12. Applying Integrative & Functional Nutrition to Diverse Communities with Jessica Swift

July 11, 2023

In today’s episode, I have the privilege of interviewing Jessica Swift, also known as Chef Jess. Jessica is not your ordinary nutrition expert. She is a registered dietitian, Integrative and Functional Nutrition Certified Practitioner, and a classically trained chef. With over 15 years of experience, Jess brings a unique and energetic approach to nutrition education. What sets Jess apart is her ability to combine the art of cooking and the science of nutrition. In a world filled with conflicting information about what to eat and what not to eat, Jess cuts through the noise and provides practical guidance backed by her extensive knowledge and expertise. Whether you’re a nutrition enthusiast, a health professional, or simply someone curious about the intersection of food and wellness, this episode promises to be an enlightening and inspiring conversation. Get ready to learn, be inspired, and gain valuable insights as we dive into the world of Chef Jess and her unique approach to nutrition education.

Cultural Competency:

Why it’s important for behavior change
How practitioners can practice cultural sensitivity when making culinary nutrition recommendations to clients.

Integrative and Functional Nutrition:

What it is and how to apply the principles to community education
How it can add value to your practice
How to translate the principles in a way that is “digestible” to your community
The importance of culinary nutrition in operationalizing principles
Resources for practitioners to improve knowledge, including IFNA [Integrative and Functional Nutrition Academy]

Episode Timestamps:

[02:32] Meet Chef Jess. [04:21] What are some tips from a chef’s point of view in terms of the kind of food preparation that we can implement in our practices to be more culturally sensitive? [07:14] What does Jess do to make nutrition easy for her clients? [10:22] Jess’ mission on cultural sensitivity to integrative and functional nutrition [13:34] What does that counseling session look like with Jess? [15:09] How can we improve awareness in communities that might not be aware of integrative nutrition? [17:31] What are some ways that you can expose my community to integrative and functional nutrition principles? [21:42] An example of how to get this type of nutritional information to different communities. [25:29] An experience Jeanne had with Jess at a Greek restaurant. [27:02] Is it better to just introduce integrative and functional nutrition or show just the benefits of it? [32:07] What would Jess’ advice be to practitioners who want to start practicing integrative and functional nutrition? [36:53] Closing thoughts and final advice from Jess.

Your Content Cure for This Week

For this episode, we’ve put together Your Ultimate Guide to Integrative and Functional Nutrition Principles, designed to help you understand and apply the basic principles to practice.

>CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD YOUR GUIDE<<

About Jessica Swift

Jessica Swift, MS, RD is popularly known as “Chef Jess,” a classically trained chef, registered dietitian, and founding owner of a corporate wellness and meal delivery company, Chef Jess. She earned her culinary degree at Johnson & Wales University followed by a BS in Dietetics from Michigan State University and an MSc in Nutritional Sciences from Howard University. She has partnered with Kaiser Permanente, Nutricia, Ocean Spray, Beachbody, and other brands to create and present nutrition content that promotes healthy eating for people of all ages; developed nutrition implementation for government programs; and has been named a Unilever Agent of Change for her innovation in creating a healthier, more sustainable future. Chef Jess is regularly featured on television, print, and radio media outlets as an expert in her field, including US News & World Report, REDBOOK, ELLE, Essence, O Magazine, Sirius XM’s Doctor Radio, NBC’s Today Show and the Food Network. She teaches corporate wellness classes, creates demonstrations and other nutritional education opportunities, and has developed Chef Jess into a leading meal delivery service in the Washington, DC region.