Today we’d like to introduce you to Jenny Gherau.
Hi Jenny, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
As an unconventional, rice-enthusiast, Integrative Registered Dietitian, Diabetes Educator, and Mindfulness Coach, moving to Dallas from the suburbs of Minnesota was not only a big temperature change but also a diverse range of ethnic supermarkets and farmers markets.
Ever since I was young, I have always been independently imaginative, curious, and carefree. I questioned following norms, such as religion and gender roles. Growing up in a traditional first-generation West Indian family was a unique experience. I have a deep love for culture, food, music, and family. I know everyone says this, but my mom really is the greatest chef! Watching her cook inspired me to learn more about food from a scientific and artistic perspective. The center island in our kitchen was the social gathering space for conversations and fresh, spicy cooked meals. Most of our protein came from the local farms and freshwater lakes, and the produce, spices, and herbs came from my dad’s man cave – the backyard summer garden.
When I was 13 years old, my grades and soccer performance started slipping after I experienced symptoms of fatigue, dry hair and skin, trouble concentrating, mood changes, and weight gain. I soon found out about my new diagnosis of hypothyroidism and high cholesterol. This was not something any teenager wanted to hear or even cared about.
My mental health suffered as well. I had feelings of shame, comparison, social anxiety, and negative body image. This made it more difficult to fight off social and cultural expectations. I started to “wear a mask,” so I didn’t stand out. I had a supportive healthcare team with medication management, but when I was recommended to try unfamiliar foods to treat my symptoms, I was lost. Thankfully my family tried to prepare healthier versions of West Indian cuisine, and over time, my erratic lab values and symptoms improved.
When I saw the positive physical changes in my health and even my family’s health, my interest in nutrition evolved. This changed my perspective toward families adapting to a new environment who might be struggling with nutrition-related hereditary conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, anxiety, depression, etc.
This initiated the path to earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Nutrition. Continuing to make it difficult to fit in, there was limited diversity of the people in my nutrition program, dietetic clinical internship, and places of work as a dietitian. At the same time, my health was not easy to manage. Navigating through it all, I kept some unhealthy relationships and had unhealthy coping methods. Understanding nutrition was still my top priority. I was amazed at what I was learning: the role of specific nutrients in decreasing physical and mental health conditions in the body and especially the brain.
Fortunately, with the help of supportive people, a complete frustration with my health state, and my learned research, it was time for a change. For me to become a new version of myself, I needed to completely remove the mask and allow my carefree light to shine once again. This path to self-discovery started with vulnerability by facing fears. It was not easy to do but I needed to release old identities and people that no longer served my growth. For many years after college, I followed a new journey with what nourished me physically and spiritually, and I found peace in the kitchen, gym, and in nature. Managing my health meant strengthening my ability to help others.
Now, as a dietitian, I help others seek answers deep from within, challenge social norms, and embrace their unique stories without blame, shame, or guilt. Your inner voice knows you best, and it’s strengthened by what you feed it. Let’s nurture it with love from wholesome ingredients, defined boundaries, and peace.
We’ve been impressed with Mind-On Nutrition & Wellness, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
As a licensed and registered dietitian for over a decade, I have worked with a variety of clients, with conditions such as diabetes, insulin resistance, weight-related issues, hypertension, gastrointestinal issues, eating disorders, image distortion, food allergies and sensitivities, anxiety, depression, substance abuse, and more. My clients range from a variety of cultural backgrounds as my interest in culture led me to explore how historical influences shape both food and cultural practices.
The knowledge I’ve gained over the years that I converted into personal action through trial and error has helped me transform in multifaceted ways. To share the values I continue to learn, I designed a program for those who can relate to my story by helping them save time and experience real-time benefits.
In my integrative wellness program, I prioritize creating a non-judgmental safe, space for clients to set goals and learn freely. The program focuses on empowering women to reduce, prevent, manage, and thrive with insulin resistance conditions (prediabetes, diabetes, energy dysregulation, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, etc.) to reduce fatigue and achieve optimal energy levels with simple, wholesome cultural meals. The education combined the science of nutrition and mindfulness-based stress reduction therapy such as boundary work, healthy conversations, and grounding exercises. The education offered is tailored to each person’s specific health conditions, cultural values, and beliefs. Clients will meet in individual and group settings, offered both virtually and in person. Clients are given personalized meal plans, grocery lists, recipes, kitchen and pantry makeovers, tracking guides, cooking classes, grocery store tours, weekly calls, self-paced educational modules, and additional hands-on exercises.
Let’s connect! To find out more about the offered services or to collaborate with me, you can schedule a complimentary appointment here: www.jennygherau.com/book
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Some of my greatest mentors are placed along my path whether they stay for 5 min or 5 years or whether the lesson is positive or negative, people/life can teach you a lot about your needs and desires. When you find people that you admire, ask about their transformative daily habits, favorite books, and podcasts. However, the best mentor is yourself. Listening to your intuition and noticing what is placed in front of you are all signs pointing you to your purpose. You have everything you need within yourself. Sometimes, tuning people out when it is overwhelming can allow you to truly hear what’s within.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.jennygherau.com
- Instagram: jennyg.rd
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/jenny.gherau
Image Credits
@estoriadent
@kayrenlarrimore
