brooklyn, NY

"My thought in starting with Jen was that no one ever reaches peak performance in anything without a coach. This is true in sports, music, business ... so why not health? Paying Jen to coach me on eating and living healthy in general accomplished just that. Instead of years of broken promises to myself, I made good changes that stuck. Measurable, too ... 180 to 160 lbs. in six months."

-Dan Hoffman, Brooklyn, NY

"Working with Jennifer was a wonderful experience. She is caring about her clients. With her nutritional guidance, I have lost weight, my acid reflux problem has been greatly reduced, and I make healthier food choices when I shop at the supermarket. What I like most about Jennifer is that she shows an interest in every little thing you tell her. She takes time to listen to what you have to say and gives great advice. I highly recommend her."

-Janet Calcaterra, Queens, NY

"Jen opened my eyes to a vast range of healthy eating possibilities. I expected a rigid and controlling program, since that was the only experience I had had with diets in the past, but Jen's approach was never didactic. She made healthy eating seem like a process, not a set of rigid rules. Addressing many different facets of my food issues, she was still supportive even when I went off track, and the 6-month time span of her program allowed different problems to come up over the months. Her suggestions affected not just my own eating habits, but the eating habits of those around me, who often agreed with the changes she recommended. Jen has started me on a path toward radically changing the way I eat and the way I feel."

-Anna B., Brooklyn, NY

"I love putting on my dress slacks and skirts in the morning and having the leftover waist band. I need to move down to a smaller size. There was no dieting involved with Jen--I lost 7 lbs. without even trying! I am no longer bingeing on candy and sweets. For some reason I don't have the desire. I used to be thinking of my next meal/snack all the time, however, my cravings have been curbed and food is in a better place in my list of priorities now."

-Charlee Miller, New York, NY

"Jen's program brought me to a level of being proactive vs. reactive about my health. Before Jen's program, hunger was annoying to me--it was something that interrupted my life and got in the way of what I needed to get done each day. Now I look at hunger as another opportunity to nourish my body. I couldn't have gotten to that point without Jen giving me the tools I needed to make informed decisions about my eating habits. The knowledge she gave me changed my behavior, and the behavior changes resulted in many gains in my overall wellness. I feel better, take care of myself better, and have lost weight too!"

-Kristin Greenslit, New York, NY

"Jennifer helped me pay attention to what, when, and how I was eating, and notice the effects food had on how I felt throughout each day. I feel educated about the way my body responds to particular foods and how to make smarter choices in terms of health and energy. The best part about the way Jen works with you is how the little changes become permanent without you noticing or struggling. It felt easy and like this will stick with me for life."

-Rebecca DuMoulin, Los Angeles, CA

"I signed up to participate in Jennifer's weeklong detox program, hoping that it would help me to lose a few pounds, reset my eating habits, and identify any hidden food sensitivities. My fears of being hungry and losing energy were unfounded--I felt sated and had enough energy to keep up with my busy schedule thanks to Jennifer's support. I lost 5 pounds over the course of the detox week and my adult acne cleared up, and I lost 4 more pounds in the weeks after the detox. My plan is to keep the weight off and my skin clear by following the healthy holistic diet and lifestyle that Jennifer promotes."

-Lena Pietri, Plainville, CT

"I thought the detox week was going to be a daunting task, but soon found out it was unbelievably easy to follow. I never felt hungry, tired, or deprived of food. The detox provided me with the direction I needed to maintain healthy eating habits. Within days I began losing weight, having more energy, my sense of taste and smell improved, and others noticed the glow of my complexion and shine in my hair! After 7 days, I lost a total of 6 lbs. After speaking with Jen (who was so helpful with questions and guidance throughout the detox), I have decided to continue the detox for another week ... maybe longer. This experience was definitely a life-changing event with awesome benefits. Thanks Jen!"

-Anita Bergoderi, Oakville, CT

"As a result of working with Jennifer, I am much more conscious of my behavior and the choices I am making; I now have 'tools' to use to work toward lasting behavioral change. I am making better food choices, and I'm now much better at coping with emotional ups and downs. In addition to the technical advice and the excellent materials Jennifer provided, she was particularly good at summarizing a complex set of issues related to emotions, eating, and health and then providing actionable ways of characterizing the problem and the solution. I really appreciated her listening carefully to all dimensions of the issues I raised."

-Pat R., New York, NY

"While working with Jen, I was able to consider how different aspects of my life--work, family, relationships--were affecting my health and my eating habits. In addition to being a great listener, Jen was able to provide lots of concrete tips and strategies for making positive changes in my life. After working with Jen, I feel much more empowered to make healthier decisions and to take control of my health and nutrition."

-Hannah Kane, Brooklyn, NY

"Jen's informed guidance and helpful suggestions have allowed me to make small changes to my daily life. The holistic approach ensures that my goals actually make sense for my own lifestyle, as opposed to so many diets or exercise routines that aren't organic, and are therefore impossible to maintain. Jen tackles counseling and questions without judgment or nagging--also a relief! With so much contradictory information out there, particularly about food, Jen distills it all, and provides constructive advice."

-Kate A., Los Angeles, CA

"Jennifer helped me kick my sugar and caffeine habits, opened my eyes to new veggies and grains, and made insightful connections between nutrition and everything else in my life. I was amazed by the depth and breadth of her knowledge. Our sessions never failed to be informative, interesting, and fun."

-Barbara Spindel, Brooklyn, NY

"Jennifer has been very supportive and has done a wonderful job keying in on my specific needs and wants. I feel that I received a program tailor-made for me and that she didn't try to cram me into a fixed program. I am sleeping better and have more energy. I am cooking more and having a blast trying new things. Eating healthy foods is a lot easier and tastier than I ever imagined!"

-Karen Baleshiski, Southington, CT

"My experience with Jennifer was the best thing I've done in a long time. She got me to think about everything I eat, to read ingredients, and change the way I thought about food. I no longer consume or buy anything that contains artificial sweeteners or ingredients. I eat more organic and natural foods, and my husband and I enjoy finding new and healthy recipes to try. Jennifer is very professional and easy to talk to, never judgmental, and always encouraging."

-Joan Bailin, Wellington, FL

"Fabulous program! The results of Jennifer's program had a very positive impact on my daily diet. She introduced me to new and exciting information about the foods I eat and taught me how to bring more calm into each day. I loved our bi-monthly one-hour talks, which were very motivational. You're the best, Jen!"

-Tamara Schneider, La Quinta, CA

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"I learned quite a lot from Jen during my time with her. Together we looked at 

several poor habits and she supported me in altering them in a way that didn't 

make me feel judged or "bad." She is a tremendous cheerleader and draws from 

many traditions in discovering what was the best fit for me. I looked forward to 

the gifts each session, which helped me to physically carry some of our new ideas into my life away from her table. The holistic approach allowed me to take into consideration what was beyond the food when it came to my eating habits. Several of the ideas we discussed have become a mainstay of my daily diet and daily life." 

-J.L, Brooklyn, NY