About Teri
My Opinion – We’ve lost sight of the common thread that influences everything
Everyone has an opinion about nutrition – you, the girl at the gym, 1 million plus web-sites and blogs (present company included), thousands of book authors - everyone. Every single hour of the day you are exposed to yet another new tidbit or suggestion for how to lose weight, how to have more energy, how to sleep better, how to age better, what new super food to try, what new diet to try, what diet to try again…so much information is great, right? Everyday and every new suggestion presents you with another chance. This part is good. Paralyzing confusion from too much information is not. But once we take a deep breath, we remember that there is a common thread that simplifies the key to health and vitality.
Each symptom we wish would decrease, or increase, is manipulated the same way – by optimizing the function of individual cells. Period. And every cell, whether in the stomach, liver, or heart, is optimized the same way:
- Eliminate substances that damage
- Provide sufficient nutrients to heal
Every new tidbit or suggestion you hear can be distilled back to this formula, and I am here to help you do that.
My Goal – Make it all doable
To regain your health (and optimize the function of all those cells), you are going to have to commit time to meal planning. This doesn’t mean you will have to cook everything, but it does mean you will need to be prepared.
I know time is the most valuable and hardest resource to find, so I am devoted to helping you by:
- Providing information that simplifies all the opinions (and distills them back to our formula to optimize cell function)
- Developing tips, portioned recipes, bulk cooking guides, shopping lists - whatever it takes to make this doable
My History
Below is the timeline of my experiences that have culminated in the development of the nutritional principles I incorporate into Perfectly Produce. My curiosity for nutrition formed during high school while running cross-country and track. I didn’t formalize that interest until after working for several years, but I did had fun playing with various popular diets along the way. I learned valuable ideas from each of them, but it was my graduate and research training that allowed me to evolve and learn how to only apply recommendations that are evidence based and most importantly – sustainable for a lifetime.
- 1984-1990: Ran cross-country and track, fortunately my mom home-cooked meals every night (and made me help!)
- 1990-1991: Graduated, stopped running competitively, nannied, gained 25 pounds (yikes!)
- 1994-1997: Started yoga, became lacto-ovo vegetarian, progressed to vegan, began eating for my dosha (Ayurvedic Indian medicine), triglycerides spiked to 750 even though I was highly active, 5’9″, 135 lbs., gradually reintroduced all proteins (I now know what I could have done while vegetarian and vegan to better manage lipids)
- 1997-1998: Worked as a store manager for Starbuck’s = diet of broken pastries 6 days a week, gained 20 lbs. (again, yikes!)
- 1998-2003: Was in “The Zone” (most of the time), weight fluctuated from 140-150 (frustrating)
- 2003-2005: Integrated the Blood Type Diet with the Zone, Type O so was Paleo and gluten-free, entered graduate school with hope to confirm that this combination was the nutritional Holy Grail (even though I felt anxious and unable to adapt to stress), confirmation not found
- 2005-2008: Evolved to the beautiful simplicity of eating whole foods (all of them), in the right amounts, at the right time, stabilized back to high school weight of 132-135 lbs. (rarely single lb. above or below this)
- 2009: Perfectly Produce was born out the desire to make a whole foods-based, nutrient dense diet doable
My Education
My Professional Affiliations
American Society for Nutrition | Member of Medical Nutrition Council | www.nutrition.org
Active member in following Research Interest Sections:
- Aging and Chronic Disease
- Dietary Bioactive Components
- Energy and Macronutrient Metabolism
- Diet and Cancer
- Nutrient-Gene Interactions
- Nutrition Education
- Nutritional Immunology
- Obesity
- Vitamins and Mineral
American Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (formerly the American Dietetic Assoc.) | www.eatright.org
Active member in following Dietetic Practice Groups:
- Weight Management
- Sports, Cardiovascular, and Wellness Nutrition
- Food and Culinary Professionals
- Nutrition Entrepreneurs
- Minnesota Dietetic Association | www.eatrightmn.org
And that’s me.
I hope to provide an opinion and voice that you find valuable. If not, I’m confident that you will (or have) found the voice that resonates with you – just ensure it is a trusted voice.
Thank you for allowing me to introduce myself, and please feel free to introduce yourself by leaving a comment – there is strength in numbers! ~ Teri
Please tell me if Health Partners covers your fees; if the do not, how much is an initial consultation? Typically, how long does someone work with you?
I need help developing a zone type food plan with some additional dietary needs and find the whole thing overwhelming.
I appreciate your time responding to this.
Lisa Bittner
Hi Lisa-
Thanks for your questions. I do not directly process insurance. You can, however, try to submit a claim for reimbursement. Depending on your benefits you might be eligible for even partial coverage.
An initial consultation with me is a flat rate of $225. We typically spend a full hour together during this consultation (in-person or via phone). I do like to have your first follow-up within 2 weeks of our first meeting. This ensures that any challenges you might be facing with the recommendations can be addressed sooner rather than later. I have found that this significantly increases client success.
Then, follow-up consultations ($75/half hour session) are scheduled depending upon your individual need. Some clients prefer weekly monitoring for accountability, while some start by coming once a month and then eventually just when they have a change to their current lifestyle (training for a competition, pregnancy, etc). It’s really guided by you, your level of comfort, and individual need.
I hope this answers your questions, if not please don’t hesitate to let me know. I’d be happy to work with you if you determine that it’s a fit.
Teri
Teri,
My name is Meggie and I am currently a freshman at Goucher College studying biology. I plan to be home in Minnesota over this summer and am very interested in participating in a summer internship. I have a special interest in nutrition and am looking into ways I can build a resume as well as learn more about the field.
I was curious if you had any internship opportunities available or were at all interested in an assistant. If not, any general advice or direction would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks,
Meggie Tice
Hi Meggie- Yes, I do consider interns. What I recommend is that you forward a resume to support@perfectlyproduce.com with the dates of your availability. As we consider new groups of individuals, we will keep you updated of timing and opportunities. Thanks for your note! I hope to talk with you more later this Spring. ~Teri