Consult Bernadette Yu, Holistic Nutritionist in Mississauga. Bernadette also provide online Nutritional Counselling to clients across Mississauga, Brampton, Oakville, Etobicoke, Burlington, Milton and the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).

Are you looking to improve your health, boost your energy, or manage a chronic condition through expert nutritional guidance? Our Nutritional Counseling services at Bernadette Yu Wellness are designed to help you achieve optimal wellness through a personalized, evidence-based approach.

1. What Is Nutritional Counseling?

“Let your food be your medicine and your medicine be your food.” These words from Hippocrates, the Father of Medicine, remain as relevant today as they were 2,500 years ago. Modern research continues to show that poor nutrition and environmental factors contribute to the development of many diseases. Good nutrition is fundamental to overall health, yet its importance is still often underrecognized in mainstream medicine. In many cases, targeted nutritional therapy can promote meaningful, positive changes in well‑being.

Nutritional counseling is a collaborative process in which a holistic nutritionist works with you to assess your current dietary habits, identify your nutritional needs, and create personalized nutrition and supplement plans. Grounded in the latest scientific research, nutritional counseling supports you in adopting realistic, sustainable eating habits that align with your health goals and fit your lifestyle—empowering you to make lasting improvements in your health.

2. What Nutritional Counseling Can Address

Our nutritional counseling service can support various health concerns, including:

Chronic disease prevention and management
Weight management (weight loss, gain, or maintenance)
Diabetes & blood sugar regulation
Heart health (abnormal cholesterol, high blood pressure)
Digestive concerns (IBS, bloating, food intolerances)
Food allergies & sensitivities
Sports nutrition and performance
Child and adolescent nutrition
Prenatal and postpartum wellness
Managing eating disorders
Autoimmune disordersOur nutritional counseling service can support various health concerns, including:
Weight management (weight loss, gain, or maintenance)
Diabetes & blood sugar regulation
Heart health (abnormal cholesterol, high blood pressure)
Digestive concerns (IBS, bloating, food intolerances)
Food allergies & sensitivities
Skin disorders such as eczema and psoriasis
Sports nutrition and performance
Child and adolescent nutrition
Prenatal and postpartum wellness
Managing eating disorders
Autoimmune disorders such as lupus, fibromyalgia
Cancer recovery support
Chronic disease prevention and management

3. Your Nutritional Counseling Journey: What to Expect

The process begins with a thorough evaluation of your dietary habits, medical history, lifestyle, and goals. Practitioners may use physical measures, lab tests, and validated questionnaires to detect nutritional deficiencies or risks.
Factors such as age, metabolism, chronic conditions, preferences, and cultural background are considered.

Based on your assessment, realistic and achievable nutrition-related goals are established. These are tailored to your specific health needs, preferences, and lifestyle. For example, goals may focus on improving blood sugar control, lowering cholesterol, supporting digestive health, or achieving a healthy weight.

Recommendations are grounded in current scientific research, clinical guidelines, and established health standards. Targeted nutrition guidance can improve outcomes in diabetes, heart disease, obesity, and other health concerns.

Practitioners may design individualized meal plans that are realistic, achievable, and sustainable. Plans may focus on addressing specific health concerns, optimizing nutrient intake, supporting weight management, or meeting lifestyle goals.

Nutritional counseling provides education on healthy food choices, portion control, reading food labels, mindful eating, and the therapeutic roles of various nutrients.
The aim is to empower you with practical knowledge and skills for making informed decisions without feeling restricted.

Effective counseling is not a one-time intervention. It often involves regular follow-ups, progress monitoring, and adjustments to dietary strategies as your needs evolve.

Choose the format that fits your schedule.

4. How Does Nutritional Counseling Work?

Evidence-Based Recommendations: Using latest research and guidelines, we recommend changes proven to benefit your health.
Individualized Plans: Every plan is customized—no generic diets.
Behavior Change Support: We help you overcome obstacles with motivational interviewing and regular check-ins.
Education: Learn how food affects your body, what choices to make, and how to implement them daily.

5. How Do I Prepare for My Appointment?

Be ready to discuss:

Your health history and current concerns
Food records (a 3–7 day food journal is helpful)
Any lab results or medication lists
Your goals and preferences

Wear comfortable clothing and come prepared to share openly. For virtual appointments, have your notes handy.

6. How Can Nutritional Counseling Help Improve My Health Condition?

Nutritional counseling can play a significant role in improving your health condition by providing expert, personalized guidance that targets your specific needs and medical concerns. Here’s how it can benefit you:

Whether you’re managing diabetes, heart disease, digestive issues, or struggling with weight, nutritional counseling offers advice tailored to your unique health circumstances. By understanding your medical history, symptoms, and current lifestyle, a nutrition professional can recommend dietary strategies that directly support your condition—such as stabilizing blood sugar, lowering cholesterol, improving gut health, or reducing inflammation.

Rather than relying on generic diets, nutritional counseling provides nutrition plans and food choices that take your preferences, cultural background, and medical requirements into account. These realistic and individualized plans make it easier for you to adopt and maintain healthier habits that benefit your overall well-being.

A thorough assessment can identify gaps in your diet—such as low levels of vitamins, minerals, or other nutrients—that may be contributing to your health issues. Nutritional counseling helps correct these deficiencies through practical food recommendations or, when necessary, supplementation.

You’ll learn how to make healthier food choices, adjust portion sizes, and practice mindful eating—all key skills for sustainable, long-term improvement. The ongoing support and education you receive can motivate you and help you overcome obstacles, making changes more manageable and lasting.

Evidence-based nutritional strategies can help prevent the onset of chronic diseases and improve existing conditions. For example, counseling may reduce the risk of heart disease by promoting a heart-friendly diet, support weight loss and metabolic health, or improve digestive function through balanced eating patterns.

Nutritional counseling isn’t a one-time fix. Regular check-ins allow for tracking your progress, adjusting your plan as needed, and continuously addressing any challenges. This dynamic process ensures that your nutrition evolves along with your health and lifestyle.

In summary:

Nutritional counseling gives you the tools, support, and knowledge needed to make changes that positively impact your health. By translating nutrition science into practical action steps, you’ll be empowered to improve your condition, boost your energy, and enhance your overall quality of life.

About the Author: Bernadette Hayhurst is a Holistic Nutritionist, Ontario Registered Acupuncturist and Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner who works in her own practice in Mississauga and who also lectures in Chinese Herbal Medicine to students at the Toronto School of Traditional Chinese Medicine. In addition to treating more general health issues and concerns, Bernadette has a special interest in nutritional healing and does regular presentations on nutritional solutions for good health at the Goodness Me supermarket in Mississauga at Mavis and Bristol. Bernadete can be contacted on (416) 722-8813 for appointments.

Bernadette Yu – Holistic Nutritionist in mississauga, ON provides Acupuncture, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Bioenergetic / Biomeridian Testing, Nutritional Counselling, Treatment for Pain Relief, Fertility Issues, Cancer and Stroke Recovery to clients across Mississauga, Brampton, Oakville, Etobicoke, Burlington, Milton and the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).

Contact Bernadette Yu – Holistic Nutritionist in Mississauga, ON