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How I work

A safe space, no food rules, weight inclusive, and always at your pace. Here is what working together actually looks like.

Lauren Hofstee, RD · 2026-07

Most nutrition advice arrives as a set of rules. Eat this, not that. Hit these numbers. Start Monday. For anyone whose relationship with food has become painful, that framing is not neutral, it is the same machinery that made things hard in the first place.

I became a dietitian because I believe our relationship with food should feel peaceful, not like a fight you wake up to every morning. So I work differently.

A safe space

A calm, judgment free place to be honest about food, your body, and everything wrapped up in it. Nothing you say here is too small or too much. I meet you exactly where you are, listen to your whole story, and we move forward together, slowly and safely.

No food rules

There are no good foods or bad foods, and no plan you have to white knuckle your way through. We build habits that fit your real, busy life, which is the only kind that lasts. If you are coming out of years of dieting, that often starts with stepping off the cycle rather than finding a better version of it.

Weight inclusive

Care that centres how you feel and function, your energy and your peace of mind, rather than a number on a scale. If that idea is new to you, here is more on what weight inclusive care means.

Gentle, and yours

We move at your pace and rebuild trust with food and your body in a way that actually holds. There is no timeline you are behind on.

What to expect

Simple, and never rushed. It begins with a free 15 minute intro call, a warm, relaxed video chat so we can get to know each other and see if we are the right fit. There is no pressure at all.

From there we take time to understand your history, your habits, and how you feel about food, then build a plan that is genuinely yours. After that, regular sessions that fit your schedule, to support and adjust as things change. Here is what the first full session is like.

Who I work with

Wherever you are with food, you are welcome here. People most often reach out when food feels stressful, constant or all consuming, when they have tried every diet and feel stuck, when they eat in secret or feel guilt and shame afterward, when a health condition needs real nutrition support, or simply when they are ready for change without extremes or punishment.

For several years now, much of my work has been in eating disorder recovery, walking with people through some of the hardest parts of that journey. But you do not need a diagnosis to be here. Some people come wanting to feel steadier and more at ease, and that is reason enough.

The practical details

I am a Registered Dietitian with the College of Dietitians of Ontario, with a Master of Applied Nutrition from the University of Guelph and over four years specializing in eating disorder recovery. All sessions are one to one and virtual, available for booking anywhere in Ontario. Many extended health plans cover dietitian services, and no referral is needed.

Questions

Do I need a diagnosis to work with you?

No. Some people come in the middle of eating disorder recovery, others simply want food to feel calmer. Both are welcome, and you do not have to justify being here.

Will you give me a meal plan?

Only if it would genuinely help you, and never as a set of rules to follow perfectly. For many people, structure helps early on. We decide that together rather than starting from a template.

Do you talk about weight?

My care is weight inclusive, so we centre how you feel and function rather than a number. If weight is on your mind, we can talk about it honestly, without it becoming the goal.

What if I am not sure I am ready?

That is common, and the free intro call exists for exactly that. It is fifteen minutes, there is no pressure to book anything, and it is a reasonable place to find out.

If any of this sounds like you

The first call is free, and there is no pressure to continue. It is just a calm conversation about what you are looking for.

Book a free intro call

See how I can help with emotional eating.