Meet the Dietitian: Emilee Young

In our second edition of “Meet the Dietitian” we got a chance to sit down with the lovely Emilee Young. She is a fat-positive, anti-diet, HAES dietitian who follows the Intuitive Eating Framework. In this interview we got to talk about where she grew up, how she came into her career as an RD and also what she likes on her pizza! Read on to meet Emilee.

1. What’s your favorite food today? What was your favorite as a kid?

My favorite food of all time is definitely southern food like mac and cheese and I’ve started to make my own homemade bread. I grew up eating southern food so it’s very nostalgic for me.

As a kid my favorite food was definitely pizza, any type!

But right now, my favorite toppings are totally chicken and pineapple for sure.

2. Where are you from? What is your favorite thing about that place?

I am from a town in Virginia called Bedford, it’s right outside of Roanoke, VA (if you know where that is).

I grew up on a farm, so one of the things I loved most about that was that the space there was so open and vast. One thing I really miss since moving to the city is how quiet and the pace of it all.

The animals I had on the farm were mainly cows but we had goats for a short while.

3. How did you become interested in nutrition?

My love for nutrition originally came from an unhealthy place, a place of wanting to change my body.

I wanted to be that person in the room that could give all of the “health” advice. But as I grew older, I realized there had to be more to health than I was taught.

After this realization and shift in perspective I began to practice more self love and started researching HAES, looking more into body acceptance.

My love for nutrition turned to a place of self love and I haven’t looked back. I’ve enjoyed helping my clients get to this place as well.

4. What brings you joy in your daily life?

It’s been a hard year for obvious and not so obvious reasons, like almost a whirlwind for me.

But what brings me joy during this crazy time is finding a moment to slow down, like sipping my coffee on the way to work and snuggling with my dog.

Another thing that really brings me joy is having dinner conversations with my fiance. I make a point to find these little joys and to plan them as a reminder to myself to slow down.

5. Are you a dog person or a cat person?

I have a dog but I also love cats!

I would love to have a cat, I have nothing against them.

6. Tea or Coffee?

I would have to pick coffee with cream and sugar for sure unless it’s sweet tea.

7. Do you have other aspirations outside of being a dietitian?

Traveling!!!

I would love to continue to travel abroad and somehow incorporate my passion for nutrition into that. 

My favorite place that I’ve traveled to is Portugal, that’s where I got engaged! I also love trying the cuisine of the place I’m going, new foods are always a part of the trip.

8. What is the most valuable thing you’ve learned.. In life? And as a dietitian?

In life, I would say I have learned to not take anything for granted.

This year has been hard but has put many things into perspective for me. And as an RD, I’ve learned that I have to trust my gut and my experience. 

There were a lot of times I second guessed myself in the beginning of my career, when I shouldn’t have. I’ve also learned that the learning never ends. That’s one thing I value about my career. My clients teach me so much.

Speaking with Emilee was a pleasure and I hope you got to learn more about her passions and personality in this interview. If you are interested in reading more about her professionally, you can check out her page here. 

Have any questions about recovery or need support in your journey to finding food freedom? Email us at: hello@couragetonourish.com to find out more about what we do.