We are so fortunate to have Natalie Greene (a.k.a. “Nutritionist Natalie“) on our team at Lucille Roberts. For three years, she’s been our Director of Nutrition and has helped develop the Live Rite Weight Loss Program. What’s that? Read on to find out!
How long have you been interested in nutrition? What inspired you to specialize in it?
I became interested in nutrition as a child because my grandmother was diabetic and my mother was always struggling to lose weight. This made me want to understand the relationship between the food we eat and our health.
Tell us about the Live Rite program. How does it work? What’s the goal?
The Live Rite Weight Loss Program was designed to teach clients how to eat nutritionally balanced meals and understand portion control while eating a variety of foods. Every client is assigned a specific calorie level based on their metabolism. The goal is to help the client lose weight and to show them how to make this a lifestyle change.
What’s the hardest part about your job?
The hardest part about my job is helping clients who are emotional eaters with a tendency towards depression. Until they change their attitude towards food, it is very difficult for them to lose weight because the same issues will reappear until they are ready to make a change.
What’s your favorite thing about your job?
My favorite thing about my job is getting to see the amazing transformations clients have made through changing their eating habits and adopting a healthier lifestyle.
What are some of the most common diet mistakes you see people make?
The most common diet mistakes people make are not eating enough calories and/or not eating enough carbohydrates for their metabolism. This causes the body to lose healthy muscle tissue, slows their metabolism down and causes their body to become more efficient at fat storage because it thinks it is in starvation mode.
Have you ever struggled with weight or health issues?
Yes, I have definitely struggled with my weight. I have been overweight twice in my life, and both times were related to depression and/or stress. Losing weight is not just about what you eat. Weight strongly correlates with how you feel emotionally, so it is important not just to put yourself on a diet but to really understand your relationship with food.
What’s your favorite healthy meal?
My favorite healthy meal is 1 scoop of the Live Rite protein shake, 1 cup of light vanilla soymilk, ½ banana, and 1 tablespoon of natural peanut butter. It helps keep you full and tastes really good!
What advice would you give to women with busy lives at work and at home who don’t have time to cook each day?
You can still lose weight if you have a busy lifestyle. You have to take the time to plan what you are going to eat. If you are eating out, you need to learn how to make healthy food choices and stick to portion control.
It seems like unhealthy food, like fast food, is so much cheaper than healthy food. Do you have any suggestions for women who want to lose weight on a budget?
Fast food restaurants have really made an effort to include healthy foods like salads and lower calorie wraps on their menus. You can go to their website to see the calories in all of their menu options so you can fit them into your meal plan and save money at the same time.
Do you have any additional “secrets” or tips that you’d like to share?
No one wants to be overweight. Excess body fat is just stored energy that needs to be released. Figure out the reasons why you are overeating and what you are really unhappy about. Then make the appropriate changes in your lifestyle, and the weight will begin to melt off!
Natalie Greene holds a Bachelor of Science in Food Science and Human Nutrition with a specialization in Dietetics from the University of Florida. She is a Registered Dietitian and an active member of the American Dietetic Association.
Got a question for Natalie? You can find her at our Massapequa location, or you can send her an email: Natalie@LucilleRoberts.com
