I realized after some initial setbacks with my fertility that nutrition held the keys to the kingdom that I was looking for. I became convinced that what I put in my body would ultimately help me achieve conception. I got to reading books on foods for fertility and met with a couple of nutritionists, but ultimately knew that I just wanted to be more educated on the subject. (Maybe the Type A in me?) Cue Keri Glassman and The Nutrition School (TNS). The courses not only solidified my understanding of nutrition, but also gave me a “wholistic” view on health, wellness, and nutrition. Thanks to Keri and TNS, I am now Nutritious Life Certified and accredited by the American Association of Drugless Practitioners.
You may have heard about Keri… she is a nationally recognized celebrity nutritionist, registered dietician, healthy cooking expert, published author, and the founder of Nutritious Life and The Nutrition School. Or you may have seen Keri on TV; she has been tapped as an expert to speak on The Today Show, Good Morning America, The View, The Talk, The Chew, Dr. Oz, and much more.
I was recently fortunate enough to snag some time with Keri to discuss how her life was destined to be a nutritious one. Read on to find out how you too can glean some important tips on leading your most nutritious life!
How do you spend most of your time?
Good question. Every day varies but there are a few things that I do to keep my schedule consistent despite travel and projects. I always take a look at my week and assess what I am doing with my kids, when I am having my family time, and what are the fun and exciting things that we are doing together based on their schedule. I also always try to be home for breakfast unless I have early morning TV (interviews), as well as dinners to spend time with them. Breakfast and dinner together is a huge part of our day.
When you are your own boss and someone is not telling you where to be all day, it can lead to lack of structure and productivity. I am an early riser and am my best in the morning so try to tackle one big project on my list between 5:30am and 7am. That gives me a little bit of time for myself, plus a bit of time to organize and map out the day. I pause, have breakfast with the kids, and when they go to school, I get my workout in. Then I try to block out time to get in computer time (writing my own content, doing research) until around 1pm to harness my most productive hours. I take the time after that to power through media interviews, calls, and meetings. I find that I am better in those situations because I have crossed off things from my list earlier in the day, am clear-headed and focused.
What inspired you to launch Nutritious Life and TNS?
Since I was a little girl, I was interested in nutrition without even realizing it. I played sports and had a natural interest in how the body works and fuels itself. In seventh grade science class, I told my friend that I was craving almonds so my body must need Vitamin E. I probably had no had idea what Vitamin E actually did but I had read it somewhere, and was interested enough to remember that fact.
Fast forward to college, I continued to play sports and eat well. A lot of my friends did not. They drank Diet Coke, didn't eat healthfully, yet I was the one who gained the “Freshmen Fifteen”. As a result, I became interested in how to fuel the body for performance but also how to be lean and fit. After I graduated, I worked with Sports Illustrated and because it was owned by Time Inc., I could get my hands on all the magazines. I remember sitting at my desk and going over every last word in Health Magazine. In fact, I was so interested that I went back to school part-time and took nutrition courses at NYU.
To some extent the rest is history, but when I graduated I started working for an online health and wellness company and was counseling people; first at Equinox, and then privately. At the same time, I was getting my business experience at a small start-up. The start-up pulled me away from hard-core nutrition because it took so much of my time so I decided to take the business skills that I had gained and couple it with my passion for nutrition. Then I went for it.
I quit my job (at the start-up) and opened up my own practice called Body Fuel about fifteen years ago, which has since evolved into Nutritious Life. My practice from day one encompassed the mantra of a nutritious life, and it being more than just food. In fact, my first logo was an icon for stress (a brain) with an arrow going to a drop of water (hydration) to an arrow going to a bed (sleep)!
I created TNS to scale my practice throughout the country. It started with a binder to keep myself accountable and to eventually train others. Then I hired my first dietician, trained her, and then the binder evolved into the program that it is today.
How old were you when you started playing with food?
I talk about this with my mother all the time… My mom still has a recipe box and found all of these cards with recipes that I had written, even though some were make-believe like Lizard Stew!
In the second grade, I made a “cookie dough machine” for a school project. My dad brought cardboard and paper towel rolls for me to make it. I always think of that as my first recipe and foray into entrepreneurship.
What’s the first thing that you remember cooking?
Growing up I cooked with my mother who made so many great recipes! I remember the ritual and experience more so than what we actually made; sitting on the counter in the kitchen and being with mom, and cooking dinner every night. We started every meal with half a grapefruit, and a salad with Ken’s Italian dressing. Every night we had a vegetable, starch, and a protein, followed by dessert. It may not always have been focused on health per se but it was always balanced. We also always sat down as a family.
An ingredient that you can’t live without?
Nuts and nut butter.
One ingredient that you avoid at all costs?
There is almost nothing that I do not like but I can’t stand cilantro.
What do you listen to when you cook?
Everything from what I listened to when I was growing up to what the kids listen to now. From Coldplay, Eminem, U2 to the Bee Gees to Taylor Swift. I was rocking out to Katy Perry the other night and loved it. My daughter took the opportunity to share… “Mom, that song is not good”.
Favorite vegetable?
That is hard… I have to pick one?! Mmm…. Let’s go with spinach.
Favorite fruit?
Blueberries
Last cookbook that you used? What did you cook?
I recently made a great recipe from “It’s All Good” by Gwyneth Paltrow. I made Two-Pan Chicken with Harissa, Preserved Lemons and Green Olives. I love olives. In fact, it inspired me to make poached olives and they were so good.
Do you have any secret talents?
Hand-eye coordination. If you throw something at me, I will catch it. I can also pogo stick for hours. I think I beat a neighborhood record when I was a kid.
If you could have dinner with anyone, who would it be and why?
Oprah. Who wouldn’t want to sit with Oprah all night and pick her brain?
What is the number one piece of advice you would share with those looking to lead a Nutritious Life?
The combination of eating real, whole foods in conjunction with listening to your body, eating when you are slightly hungry, and to stop eating when you are slightly satisfied. You’ll never have to count calories or worry about anything food related if you can master that powerful combo.
Remember it’s not just about the food. It’s also important to pay attention to the other areas like focusing on stress reduction, sleep, and to not forget that they are just as important as exercise and food.
Ready to get started? I put together a sample meal plan below with balanced and healthy recipes designed by Keri. Just click on the recipe links below to get started with leading a Nutritious Life!
Breakfast: Morning Glory Muffins
Snack: Avocado Banana Smoothie
Lunch: Chopped Salad with Tofu & Soy Nuts
Snack: Carrots & (10) Almonds
Dinner: Noodle Free Turkey Lasagna
*Note: Look out for GMO-free soy products. Also, all recipes shared were created by Keri Glassman, Nutritious Life.