wellness - Nutrition

Individual counseling and nutritional classes tailored to your needs

For more information about YMCA nutrition, contact:

Kerri Napoleon, RD, CSSD, LD/N
Registered Dietitian
Arlington Family YMCA, Bank of America Tower, Johnson Family YMCA, South Metro Family YMCA, Williams Family YMCA, and Yates Family YMCA
904.355.1436
Email

Jenna Braddock, RD, MSH, CSSD, LD/N
Registered Dietitian
Brooks Family YMCA, St. Augustine Family YMCA, and Winston Family YMCA
904.854.2086
Email

Elise Fenstermaker, RD, LD/N
Registered Dietitian
Flagler Center Family YMCA, Barco-Newton Family YMCA, and Dye Clay Family YMCA
904.370.9622
Email

Becky Delgado, RD, MPH, LD/N
Registered Dietitian
Barco-Newton Family YMCA and Dye Clay Family YMCA
904.278.9622
Email

Andra DeViese, RD, LD/N
Registered Dietitian
McArther Family YMCA and Hilliard Family YMCA
904.261.1080
Email

Individual Counseling

Meet with a registered dietitian for a half-hour or one-hour session to receive personalized calorie, protein, carbohydrates, and fat needs, a suggested meal plan according to those needs, and guidance on implementing healthier eating habits. Registered dietitians are also available for disease specific counseling (i.e. Diabetes, High Cholesterol, High Blood Pressure, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Allergies, etc.).

YMCA Member Rate: Half-Hour – $50.00 / Full-Hour – $75.00
Non-member Rate: Half-Hour – $70.00 / Full-Hour – $95.00

Nutrition & Lifestyle Class

Taught by a registered dietitian, the concentration is on nutrition, but exercise and behavior management is also integrated so participants can develop healthy new lifestyle changes. Participants will receive a recommended calorie and protein level to promote weight loss and two weeks of menus corresponding to their calorie levels. They will learn about carbohydrates, protein and fat, healthy meal planning, eating on the run, eating out at restaurants, and stress and eating.

Metabolism Testing

During this half-hour or one-hour consultation, a MedGem Metabolic Testing Device is used to measure your resting metabolism. A registered dietitian will use the numbers generated by the MedGem to determine your total calorie needs to reach your personal fitness goals. A one-hour consult includes the metabolism test, health status assessment, usual dietary intake, pertinent nutrition education, counseling and a personalized meal plan. A half-hour consult includes the metabolism test and an activity analysis.

YMCA member rate: Half-Hour – $80 / Full-Hour – $130
Non-member rate: Half-Hour – $135 / Full-Hour – $165

Pack a Punch with a Healthy Lunch

August is back to school month, which typically means back to packing lunch for the kids. When stuffing that lunch box full of food, be sure to watch what types of food you’re feeding your precious children. Aim to make the favorite PB&J with whole wheat bread, introduce a veggie such as carrot sticks with some low-fat ranch dressing, and work on including a fruit too! Fun, finger fruits like grapes, mandarin oranges, or chunks of watermelon make a great vitamin-packed snack for your kids. Add a fruit flavored yogurt for a protein and calcium-rich dip to make it tastier to squeeze in five fruits and veggies each day.

Packing a healthy lunch each morning can be a little more time consuming, but the time is well worth it! Cafeteria lunches are often made with processed and refined foods that lack the fiber, vitamins and minerals that homemade, healthy lunches can provide. As you gear up for school again, remember that packing your kids a brown-bag lunch is the way to go!

Katie Murphy, Community Health/Nutrition Intern

Cooking with Whole Grain - Quinoa Pilaf

1 ½ cup quinoa
½ tbsp olive oil
½ cup chopped onion
¹⁄₃ cup diced celery
¼ cup bell pepper
1 tbsp shallots, chopped
1 large garlic clove, minced
1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 dash hot sauce
1 can (14 oz) chicken broth
½ cup water

Place quinoa in a fine sieve, rinse under cold water, drain and set aside.
Heat oil over medium heat. Add onion, celery, bell pepper, shallot and garlic. Sauté 3 minutes; add quinoa, cook 2 minutes stirring constantly.
Add water, Worcestershire, hot sauce and chicken broth. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer, uncovered 15 minutes or until liquid is absorbed.

Yield: 4 cups