Question 1

Who can benefit from nutrition counselling?

Accepted Answer

Nutrition counselling is suitable for children, adults, and families who want to improve their eating habits, manage health conditions, or build a healthier relationship with food. I commonly work with clients who have concerns related to picky eating, weight management, digestive health, chronic conditions, and overall wellness.

As a Registered Dietitian, I provide evidence-based nutrition guidance tailored to your individual nutritional needs, cultural background, and health goals. Through professional assessment, I help clients reduce long-term risks of chronic disease, address potential nutrient deficiencies, and support optimal health and well-being.

How Nutrition Counselling Can Help You
1. You will eat healthier
We begin with a comprehensive nutrition assessment to evaluate your current eating patterns and identify potential nutrient deficiencies. Healthy eating plays a key role in supporting long-term health and reducing the risk of chronic diseases. Meal planning is typically introduced during follow-up sessions. You will receive personalized nutrition recommendations that are practical, realistic, and sustainable for your lifestyle.

2. You will make confident and informed food choices
You will gain a better understanding of how food works in your body through personalized nutrition education. I will guide you on how to read food labels, identify key nutrition information during grocery shopping, and plan balanced meals. Over time, you will feel more confident making food choices that are both enjoyable and nutritionally adequate.

3. You will receive professional support
You do not have to navigate your health journey alone. I provide ongoing professional support to help you work through barriers and stay motivated toward your health goals. Together, we can develop creative ideas for healthy, delicious meals and monitor your progress through long-term, supportive follow-ups.

Question 2

How many visits do I need?

Accepted Answer

It depends on your goals and what you’re working on. To start, most people benefit from 6–15 sessions. The length and format of support may be adjusted, and additional sessions or ongoing nutrition support can be helpful for more complex concerns such as emotional eating, eating disorders, IBS/FODMAP protocol implementation, diabetes management, and more.

A good place to begin is an initial appointment, followed by regular follow-up sessions every 1–2 weeks.

Question 3

Are dietitian services covered through extended health benefits?

Accepted Answer

Dietitian's services are covered by many extended health plans. However, we don't guarantee reimbursement. Please check your insurance policy for your own coverage details. 
Here are some insurance providers may cover dietitian services:
 • Pacific Blue Cross
 • Sun Life Financial 
 • Manual Financial
 • Canada Life
 • Great West Life
 • Green Shield Canada
 • Chambers of Commerce Group
 • Clarica
 • Liberty Health
 • Desjardins Insurance 
 • D.A. Townley
 • GMS
 • London Life
 • IA Financial Group (Industrial Alliance)
 • Johnson Group   
 • Others
If you don't have coverage for dietitian services, you can include the invoice with your medical expenses for income tax return purposes. In British Columbia, Registered Dietitians are classified as an “Authorized Medical Practitioner”.​

Question 4

What is the difference between dietitian and nutritionist?

Accepted Answer

A Registered Dietitian (RD) is a legally protected title across Canada. A Nutritionist in BC is not the same as a Registered Dietitian. The title of "Nutritionists" is not governed by a regulatory body in BC. Anyone in BC can use the title of "nutritionist".
Dietitians are certified health professionals and graduated from accredited university program with finishing internships (usually in hospital settings). Dietitians in BC are held accountable for the BC College of Dietitians and adhere to high ethics and practice standards.

Question 5

What if I want to cancel or reschedule an appointment?

Accepted Answer

When you book your appointment, we reserve a space for you on our calendar that is no longer available to other clients. Please contact us by email or phone as soon as you know you will not be able to attend your appointment. Your advanced notice will allow another client access to that appointment time.

We understand unexpected things may come up. If cancellation is necessary, we require that you let us know at least 48 hours in advance. If appointments are rescheduled or cancelled within 48 hours, there is a cancellation fee of the full service ($150 for initial appointment, $120 for follow up).

Question 6

What payment method do you accept?

Accepted Answer

E-transfer and credit card. Please note there is extra 3% credit card transaction fees will be applied if you decide to pay by credit card.

Question 7

How the receipts are provided for these package services?

Accepted Answer

Once the package price ($500 or $750, $990 or $1500) is paid, you will receive an email confirmation about the prepayment. 
 
Receipt will be emailed to you after each appointment reflecting the session date. Please note you will not receive a receipt showing the lump sum amount of the package price. You will receive a receipt after each session until you receive the full amount of package price you paid. Starting from the initial appointment, you will have 3 month to complete the package services. 
 
For example, for the $500 nutrition package, you will receive a receipt individually after each session:
1. Initial appointment priced at $150
2. Three follow up appointments. The 2nd and 3rd session is $120 receipt. The final session will be at a reduced fee for $110. 
3. Two days meal plans (complimentary).
$500 in total.

Question 8

When is the payment due?

Accepted Answer

1. Payment for the consultation is due within one hour of its completion.
2. The credit card on file will be automatically charged for the service fees if the payment is not made within 24 hours.

Question 9

Why is a credit card required for booking?

Accepted Answer

Your credit card is kept on file in order to secure your appointment. You have an option to pay by either e-transfer or credit card after the session.

Payment Deadline: Payment is due within 1 hour after the session. If the payment is not received within 1 day (24 hours) after the session, the credit card on file will be charged automatically.

Late cancellation fee: 
If there is any late cancellation (cancellation or rescheduling within 48 hours), your credit card will be charged for the late cancellation fee.

Question 10

Menu auditing for assisted care home or meal planning for organizations

Accepted Answer

We provide menu auditing for assisted care home/independent living. We offer a flat fee of $2000 for menu auditing (4 -5 weeks menu). Please note extra charges may be applied if additional support or onsite visit is needed.

If your school, organization, summer camp need menu planning. We charge a flat fee of $2000 for a 2-week menu development. Please note extra charges may be applied if additional support or onsite visit is needed.

Question 11

What if I am a vegan/vegetarian/have food allergies, food restrictions or have celiac diseases？

Accepted Answer

Absolutely not a problem. Elaine has lots of experience working with people who are vegan/vegetarian or people with food allergies, food restrictions, celiac diseases (gluten free diet). We create meal plans based on your diet, culture and food preferences.

Question 12

How many nutrition appointments do I need for emotional eating/ stress eating/ binge eating / eating disorder?

Accepted Answer

Most clients benefit from ongoing nutrition support (12 sessions or more), with sessions typically scheduled weekly. This allows enough time to build awareness, develop practical skills, and create lasting change.

Nutrition care is structured into four stages, though pacing may vary based on individual needs.
Stage 1: Preparatory Work (First 3 Sessions)
These initial sessions focus on understanding you, not just your food choices. 
We explore:
 • Your current eating patterns and nutrition intake
 • Dieting history and food rules
 • Emotional eating or binge triggers
 • Coping mechanisms and stress responses
This stage lays the foundation for sustainable change by increasing awareness and reducing shame around eating behaviors.

Stage 2: Meal Planning (Next 3 Sessions)
Once patterns are clearer, sessions focus on creating supportive and realistic meal plans.
This stage includes:
 • Establishing regular, nourishing eating patterns
 • Reducing restriction that can drive overeating or binges
 • Adapting plans to your lifestyle, culture, and preferences
Meal planning is flexible and collaborative—never rigid or punitive.

Stage 3: Food Therapy & Skill Building (Next 3 Sessions)
These sessions focus on changing your relationship with food.
Depending on your needs, we may use techniques from:
 • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)–informed nutrition care
 • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills
 • Mindful and intuitive eating approaches
 • Urge management and emotional regulation strategies
The goal is to help you respond to emotions without relying on food as your only coping tool.

Stage 4: Monitoring & Maintenance (Ongoing Sessions)
The final stage focuses on long-term support and relapse prevention.
 • This includes:
 • Refining coping strategies
 • Navigating stress, travel, holidays, or life changes
 • Strengthening confidence and self-trust around food
 • Preventing a return to restrictive or binge patterns

Please note, eating disorder recovery often requires more sessions and ongoing nutrition support. Care is most effective when provided as part of a multidisciplinary healthcare team, which may include therapists, physicians, and other specialists.

FAQ

Dietitian serving BC residents