Julianne Taylor
Registered Nutritionist, NZRGON, Dip design, PG Dip Design for disability, PGDip Sci (Nutrition), PhD candidate
I’ve been fascinated by nutrition and the difference it can make to people’s health since the day I changed from eating a fairly standard healthy diet to the Zone diet in 1996, adding Paleo food choices in 2009. Not only did it change my health, it changed my career direction. I had been working in health-related areas for many years, (first as a registered nurse and then as a designer of equipment for people with disabilities, I have a Diploma in Design, and post-grad Diploma in Design for disability) and was looking for a change in direction. My interest in nutrition was sparked, and became a Certified Zone diet instructor. I have since studied nutrition at Massey University, and completed a post graduate diploma, with research.
In 2009 I started working with CrossFit clients at CrossFit Auckland where I was introduced to Paleo eating. After reading “The Paleo Diet” and several papers by Professor Loren Cordain I needed no more convincing. I had to try out this way of eating.
This was indeed the missing link for me. The Zone diet reduced most of my health issues; PMS, menstrual pain, reactive hypoglycemia and occasionally swelling knees (related to auto-immune joint inflammation). I also lost weight and gained more energy. However, these issues were not completely resolved and would come and go. Eating Paleo food choices was the missing link , all health problems went and they stayed away! I have put the primary link down to gluten sensitivity, although I don’t have coeliac disease, many of the symptoms I had and the relationship to auto-immune disease provided clues. (See this post on non-coeliac gluten sensitivity)
I have huge appreciation for the Zone diet because it gave me the first taste of the dramatic difference diet could make. By including protein in each meal, finding portions correct for me, reducing carbohydrates (especially refined ones), improving the quality of my food, increasing Omega 3 and reducing Omega 6, I had a diet template that I could eat and know I wouldn’t gain weight, I felt energised and had stable blood glucose.
The wellness I achieved with Paleo food choices was profound. To be free of niggling health issues was a revelation, not something I thought possible. The science behind the paleo diet – a diet viewed through the lens of evolutionary biology -not only makes sense, it works, and not just for me, but for many I know who have shifted to Paleo food choices. My story can be found here ‘My Nutrition Journey: From the average New Zealand diet, to vegetarian, food pyramid, Zone and Paleo’.
And here is me as Cover Girl in a Sunday Star Times article on Diets
This blog reflects my learning and what works for myself and the clients I work with. I love helping people and passing information on.
During my post-graduate studies I heard of people with the autoimmune disease rheumatoid arthritis, who had successfully used the paleo or autoimmune protocol which ameliorated their symptoms. This has led me on a research path, now a Ph.D. investigating the role of diet in rheumatoid arthritis.
Disclaimer: The views in this blog are my own and do not reflect any organisation or individual I represent or am associated with.
Contact me directly Julianne’s email for questions or to book a consultation.
