Meet Jenna Santorelli Markl | Culinary Nutritionist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jenna Santorelli Markl and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jenna, do you disagree with some advice that is more or less universally accepted?
In my line of work, the analogy of “calories in = calories out” really grinds my gears. Just typing this response requires calories (aka energy) for the movement of my fingers. Meanwhile, my organs are also depending on calories to digest my earlier meal. When I go to sleep tonight, my body will rely on calories to replenish and repair my worked muscles. Only one of these examples, the typing, can I physically identify and manipulate so that certainly cannot be the only criteria for how calories are utilized by the body.

Many images of “calories in = calories out” as well as the phrase itself, lead you to think you have to DO something to burn the calories, otherwise you will gain weight. It sets a bad precedent in an already confusing subject of the modern human diet, as well as belittling all the necessary internal processes the body carries out for us constantly to exist.

Are we not worthy of taking in nourishment without already planning how to spend the calorie byproduct, just to maintain a sense of vanity?

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?
By the time I was old enough to think critically about my future, I quickly developed the idea of helping others through food. That idea is still what drives me nearly 20 years later, but also leaves a lot of room for how to go about it.

When I was growing up and switched sports, my dietary needs changed and I struggled to find stability for years. My methods were naïve, uninformed, and caused great concern to those around me. I met with a number of professionals over different disciplines to correct the issue, and came away with the idea that I can’t be the only person who suffered like this. One of the people I met with at the time was a nutritionist, who helped me to understand there’s more to food than those three major meals a day. I took that and ran, attending culinary school before then studying nutrition because not only should your diet benefit you, it should taste good!

I began in kitchens of restaurants and resorts, moving around the USA to get a sense of local cuisines and public health initiatives, before settling in Colorado over a decade ago. It’s one of the few states I’ve experienced where its residents seem to care about what goes in their body and enjoy leading active lifestyles. I diversified my clientele by managing kitchens within hospitals and nursing homes, thinking these are the people who need my help most. However at that point, a person is more likely to HAVE to talk to someone like me rather than WANT to, and that makes a huge difference in successful accountability.

Eventually, I sought a better balance in my own life. I wanted to help people, who were as excited or motivated as me, to discover their own personal dietary needs because after everything I’ve learned, there is no ‘one size fits all’ diet. There is no easy, magic answer or fix so it takes time to unlock all the components that can affect a single person’s diet. Now with my own business in Jenna Knows Food, I only put in long hours when it makes sense to, and get to have a direct relationship with those who seek to maximize their foods’ potential. I’m not tied to one idea, one group, one cuisine, one place AND YET there’s still so much to learn in this field that my enthusiasm hasn’t wavered. How lucky am I to get to eat and study donuts for a living?

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If someone were visiting Colorado and the pandemic was of minimal disruption, there would be a number of favorite stops to share! I’d probably start with taking them to Illegal Pete’s because it’s open late and always hits the spot, no matter what time you arrive in town. Great margaritas and burritos the size of a small child to fill you up after travel. The first couple of days I’d take them to see unique places in the metro area while they acclimate to the altitude: Red Rocks Amphitheater, Meow Wolf’s latest Convergence Station before crossing the street to the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame in Mile High Stadium. Local breweries are everywhere so there’s no shortage of libations to try depending on what you’re into it. I’d use that as our excuse to head north eventually, likely on our way to Rocky Mountain National Park because, well, when in Rome… EVERY time I go there, I’ve been forced to stop for wildlife crossing right at the entrance so plenty of natural beauty to see.

Maybe we stop at Rail’s End Brewery in Westminster for yoga on the deck with Wild Souls Collective, loosen up our joints before hiking RMNP. If the weather is nice, we could drive thru the park to Granby for homemade ice cream (and a charming library!) If the weather was colder, we could stop at Decadent Saint in Boulder for their spiced red wine concentrate that tastes like Christmas in a mug. If we’re not ready to call it a day yet and feeling playful, maybe we continue on to Fort Collins where the folks enjoy a slide and swings in their local watering holes.

By now, if we’ve stopped at a couple breweries, then we must be ready to really get in the mountains! Heading west on I70, we’d definitely stop in Vail. If my guest wants to hit the slopes, they can find me at the Vail Four Seasons sipping THE BEST hot chocolate. (No joke- discovered it on a Yahoo’s top 10 list.) It’s not cheap but it is a rich experience so I/we could also walk around to see how the resort’s stuffed bears are dressed for that time of year and take in the Swiss-feeling Vail Village. Next, we’d drive to probably my favorite place in the state: Glenwood Springs. As you approach the town, the mountain structures change in appearance and feel as if you’re underwater. There are so many treasures here: Yampa Vapor Caves, Slope & Hatch (an eclectic burrito scene), Iron Mountain hot springs, Hanging Lake, and no trip is complete without stopping at Sweet Coloradough for treats on the ride back.

Before my guest leaves, I’d suggest doing/seeing something seasonal like the sunflower fest at Anderson Farm, pumpkin picking at Rock Creek Farm, the state fair in Pueblo, Frozen Dead Guy days in Nederland, a hot air balloon festival, or even the Stock Show if that’s of interest. I would also insist that they end with a final hike at Chautauqua in Boulder, offering to pack a light picnic for Artist’s Pointe where you might feel compelled to break into the Lion King’s opening song and hold up snacks in place of Simba! It’s serene and vast, and the Boy Scout trail gives you a little of everything to explore on a fairly easy hike. We could conclude with another of Pete’s burritos or Café Mexicali, reflecting on their trip. Or catch a show to go out with a bang, maybe at the Fox Theater for live music or BDT Stage for dinner and a musical. This way, I’d feel like my guest got to experience many of my favorite parts of living here!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Shoutout to the Evans of the world!

I have been fortunate to have not one, but TWO incredible men named Evan in my life. Each has challenged me to look inward and seek what truly fills my tank, making me my best self. When my goals were too vague- from wanting to cast a wide net, avoid conflict, appease others, or to simply “be happy” these guys found ways to help me understand perspective from a variety of angles as opposed to my limited scope. This allowed me to step into confidence over fear and pursue career moves I may not have been open to otherwise. Suppose it’s also worth giving credit to the many conversations, emotions, and life experiences along the way!

Website: www.jennaknowsfood.com

Image Credits
All photos taken/stored on my personal phone.