frequently asked questions

Next Ingredient is a resources hub for food and nutrition-related concerns. It is run by me, Gail, and offers one-on-one consulting, in-person community classes, a podcast, and a few tea blends, which can be purchased online or in stores and markets in the northwest. 

I offer both remote and in-person appointments. 

I don’t usually push for weight loss in my nutritional approach; improving organ function and quality of life take priority when I do consulting. Weight changes play a part in this at times, but it’s typically more of a side note, rather than a primary focus. Many clients are trying to bring back regular periods and/or recover from decreased organ function, and might benefit from having some "safety weight" especially during times of illness, life change, or other forms of stress.  

After the client has scheduled and paid for their intake session, I review their intake form, as well as any records or lab work that they provide. We then have the intake session, which is one hour long, where the client shares their health-related concerns and goals. Following this appointment, I put together a summary of our visit, and share a short-term plan with them, related to their primary nutrition goal. This summary includes a few takeaways that they can implement before their first fo

At this time, I only require a commitment to one consultation at a time so that each client can choose the schedule that works best for their routine. 

I try to support my clients in finding the most nutritious foods that they have access to at any given time, rather than requiring them to follow a specific diet. If food sensitivities are an issue, I work with them on increasing the variety of foods they can tolerate. I do prefer that my clients use foods that don’t contain non-food additives, but access to food fluctuates, and I try to share practical tools that can be used in a variety of situations. 

Everyone’s timeline is a little different, depending on how long they have been struggling with their health, as well as other aspects of life that are related to organ function, like stress level, sleep quality, activity level, etc.