About- Kristie L. Finnan, RD, LDN

Hello!  I’m Kristie. I specialize in Celiac disease, food intolerances/allergies, IBS (FODMAP diet,)💩 gastrointestinal disorders, sports nutrition, auto-immune diseases, ADHD & happy/healthy living. 

I love food! I believe that food should taste good and is something we should all LOVE.  I’m not a fan of over processed foods, food dyes or artificial flavors.  I don’t like “diets.”  I like to teach others about foods that can make them healthier and help them with strategies to manage their own wellness.  I am a fan of real whole foods and love to experiment in the kitchen and especially bake!  Julia Child is my all time favorite Chef because that woman just loved to have fun with her food.  I love gardening, am a member of  a CSA  and buy most foods organic and local when possible.

I became extremely interested in food intolerances when my own son presented with some unexplained neurologic/respiratory symptoms.  After eliminating several culprit foods and additives, his symptoms diminished!  My daughter tested positive for Celiac almost 2 years ago. My nephew also has Celiac disease.  This personal connection to the disease helps me help others with gluten issues. I love helping people figure out what TO eat vs just telling them what not to eat.We have been living mostly organic and gluten free at our house for 5+  years.

I graduated from Penn State in 1994 with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Nutrition.  I then went to graduate school in Boston where I was working on my MEd in Nutrition, completed my Dietetic Internship and became a Registered Dietitian.

After my internship, I took a job doing osteoporosis research which sideswiped me into a 15 year career in the pharmaceutical/biotech world. During that time, I saw first hand how important the role of food plays in our daily lives and how what we eat (or don’t eat) can contribute to many different diseases.  Most of my 15 years in pharma/biotech I worked with immunology products (vaccines & a monoclonal antibody therapy for Psoriasis)  The last two years in Biotech,  I worked in oncology.  After several “ah-ha” moments, I knew it was time to follow my heart and go back to working in preventative healthcare, Nutrition.

In 2011, I started this private practice.  I work full time as a Registered and Licensed Dietitian Nutritionist Nutritionist (RDN,LDN) at my office, Eat Right Bucks County in Doylestown, PA.  I also teach therapeutic Nutrition at DeSales University. I’m thrilled to work with Davida Kleinman, MA, RDN, LDN and Andrea Young RDN, LDN who are also both working passionately at my office too to make Bucks County a healthier community!

I also blog at www.KristieFinnan.com.    There I share Nutrition information, recipes, my life and things I just love with others online.  Because I LOVE baking and dessert is something all celiac and gluten intolerant people struggle with, I’ll be sure to post some yummy GF dessert recipes there too!

When I’m not working, I just love having everyday fun with my 3 kids, husband and two crazy puppies Betty & Jersey.  I love being outdoors, gardening, Yoga, writing, taking pictures, baking, social networking, meeting new people and trying new things.  I love living in beautiful Bucks County, PA and especially in the Fall!

(Family Picture from the Pumpkin Festival- 2012.  I love pumpkins- eating them, carving them and lighting them!)

In addition,  I am…

• Member of the American Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics,
  -Practice Groups: 1. Entrepreneurial 2. Dietitians in Integrative and Functional Medicine (DIFM) 3. SCAN Sports Cardiovascular and Wellness Nutrition
• Executive Team Member, Development Chair for DIFM
• Doylestown Food Coop Member
• Campaign Volunteer for Kids Eat Right- supporting the goals and tactics of the Academy’s Childhood Obesity Prevention Coalition.
• Kids Eat Right 2012 2 x Grant Recipient for Healthy Eating in Schools
• Adjunct Nutrition Professor at Bucks County Community College 2012-2014
• Speaker for PA Academy of Pediatrics- EPIC®: Pediatric Obesity Evaluation, Treatment and Prevention Program in Community Settings.
• The Women’s Business Forum – Margaret Meade Member (Bucks County, PA)
• Winner of BEST Nutritionist in Bucks County- 2012-2016  Bucks Happening List.
• Member of the Nutrition Blog Network
• CBAA Girls Soccer Coach 2012-2014, Buckingham United Girls Travel Soccer-Assistant Coach 2013/2014
• Owner of KLF Nutrition Counseling & Education At Eat Right Bucks County!
• A Published Children’s book author: Mommy’s High Heel Shoes

Also, follow my blog and daily adventures on Twitter @KristieFinnan & @EatRightBucks  I can’t wait to get to know you! I’m also on PINTEREST  & Instagram

Kristie L. Finnan, RD, LDN

(Oh, and I LOVE Disney World!)

 

About- Andrea Young, RDN, LDN

Andrea specializes in: diabetes, cardiac, weight management, oncology & food allergies.  She has first hand knowledge of food allergies.  She says, “Growing up with a peanut and tree nut allergies, I know living with a food allergy can be difficult, especially when first diagnosed. I know that with my years of first hand experience and knowledge, I can help others work through their struggles with food allergies.”

Andrea says, “As a Registered Dietitian I believe it is important to continue with education and stay up to date in practice.The health and well-being of others is important to me and I enjoy helping people reach their nutritional goals.”Andrea’s philsophy:  “Food should always taste good and I believe we should always enjoy the foods that we are eating. I feel the best nutrition we can get is when we go back to basics and enjoy eating foods that are natural and not overly processed.  I believe we can have all foods in moderation and completely restricting any food is rarely necessary. Food and nutrition has always been a part of my life and I hope to share my passion with others. Nutrition is my passion and I couldn’t image myself doing anything else!”

Andrea Young, RDN, LDN graduated Magna Cum Laude from West Chester University receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Nutrition and Dietetics with a minor in Psychology.  After graduating, she was immediately accepted into a dietetic internship in the Philadelphia area and became a Registered Dietitian!

She also worked as a  Clinical Dietitian at St. Mary’s Hosptial in Bucks County until she decided to go back to nursing school!  She has an array of experience in many different areas of including cardiac, diabetes, oncology, HIV, pulmonary, behavioral, nutrition support, GI, renal, cancer & pediatrics. She will be an amazing Registered Nurse as well.

Andrea particularly loves counseling!   She specializes in: diabetes, cardiac, weight management, oncology & food allergies.  Andrea says, “As a Registered Dietitian I believe it is important to continue with education and stay up to date in practice. The health and well-being of others is important to me and I enjoy helping people reach their nutritional goals.”

In Andrea’s free time she enjoys spending time with family and friends, exercising, especially yoga.  She says, “I always feel re-energized after working out!”

She also has a Lab Husky mix named Kahlua and enjoys bringing her on daily walks, especially to Peace Valley Park.  Andrea also loves cooking with her family.   She loves making home made meals and learning new recipes from her mom Mom and Grandma.

 

Low FODMAP Diet for IBS

If you are suffering from Irritable Bowel Syndrome, you might be starting to feel like there is no way out. The good news? There is! By avoiding high FODMAP foods, you will be able to relieve your symptoms fairly quick if you follow the diet. What are FODMAPs? FODMAP stands for Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides, and Polyols. Click here for more description on how FODMAPs work with your digestive system. To put it in simpler terms, FODMAPs are carbohydrates and sugars found in foods. What you want to do is avoid high FODMAP foods and go on a low FODMAP diet. Here are two lists of foods you should avoid (High FODMAP foods) and safe foods that you can eat (Low FODMAP foods)

NOTE: When implementing a low FODMAP diet, is important to work with a Registered Dietitian who specializes in IBS and this diet.  And the good news, the goal is not to avoid high FODMAP foods forever, but to get your symptoms under control and then re-introduce high FODMAP foods slowly & one at at a time to identify which foods trigger your symptoms.

 

Tips for turning your kids into healthy eaters

Dealing with picky eaters is a common struggle for many parents. We all want our kids to be good eaters but sometimes we don’t know the right tricks. The prevalence of childhood obesity in the United States increases each day, so it is important to introduce your children to healthy foods that will benefit their growth and development. The earlier you start introducing healthy foods to kids, the better. Tip #1: introduce foods slowly. You can do this by sneaking in a few leaves of spinach into their smoothies or some vegetables in their pasta. Once they get used to the idea of actually liking something healthy, they will voluntarily eat it. Tip #2: is to always have healthy options available. If you have mostly junk food in your house, how do you expect your kids to go for the one fruit option that you have? The more they see healthy foods, the more comfortable they will become with them. They will start to like and choose them on their own! Tip #3: make it fun and get them involved. You can do this by trying new foods often, having them help you cook, or making some sort of game out of it. Tip #4: My final and most important tip is to be a role model for your child. If your kids see you eating healthy, they will want to do the same!  

Easy Gluten Free Muffins

While scrolling endlessly on Facebook, I came across this recipe while watching one of those thirty second cooking videos that have become so popular and decided to try it out.  Here is the super simple recipe to these delicious mini muffins!! These are super easy and most ingredients are probably lying around your house! The best part is, no added sugar and no flour! These are great for a snack after dinner or to throw into kids lunches! Enjoy the snow and these delicious gluten free mini muffins!

 

 

 

Enjoy!

-Lauren Gannon

Future Registered Dietitian Nutritionist
Nutrition Student at West Chester U. & Student Intern at Eat Right Bucks County