Meet Caroline Plante | Holistic Nutritionist

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

Hi Caroline, we’d love to start by asking you about lessons learned. Is there a lesson you can share with us?
How important it is to listen to your gut. So many people (myself included) lose touch with their intuition in favor of what they think they should be doing. From a personal career perspective, I strayed from my roots as a chef and let the world convince me that food and nutrition was not a worthwhile endeavor. After venturing into human rights, international development, and sustainability, I realized everything I was doing was still tied back to my passion for food and nutrition. Once I followed the gravitational pull back to what I truly loved, I found a fulfilling career as a nutrition therapist.

In my nutrition work, a similar trend is evident. The nutrition and wellness landscape is flooded with opinions, products, and diets promising that they know best. Many people I work with grew up in an environment that encouraged them to ignore their gut instincts. Diet culture instills the idea that our bodies are a problem that needs to be fixed, hunger is to be ignored, and certain foods are good or bad. Cycles of shame and willpower are made to seem normal. A major part of my role is helping people reconnect with their intuition and listen to their bodies after years of self-denial. It is a joy to see people come back to themselves.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My experience in culinary arts helps me bring a unique perspective to my nutrition practice. As much as I think about macronutrients, vitamins, and minerals, food also plays a role in the health of our community, creativity, and traditions. I work hard to make sure nobody has to sacrifice their enjoyment of food to reach their health goals.

There is a lot of “noise” around nutrition, and you have to be diligent about whose research and advice you listen to. Sure, it is easier to make a profit by selling promises of specific outcomes or 8-week bootcamps that put everyone through the same program. However, it takes time to dive deep and build sustainable changes that will last a lifetime. I choose to work one-on-one with clients to provide individualized strategies and education that fit their unique needs. What sets me apart is my understanding of holism – how all aspects of someone’s life such as diet, environment, habits, sleep, relationships, movement, and genetics all play a role in our overall health. It is a complex ball of yarn that is rewarding to unravel.

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.
I am slowly improving my Denver tour-guiding skills. For the outdoors, I would do Roxborough State Park, St. Mary’s Glacier, or a hike up to Continental Falls near Breckenridge. Around Denver, I love walking around Wash Park or putting down a blanket for a picnic. I could spend the whole day around Confluence Park, the REI, and the Denver Aquarium. For brunch it would have to be Snooze, Sam’s No.3, or The Lobby. I love a classic diner too – Moonlight Diner and Rosie’s in Aurora are the best. Other restaurants I love in no particular order: El Five, La Chiva, Barcelona, Katsu Ramen, and Marco’s Pizza. For nightlife, I am a big fan of Disco Pig, Forest Room 5, Viewhouse on summer game nights, or any of the karaoke bars around town.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
It has been a long winding road to get where I am today. I am particularly grateful to my professors and chefs at Syracuse who illuminated all the paths my future could take and made me feel at home in the kitchens. I must also shout out my friends who were kind and trusting enough to be my guinea pig clients, and all the family and friends who indulged my desire to cook for them over the years. Thank you for saying it tasted good, even when it didn’t.

Website: https://www.letsgofig.com

Instagram: @letsgofig