Janine LaForte, RD
Consulting Dietitian
About Janine
"A good meal not only nourishes the body, but brings people together."
I grew up in a big family, with 4 brothers! Yes...it was busy, and loud, and it definitely got crazy sometimes. But there was a lot of adventure, laughter and fun!
Food and family meals were always a priority. Some of my best and earliest memories are from around the dinner table, and not just during special occasions. This was a standard, daily practice in my home.
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My mom was an amazing home cook who was resourceful and always knew how to pull a meal together. We were always well fed, even when money was tight. I learned from her that a good meal, not only nourishes the body, but brings people together. She taught me how to cook from a young age.
When I became a mom, 20 years ago, she was my inspiration in feeding my own family.
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Today, I am a busy mom of 3 amazing teenagers and family meals are now a priority in our home.
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It gives us a chance to reconnect and is a time we all value. Most days this is the only time all five of us are all together. These moments create lasting memories, and are something we all treasure.
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Managing the nutrition programing in 1100 child care facilities for almost 10 years, showed me just how unique every family is. This experience, in addition to having my own family is the foundation for the work I do with Real LIfe Nutrition. It's designed for real people, real kitchen and real life.​​
Real Life Nutrition's mission is to inspire individuals to cook and enjoy more meals at home by simplifying healthy eating because nutrition begins in the kitchen.
It's all about balance & variety
I believe...
✓ healthy eating is all about balance.
✓ all foods can fit.
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Having days when we eat mostly nutrient rich foods, and others when we survive on coffee and take-out, is completely normal. The most important thing we can do is eat a variety of foods and move our bodies in ways that feel good to us. This goes for ourselves and for our children. It's important to look at the big picture.
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Dietitians are not the food police!​
I will not judge what's in your grocery cart or what you order for lunch because there's a good chance I'm eating the same thing...unless you're eating cauliflower rice (that's not for me!) You can bet I have ice cream and chocolate in my house, but I also have a fridge full of veggies and fruit because I love them and know they make my body feel good. I don't believe in food rules. My focus is always on balance. Finding the right balance for you is the key to success!
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Food and Cooking​
I am a passionate home cook. Most days, I choose to cook simple, delicious meals. When I have more time and energy, I love trying new recipes and experimenting with different flavors and ingredients. Right now, I'm into making sourdough bread and experimenting with tofu. Cooking is my creative outlet.
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Teaching my kids to also love food and cooking is very important to me. Childhood is the best time to learn this valuable lifelong skill. Involving children in mealtime tasks, teaches them responsibility and respect, and is one of the BEST ways to help them enjoy new foods.​
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Healthy eating is so much more than the food we eat
HOW you eat matters just as much as WHAT you eat. Being mindful when we eat, enjoying our food, cooking more often and eating meals with others are essential to establishing healthy eating habits. Start with HOW and the WHAT will follow!
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Empowering Moms
Moms are hard-working busy people, and we can be really hard on ourselves. I believe we need to give ourselves more grace, and accept what we are capable of each day. Let's stop comparing ourselves, and end the guilt and shame. We all just want what's best for our families.
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Through REAL LIFE NUTRITION, I am excited to share my passion for cooking, nutrition and family, with you.
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Feeding a family is big job but it doesn't have to difficult. I'd love to help you simplify meal planning and prep and take that heavy weight off your shoulders!
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