It’s no secret that discussing diet and weight is a sensitive topic for many people. Shame, guilt and feelings of failure are just a few of the negative emotions associated with dissecting food and lifestyle habits, leading many to avoid the subject altogether. For Janna Weaver, RDN, LD, the founder and owner of Radiant Nutrition, she understands these feelings all too well.
Weaver has been a registered dietitian for nearly 20 years. She struggled with her weight when she was a child, eventually losing over 75 pounds during her teenage years. However, she experienced disordered eating as a young adult, which prompted her to understand nutrition from both a scientific and human perspective.
She prides her team on having the medical knowledge to perceive not just what the human body needs to be healthy, but to embody a sense of holistic peace in her practice.
“I’ve been very open about my weight loss journey and what I’ve walked through,” Weaver said. “I am vulnerable with my clients, and so are my dietitians. We want people to know that, no matter what, we care. We’re here to encourage them and help them turn things around with their health.”
This serves as Radiant Nutrition’s personal mission: to connect with people on a deeper level so dietary habits can be transformed from within. There is a common misconception that dietitians only talk about what someone should put on their plate, but Weaver says personal ordeals factor into negative relationships with eating, which can be difficult for clients to face.
“Coming in here can be very emotional for a lot of people. They make that decision to pursue and change, and they may feel shame or feelings they shouldn’t about their eating habits,” Weaver explained. “We just want them to feel that they came to the right place and they have support.”
An initial meeting with a new client is blocked off for two hours so the dietitian can understand a person’s eating habits, lifestyle and feelings about food. Whether someone is trying to lose weight, understand why they feel lethargic throughout the day, or maintain a healthy relationship with food, Weaver and her team practice a detailed and personal approach when working with clients.
“Everything is very individualized in this kind of setting. We get to know our clients on a relationship basis,” she said. “We get to know their medical history or any challenges they’ve had, such as hormone imbalances or lab blood work or trauma, then we discuss any goals that they have.”
Radiant Nutrition doesn’t just focus on those who need a step-by-step guide to a healthier lifestyle. Weaver says many people already eat well and exercise regularly, but they want to fine tune their habits or they have a specific issue they want to address. More often than not, one method that was successful previously isn’t working anymore.
“Sometimes, you need somebody to sit there with you, offer support and lay out a clear plan,” she said. “To be able to strategize with people and to give them that kind of peace of mind, even if they don't complete their goals, they can come back, meet with us, and we will keep going.”
Aside from Weaver, Radiant Nutrition has three registered dietitians on its staff: Sophia Smith, RDN, LD; Ngocmy Nguyen, MS, RDN, LD; and Annie Cavalier, MS, RDN, LD. Weaver loves the dynamic her team shares and how they balance each other out well with their different personalities.
“They are incredible. They’re passionate about helping people really make those changes so they can understand and connect the dots,” Weaver said. “I want them to be in an environment where they want to come into this office. They’re happy and they feel cared for, which is so important because they are caring for our clients.”
The team shares the ultimate goal for each client to feel good and empowered about their nutritional choices, leading them to a healthier and happier lifestyle. Weaver tries her best to keep her practice’s atmosphere light and encouraging, even when her patients aren’t feeling their best.
“Some of the clients I’ve been seeing for years now,” Weaver explained. “We check in and have that rapport. It’s part of their wellbeing. If anything like lab work or lifestyle have changed, we are able to support them on that level.”
Radiant Nutrition is located at 306 Hwy 377, Suite F, in Argyle and offers telehealth appointments, as well. Visit jannaweaver.com or call 940-464-9800 to learn more about Radiant Nutrition, its services, and to schedule an appointment.
"We want people to know no matter what, we care."
“Everything is very individualized ... We get to know our clients on a relationship basis.”
