by Marie Harger |
Lao Tzu states, “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step,” this epitomizes Trudy Miller’s philosophy on diet, nutrition and creating a healthy lifestyle. Lasting changes to lifestyle do begin with one step and she is there to guide her clients on a slow and steady path toward health.
Trudy was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri. After receiving her BS at the University of Missouri she then completed a Masters in Science at UCLA. She began her journey toward health and wellness in the 1960s where her interests in diet and health began. Involved in food co-ops, reading about health, how to prepare foods, she would gather any information she could get her hands on related to health. After moving to Reno from Long Island, she looked up available classes at TMCC and found the Dietetic Tech program, which was a perfect fit for her.
The Dietetic Tech program was ideal since she already had an extensive background in science with her bachelors and master degrees. Once the program was completed she searched to find her own special niche. She enrolled in an adult weight management program to further her education and focus on the counseling aspect of weight-loss. Her focus became education for health first, then creating change for achieving healthy weight.
Learning about the client is Trudy’s first approach to success. First, a questionnaire is filled out, with medical background, general information about lifestyle (what diets and exercise programs you have tried), and having the client answer important questions such as, “Why am I here?” She then asks for results from screenings, which include blood sugar, lipid profile, and blood pressure. She also records medications and supplements and calculates appropriate weight for the client’s age and height. She also assesses the client’s medical needs, goals, and barriers.
Her next step is to develop an individualized program, based on the latest scientifically based information available. Trudy recommends recording all foods consumed for several days to encourage awareness of what is eaten. Eating real food and cooking meals instead of eating out is crucial. She teaches how to buy, prepare, cook and store food. She also uses spices, herbs, marinades and rubs for taste because no one wants to feast on a bland meal. Planning ahead to prevent a hungry client from eating empty calories is vital to accomplishing his or her goal. Learning to pack a lunch with healthy food and having healthy snacks in the car, are helpful ways to discourage becoming hungry and to avoid eating the wrong kinds of foods and gorging.
Addressing some of the health concerns of today includes scrutinizing the diet and exercise regime of the client. Food combinations such as fat with sugar cause a spike in dopamine, which activates the brain’s pleasure center, creating an addiction and thus leaving the client constantly craving unhealthy foods. Getting most of your vitamins and minerals from a variety of food sources is preferred because the body can extract them efficiently. Exercise is specific to the client and should be enjoyable and fun. Walking and weight training are simple, inexpensive ways to improve fitness.
There are many benefits to Trudy Miller’s services because she provides support as the client adopts a nutritional and exercise program and keeps the client on track to reach his or her goals. She stresses the mind-body benefits from eating well and exercising, such as more energy, the ability to handle stress, better sleep, clarity of mind, a healthy body, heart, and brain. The immune system becomes stronger thus warding off infection and disease.
Trudy realizes most people simply do not know how to make healthy changes to their lifestyle. It is her job to fill in the gaps with education and guidance in a personalized program for each client. She also teaches workshops on topics such as, “Changing your relationship to food,” “Hands-on recipe revival: substituting healthy, tasty ingredients,” and “Turning meal chaos into time-saving structure.” Her main objective is to teach healthy cooking and eating first, so that achieving a healthy weight will come naturally.
For more info, contact Trudy Miller, Food Instructor, MS, DTR, ADA Certified in Weight Management at (775) 787-9010.
