We had the good fortune of connecting with Amber Thomas and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Amber, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?
Receiving a cancer diagnosis is life-changing. For some, drastically changing the way they eat feels like the one thing within their control. Often though, eating and food choices bring up a lot of fear, uncertainty, and guilt.

Most commonly, questions and uncertainty look like, “Am I doing this right? Am I fueling my cancer? I have to do this perfectly.”

Through my private practice, Cancer Nutrition Solutions, I help people transform the way they think about food, nutrition, and eating after a cancer diagnosis. Together, we use the principles of Intuitive Eating alongside cancer nutrition therapy to find a mindful and authentic way to nourish the body through any stage of survivorship, including during cancer treatment.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I didn’t start my career as a Registered Dietitian with the goal of starting my own practice. I loved working alongside other providers in the Denver-area hospitals and cancer centers where I worked for nearly 15 years. Along the way, though, something began to change. I stopped believing I had all the answers and perfect diet prescriptions. I began seeing people as more than their diagnosis, and realized how many people struggled with their body image and relationship with food. Many times, long before cancer struck.

A dietitian colleague introduced me to Intuitive Eating and the principles really resonated with me, both personally and professionally. I began including these principles along with cancer nutrition therapy and noticed a difference in how patients began to feel about nourishing themselves during and after cancer treatment. I then realized the hospital system wouldn’t allow me to support patients to the best of my ability. In 2019, I left the cancer center and started my private practice.

I’m excited to offer compassionate nutrition counseling that focuses on life quality and values, and how nourishing ourselves can align with those values. My goal is to help cancer patients and survivors release food fears and find authentic nourishment using the principles of Intuitive Eating and cancer nutrition therapy.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Most of my friends who come from out-of-state want to hang out in nature, which I love! I’m a Colorado native, so I think my perspective on fun, interesting places is perhaps a bit out of touch with what’s cool and trendy right now. We may book a cabin in the 10th Mountain Division huts where we can hike in and have a relaxing time together. Some board games, a great hearty meal cooked in a wood-burning oven, and fellowship with friends sounds so good! We’d probably stop and get some BeauJo’s Pizza on the way home.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My husband, Jeremiah, definitely deserves a lot of credit for my success as a private practice owner. I wouldn’t have a thriving business without his support.

Website: www.cancernutritionsolutions.com

Instagram: @amber.thomas.rdn

Image Credits
Victoria Raphaela Photography

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