Lacy Ngo, MS, RD
MINDFULNESS IN FAITH AND FOOD
for something nutrishus
Lacy follows the series and loves learning about other dietitians. She has a unique spin on holistic health; we've seen psychology and coaching, but Lacy's nutrition advice comes with mindfulness that is also faith-based. She has a unique career path and an ebook that sounds perfect for busy families.
Why did you become a dietitian?
My interest in nutrition started in middle school. I was an overweight teen and was often picked on for being overweight. One particular day a boy called me a “Two Ton Whale.” At some point in middle school I decided to make changes, and I soon lost weight.
After losing the weight, I had so much more energy! I realized how much nutrition effected how we feel so when I graduated high school I decided to major in Food Science and Human Nutrition in college. I received my Bachelors of Science in Food Science and Human Nutrition from Clemson University (National Champions 2016; Woohoo!!!) and did my internship and received my masters in Human Nutrition from Winthrop University.
What area of dietetics do you work in?
I have found passions in many areas of dietetics over the years, but I have currently found my home as a faith-based wellness blogger and writer. My website is called Mindfulness in Faith and Food and focuses on nourishing the whole body: mind, body and spirit. My latest project is the “Mindfulness in Faith and Freezer Meals” ebook. “Mindfulness in Faith and Freezer Meals” teaches how to efficiently cook a month of healthy breakfasts, lunches, and dinners all in ONE day as well as provide mindful eating techniques. The ebook also discussed the importance of faith and nourishing the soul as part of a healthy lifestyle.
As a faith-based dietitian, I recently became involved in the FAN (Faith, Activity, and Nutrition) program. With Sunday school donuts and those famous potluck dinners, church is sometimes not conducive to a healthy lifestyle. This is where the FAN program comes in. FAN is a faith-based program that works to create a healthier church environment. I have enjoyed being a FAN coordinator for the past year.
How would you explain what you do?
Dietitians are not only trained in how to understand research, but we are also trained in nutrition counseling and motivational interviewing. Using these skills, I hope that I am helping others by providing sound information as well as provide encouragement and support through my writing and through my teaching during group classes and events.
What are your typical daily/weekly tasks?
As the sole owner of Mindfulness in Faith and Food, LLC my tasks include everything from writing posts, budgeting, business accounting, promoting, graphic design, fixing website issues, staying up-to-date in research, recipe testing, etc.
What has been your career path?
During my college years, my heart felt drawn to dialysis patients so after college I got my first job as a hemodialysis dietitian. My love for my dialysis patients grew even more during the years I worked in dialysis.
I worked many years as a dialysis dietitian, but then I had my first child. My husband worked long hours so after having a child, I needed something more flexible. Private nutrition counseling had the flexible hours I needed. During this time I also wrote a nutrition column for my city’s local newspaper. I was a nutrition counselor until I got the opportunity to teach nutrition at Winthrop University. Teaching nutrition at a university was another joy of mine and I taught for several years.
And finally, through amazing coincidences and ripple effects I felt led to start a blog about my faith and how it relates to nutrition and health. As I look back, I am in awe of how this blogging journey came to pass.
What advanced education or special training do you have?
I have a Bachelors of Science and a Masters degree in Human Nutrition, and I have completed mindful eating and mindful eating for children courses.
In an ideal world, what does the industry look like 5 years from now?
I think we are realizing that health is so much more than the body. In five years, I see more of a focus on the whole person: mind, body, and spirit.
What is your favorite meal?
My favorite meal is an already-made healthy homemade freezer meal. I love to cook, but with soccer practices, dance classes, and night meetings, I often can’t find the time to cook at night. This is why I spend one day a month mindfully cooking enough freezer meals for a month. In fact, my friends and family know me as the freezer meal dietitian. The day I cook all my freezer meals has become such a sacred time. It is a time to be fully present and engaged with my cooking. I pray before beginning and remind myself to be thankful for the opportunity to create.
More about Lacy:
Website: www.mindfulnessinfaithandfood.com
Pinterest: Mindfulness in Faith and Food | Dietitian | Lacy Ngo, MS, RD
Facebook: Mindfulness in Faith and Food
Instagram: @mindfulnessinfaithandfood
Thanks Lacy!