About The Dietitian
Hey, I’m Tonya, and I’m so glad you’re here! In my career as a dietitian, I’ve worked in a variety of settings, from grocery stores to schools to hospitals. My clients are often surprised by how “normal” I am! I can’t count the number of times someone has left my office and said, “I thought you were going to tell me to give up all my favorite foods!” You won’t hear that from this girl. Ever.
Good nutrition doesn’t have to be complicated, but it often feels that way. There’s always a new diet or product that promises to be the magic bullet to lose weight, have energy and feel great. But here’s the thing: most of my clients aren’t even mastering the basics of good nutrition before worrying about all the extras. They’re wasting time and money on products and diets that promise amazing results, when they should be focusing on the basics of well-rounded meals with lots of yummy veggies, lean proteins, whole grains and flavor! It’s like the old saying “Don’t major in the minors.”
So why don’t we do well with the basics? Life is busy! It takes time to find recipes the whole family will eat, make the shopping list, get to the store, remember to thaw the meat, and actually get the food cooked and on the table! That’s why I created Meal Squeeze. My mission is to make it as easy as possible for you to get delicious and nutritious meals on your table.
I believe in a balanced approach to eating, so you won’t find any strict diet rules here. What you will find is scrumptious recipes that use simple ingredients you can find almost anywhere (I live in the middle of nowhere in Iowa -- if I can’t buy it here, it’s not on the menu). I strive to create meals that encourage you to eat a variety of different foods, but in a way that won’t scare your family.
On the “Ask the Dietitian” page, I’ll teach you how you can raise healthy eaters (hint: most of us don’t get this right), and how you can improve your own relationship with food. Food is meant to be enjoyed, and I can help you do that.
Beyond the food, I care about the experience of eating. Families sitting down for a meal together is a powerful thing, and I think it’s one way we can change the world for the better. My hope is that the time and energy you save by using Meal Squeeze can be put into quality family time at the dinner table, where you can laugh together, learn more about each other, and connect on a deeper level.
Good nutrition doesn’t have to be complicated, but it often feels that way. There’s always a new diet or product that promises to be the magic bullet to lose weight, have energy and feel great. But here’s the thing: most of my clients aren’t even mastering the basics of good nutrition before worrying about all the extras. They’re wasting time and money on products and diets that promise amazing results, when they should be focusing on the basics of well-rounded meals with lots of yummy veggies, lean proteins, whole grains and flavor! It’s like the old saying “Don’t major in the minors.”
So why don’t we do well with the basics? Life is busy! It takes time to find recipes the whole family will eat, make the shopping list, get to the store, remember to thaw the meat, and actually get the food cooked and on the table! That’s why I created Meal Squeeze. My mission is to make it as easy as possible for you to get delicious and nutritious meals on your table.
I believe in a balanced approach to eating, so you won’t find any strict diet rules here. What you will find is scrumptious recipes that use simple ingredients you can find almost anywhere (I live in the middle of nowhere in Iowa -- if I can’t buy it here, it’s not on the menu). I strive to create meals that encourage you to eat a variety of different foods, but in a way that won’t scare your family.
On the “Ask the Dietitian” page, I’ll teach you how you can raise healthy eaters (hint: most of us don’t get this right), and how you can improve your own relationship with food. Food is meant to be enjoyed, and I can help you do that.
Beyond the food, I care about the experience of eating. Families sitting down for a meal together is a powerful thing, and I think it’s one way we can change the world for the better. My hope is that the time and energy you save by using Meal Squeeze can be put into quality family time at the dinner table, where you can laugh together, learn more about each other, and connect on a deeper level.