Founder and Registered Dietitian, Desiree Nielsen RD

Hi, I’m Desiree! I’m a registered dietitian and plant-based recipe developer with a focus (mostly!) on plant-based nutrition and gut health. I’m host of The Allsorts Podcast, as well as the author of multiple bestselling and award-winning cookbooks, including my latest, Plant Magic.

I write ALL of the evidence-based nutrition blogs and recipes on this website myself, as well as running a virtual private practice with a focus on digestive and inflammatory disease, perimenopause and menopause nutrition, and plant-based approaches to optimal health.

Want to learn more about my nutrition philosophy and what you’ll find here on the website? Scroll on, my friends!

Me in my happy place: the grocery store…image by Gabriel Cabrera

Interested in virtual one-on-one nutrition sessions? Meet our incredible team of registered dietitians!

New around here? Start here!

What you’ll find on this website: lots of nourishing plant-based recipes that are actually simple to make and so delicious you’ll want to make them often! As a gut health dietitian, I make sure to offer plenty of gluten free and low FODMAP options as well as evidence-based articles on gut health nutrition, plant-based nutrition, and anti-inflammatory nutrition.

If you’re new around here, check out some of my most popular posts:

Learn a Bit More About Me!

  • I believe that food is more than just nutrients: it’s about connection, culture and pleasure. I take a positive, additive approach to nutrition and encourage a weight-neutral, non-diet mindset. That means I think that you can live your healthiest life without restrictions and rigid food rules. It’s more important to focus on what to eat more of, not less of…because health is not a number on the scale.
  • I hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Food, Nutrition and Health (Dietetics) from the University of British Columbia. I completed my dietetic internship at Capital Health Authority in Edmonton (now Alberta Health Services). I’ve come full circle in my work because I am now a UBC Clinical Instructor, helping to train a new generation of dietitians.
  • I’ve been doing gut health since before it was cool: I actually have over 15 years of experience supporting people with IBS, celiac disease, and inflammatory bowel disease…and I have IBS myself.
  • At home, I spend most of my time in the kitchen—usually with the music blaring—with my favourite sous chefs: my two (not so little!) kiddos. Beyond the kitchen, I’m usually outside, whether in my little garden, at the beach or in the mountains.
  • I LOVE writing and creating recipes…and I’m the author of multiple award winning and best-selling books.  Eat More Plants: 100 Anti-inflammatory Plant-centred Recipes for Vibrant Living won Taste Canada Gold in 2020, Good For Your Gut: A Plant-based Digestive Health Guide and Nourishing Recipes for Living Well won Taste Canada Gold and an IACP Award in 2023. Plant Magic: A Celebration of Plant-based Cooking for Everyone is my newest…it came out April 2024!

How to Work With Me

  • As a Spokesperson and Content Creator: My very first job out of internship was as nutrition manager for a chain of natural food stores and I love working with the natural health industry as a spokesperson and content creator for select companies such as Silver Hills Bakery, SPUD, Bio-K+ Probiotics, Canadian Produce Marketing Association, and California Strawberries. Check out what I do on Instagram and TikTok.
  • As a Speaker: At my core, I think of myself as an educator. I consult, write, and speak on a variety of topics ranging from the brain-gut connection to food quality, combating misinformation and eating a more plant-based diet. I do everything from keynote presentations and conference sessions, cooking demos and emcee duties for the natural health industry, public, health professionals, and corporations.

    Past clients include the Diabetes Canada, Canadian Digestive Health Foundation, Dietitians of Canada National Conference, Planted Expos, Canadian Health Food Association Expos, University of British Columbia, Bio-K+ Probiotics, Silver Hills Bakery and Salesforce.
  • As a Media Expert: Desiree is a go-to expert for local and national media; she has appeared on CBC News (Vancouver) and CBC News Now, CTV National News, E-talk, The Social, Good Stuff with Mary Berg, Breakfast Television (Vancouver), Fairchild Television, WGN Chicago, KTLA, CBC Radio outlets across Canada, CJAD Montreal and Sirius XM.

    Desiree has lent her expertise or contributed articles to SELF, Bon Appetit, Chatelaine, Redbook, FLARE, FASHION, Eating Well magazine, Parade Magazine, People Magazine, Mind Body Green, The Globe and Mail, USA Today, Washington Post, Vancouver Sun, The Province and Toronto Star.

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