Nutrition Counseling For Health and Performance
Lab results that don’t make sense, even though you “eat healthy”?
Complicated relationship with food you’re ready to work on?
Training hard but something’s still off?
Our Registered Dietitian specializes in performance nutrition, metabolic health, eating disorders, and the complicated middle ground most people are actually living in. No meal plans. Just an approach to food that’s sustainable in your real life.
Who the Dietitian Services Are For
You've Gotten Generic Advice That Hasn't Helped
- You've been told to "eat better" without anyone explaining what that actually means for your situation.
- Your labs came back abnormal and your doctor didn't have a real explanation — just standard recommendations.
- You've tried different approaches and nothing has stuck or made a meaningful difference.
Your Performance and Health Feel Off
- You're an athlete who trains hard, but isn't performing, or have health issues that don't make sense.
- You have GI issues, food intolerances, or other symptoms that haven't been thoroughly explored.
- You want someone who can actually read your labs and understand what they mean for you, your training, and your goals.
You Want a Different Relationship to Food
- You have a history of disordered eating or an eating disorder and want care that takes that seriously.
- You've spent years following food rules and you're ready for something more sustainable.
- You're looking for an approach that doesn't focus on your weight, but actually moves you towards health.
Our Dietitians don’t offer weight loss programs or meal plans. She works with what’s actually going on — your labs, your history, your training demands, your relationship with food, your life — and builds from there.
The EVOLVE Dietitian Services Work
Traditional dietitian counseling follows a familiar pattern: intake, meal plan, follow-up to check compliance. At EVOLVE, we work differently. Our approach is less like that and more like clinical detective work — starting with the full picture before drawing any conclusions.
1. The Full Picture, Not Just Food
Before anything else, we want to understand what’s actually going on. That means a real conversation: your health history, your relationship with food, your training demands, your symptoms, your labs, your goals, your stress levels.
Nutrition doesn’t happen in a vacuum. What you eat matters — but so does whether you’re eating enough, how your GI system is functioning, what your labs are saying, and how eating actually works in your real daily life. We need a full picture before we can craft a plan for you.
2. Go In-Depth on Your Labs
If you’ve ever walked out of a primary care appointment with a vague recommendation to “eat healthier and exercise more,” and more questions than answers about your bloodwork, you’re not alone.
Most physician visits don’t leave time for a real conversation about what lab values mean — especially in context. Abby reviews labs in depth, looking at patterns across markers rather than just flagging isolated numbers as in or out of range.
For endurance athletes especially, “normal” doesn’t always tell the full story. Cholesterol or A1c values that would be interpreted one way in a sedentary person can signal something very different in someone logging hours of training a week.
3. No Diets. No Meal Plans
We don’t prescribe weight loss programs or meal plans. Evidence simply doesn’t support them as paths to lasting health. and happiness. Prescriptive meal plans tend to create rigidity and stress around eating rather than a sustainable relationship with food. Weight loss as a primary treatment target produces outcomes that are often worse for long-term health than advertised. The focus instead is on behavior, nourishment, and health markers that actually track with how you feel and function over time.
4. Nourishment First, Refinement Second
Our dietitians’ clinical expertise spans two areas that don’t often sit together: performance athlete nutrition and eating disorder treatment. That combination shapes how we work with everyone.
The surprising pattern we see everyday: most people are not eating enough. Diet culture and nutrition information overload have made us so afraid of eating the “wrong” things that we end up chronically under-nourished — systems straining, wondering why nothing feels right.
So our starting point is almost always the same: nourish the body first. That alone often produces dramatic improvements. From there, the work shifts to refinement — dialing in our approach to support you long term, even as your life and goals change.
Whether you’re navigating a health concern that hasn’t been fully explained, trying to fuel your training better, or ready for a different relationship with food — we’d love to help.
Don't just trust us...
Hear from real people who have worked with our dietitians.
Running Strong, Finally Nourished
“Abby really helped me as an ultra-runner and recovering anorexia nervosa patient. We refined my eating habits to be more normalized and aid me in feeling stronger.
Abby is kind, caring, and can relate to struggles one may have as an athlete, or [having an] eating disorder, and caters the program so that it is doable, not intimidating, and works towards recovery as a whole.”
— B.K.
Finally Feeling "Me" Again
“I thought I was eating the proper foods to promote a healthy GI system. Little did I know, my healthy diet was one of the factors that was contributing to my gastrointestinal discomfort.
I’ve met with many medical specialists over a course of 20 years and no one has ever evaluated my diet, eating patterns, and overall health conditions in great depth before…
…I was provided a nutrition plan that I know will finally make me ME again.”
— Camie R.
Best Shape of My Life
“I’ve been working with Evolve for over two years. Dietitian Abby Chan has helped me identify sleep apnea (and get a CPAP), work on a nutrition supplement plan, and generally feel like I’m in some of the best shape of my life.
The staff I have worked with are compassionate and attentive while also being cooperative with other health professionals. I strongly recommend their services.”
— Caleb A.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have hesitations? Let’s talk about them.
Does insurance cover dietitian services?
Every insurance plan is different, but many unfortunately do not cover dietitian services, or only do so with qualifying medical diagnoses.
We do not bill insurance directly, but do accept HSA or FSA cards, and can give an itemized receipt that you can submit for potential out-of-network reimbursement.
Do you work with my insurance?
EVOLVE does not work directly with any insurance companies. But, before you search for a different clinic, let’s unpack what that means, and why out-of-network may actually be a better option.
When a clinic contracts with insurance companies, those contracts shape how care is delivered: appointment length, visit frequency, what treatments are covered, and how quickly cases turn over. The result is often short appointments, care delivered by unlicensed aides, and treatment plans built around what insurance will approve rather than what you actually need.
Out-of-network services do not answer to those constraints. At EVOLVE, every session is directly with a licensed Registered Dietitian. Appointments are thorough and detailed. Your plan is built around your situation and your goals — not a billing code.
We can provide an itemized receipt (called a “superbill”) after each visit that you can submit to your insurance company for potential out-of-network reimbursement.
What do dietitian services at EVOLVE cost?
EVOLVE has a set rate for each session:
- Initial Evaluation: $165
- Follow-Up Visit: $130
- HSA and FSA cards accepted
We can offer a sliding scale for individuals experiencing financial hardship.
Do I need a referral?
No. You can see a physical therapist without a physician referral. Just book an initial evaluation and we’ll get started right away
What is the difference between a Registered Dietitian and a nutritionist?
“Registered Dietitian” (RD) or “Registered Dietitian Nutritionist” (RDN) are a federally protected credentials. Earning it requires a graduate degree in dietetics, extensive of hours of supervised clinical practice, and passing a national licensing exam.
In most states — including Arizona — the title “nutritionist” carries no such requirements. Anyone can call themselves a nutritionist regardless of their training or background, even with no experience at all.
That doesn’t mean every nutritionist is unqualified, but it does mean the credential alone tells you very little. If you’re dealing with a health condition, complex labs, an eating disorder, or anything where the stakes are real, working with a Registered Dietitian means you know exactly what level of training you’re getting.
What can EVOLVE's dietitians help with?
Our registered dietitians work with a wide range of concerns — well beyond generic diet advice. Common areas include:
- Eating disorder treatment and recovery
- Endurance athletic performance, fueling, and underfueling (including RED-S)
- Relationship with food and body
- Chronic conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure
- Histamine intolerance
- Food allergies and sensitivities
- GI issues
- In-depth lab interpretation — cholesterol, blood sugar, hormones, thyroid
Not sure if your situation is a fit? Reach out before you book — we’re happy to talk it through first.
My child or teen is struggling. Can you help?
Of course! We find that it is crucial to also have caregivers involved in a child’s care.
When we work with children or teens we will follow-up with the caregiver to discuss the plan of care and needs of the child or teen.
I'm thinking about booking this as a gift for my partner, spouse, or family member because I'm worried about their health. Should I?
Please don’t — at least not without asking them first, and ideally letting them decide for themselves. Nutrition counseling only works when someone actually wants to be there and has their own reasons for showing up. A person sitting in an appointment because their partner scheduled it for them is not starting from a place where meaningful work can happen.
If your concern is genuine, the most useful thing you can do is let your partner know this service exists and let them make their own decision. You’re always welcome to reach out or book a discovery call to learn more before recommending it to someone else.
What is Health At Every Size®?
The Health at Every Size (HAES) approach is a paradigm that focuses on promoting health and well-being regardless of body size or weight. It challenges the traditional weight-centric approach to health and emphasizes body acceptance, compassionate self-care, and overall holistic well-being.
Key principles of the Health at Every Size approach include:
Weight inclusivity: HAES recognizes and accepts that people come in diverse body sizes and shapes, and that health and well-being can be achieved at any weight.
Health enhancement: The focus is on adopting behaviors that support physical, emotional, and mental well-being, rather than pursuing weight loss as the primary indicator of health.
Respectful care: Healthcare providers and professionals are encouraged to provide compassionate and non-judgmental care to individuals of all sizes, without making assumptions based on weight.
Eating for well-being: The emphasis is on promoting a healthy relationship with food and intuitive eating, where individuals learn to listen to their body’s hunger and fullness cues and choose foods that nourish and satisfy them.
Joyful movement: The focus is on finding enjoyable and sustainable forms of physical activity that promote overall fitness and well-being, rather than prescribing specific exercise regimens for weight loss.
The HAES approach acknowledges that health is a complex and multifaceted concept influenced by various factors, including genetics, social determinants, access to healthcare, mental health, and more. It seeks to shift the narrative away from weight stigma and discrimination, promoting body acceptance, and fostering a positive and inclusive approach to health.
It’s important to note that the HAES approach does not ignore the potential health risks associated with certain behaviors or medical conditions. Instead, it encourages individuals to adopt healthy habits and engage in self-care practices, focusing on overall well-being rather than weight as the sole determinant of health.
Is there scientific research that supports a Health at Every Size Approach® (HAES)?
Yes! There are numerous studies that have explored the impact of a HAES approach on various health outcomes. Here are some of the findings:
Improved psychological well-being: Research suggests that adopting a HAES approach is associated with improved body image, self-esteem, and psychological well-being, regardless of changes in weight.
Positive health behaviors: Studies have shown that those who embrace HAES principles are more likely to engage in health-promoting behaviors such as intuitive eating, physical activity, and regular healthcare visits.
Reduced weight stigma and discrimination: HAES has been found to reduce weight-based stigma and discrimination, which are known to have negative consequences for both physical and mental health.
Health improvements: While weight loss is not be the primary focus of HAES, studies have found that individuals who adopt a HAES approach can experience improvements in various health markers such as blood pressure, blood lipids, and metabolic health.
Sustainable outcomes: Unlike traditional weight-centric approaches, HAES emphasizes sustainable behaviors and long-term well-being. Research shows that HAES interventions can lead to better long-term outcomes compared to conventional weight-loss programs.
New research is being conducted on an ongoing basis, and the existing evidence supports the notion that promoting body acceptance, healthful behaviors, and well-being independent of weight can contribute to improved health and quality of life for all bodies.
What is intuitive eating?
Intuitive Eating is an evidenced-based approach to how we eat, think, and engage with food that has been shown to improve mental and physical health. The concept of intuitive eating dates back to the early 1970s and was popularized by two dietitians in 1995.
It is a weight-neutral model that includes principles that cultivate interoceptive awareness to rebuild trust and respect for your body. While there are 10 principles of intuitive eating, they are not intended to be “rules”, rather they are a way to integrate mind and body by focusing on regulation, self-care, body respect, and coping coping tools.
While there is no “right” way to eat intuitively, not every principle is going to be appropriate for everyone, all the time.
Our dietitians are experts in helping you better navigate food and nutrition that is specific to you without compromising your relationship with food and your body.
Why is dieting harmful?
The initial evaluation is 75 minutes. We’ll first spend time learning about you, understanding the history of your issue, and exploring your goals.
From there, we assess the area of concern, look at relevant movement patterns, and develop a clinical picture of what’s going on. You’ll leave with a clear explanation of what we found, what the plan is, and a home program to start right away.
Can you help me lose weight?
Our dietitians do not work in weight management. While your body weight may change while working with a dietitian, weight change is not our main focus.
Our main focus is to improve your overall health with sustainable goals and habits. Our dietitians take an additive versus subtractive approach to food and nutrition. By adding more nutrients, food, and movement to your life, we can drastically improve health and quality of life.
Why is my bodyweight not a good indicator of my health?
Weight alone is not a comprehensive or definitive indicator of a person’s overall health status. It does not take into account important factors such as muscle mass, bone density, distribution of fat, and overall body composition. Bodies have always been diverse and there is no such thing as an “ideal” weight or size.
There are many factors that affect a person’s health beyond weight. Some of these include: genetics, access to health care, access to food, clean air, lifestyle choices, trauma history, diet, physical activity, mental well-being, and underlying medical conditions. Two individuals with the same weight may have different levels of physical fitness, cardiovascular health, or metabolic health.
Our genetics are major determinants of the size and shape of our bodies. Our dietitians take many considerations into account when assessing health status. Some of these include: health history, gastrointestinal function, nutrient status, blood pressure, cholesterol levels, blood sugar levels, exercise and movement practices, mental well-being, and overall lifestyle habits. We place a greater focus on factors, along with your relationship to food and your body, rather than focusing on your weight.
How many sessions will I need?
It depends. At least two sessions is typically minimum, but most of our clients range from 3-8 sessions depending on what you are dealing with. We often space sessions out 3-6 weeks to provide you with ample time to implement the practices and goals we have identified.
Regardless of how many sessions you start with, we also suggest a 6 month follow-up with a dietitian after discharge because, as we all know, change can be difficult and it is nice to have a dietitian in your back pocket for support.
How can a dietitian support healing from an injury or surgery?
The right approach to nutrition can quite directly support healing. .
Protein, carbohydrate, and total caloricaffect tissue repair, collagen synthesis, and recovery timelines in ways that matter — especially after surgery or in the middle of a longer rehab. Specific micronutrients (vitamin D, calcium, omega-3s, and others) are directly relevant to bone healing, tendon health, and inflammation.
For active people dealing with an injury, the instinct to eat less because training volume has dropped can actually backfire: the body often needs more nutritional support during recovery, not less.
Our dietitians and physical therapists work in the same facility and can coordinate care when it makes sense. If you’re working on a PT issue and want to understand what nutrition can do for your recovery, consider adding an appointment with our dietitians.
Can you just give me a meal plan?
No — at least not in the way most people mean when they ask. Prescriptive plans that tell you exactly what to eat at every meal tend to create rigidity and compliance anxiety, not a sustainable relationship with food.
The goal is to help you understand your body, your nutritional needs, and how to eat in ways that genuinely work in your real life — not to hand you a template to follow until you give up on it.
Not sure if we are the right fit, or have other questions?
We’d love to help. Click the button below to shoot us a note, and then we’ll set up a time to chat about your goals and the perfect plan for you.