About - Chef Shannon Nutrition

Hi, friend! I'm Shannon.

My recipe for life is avocados, cozy sweaters, coffee shops, and French Fries.

I’m a non-diet dietitian and certified culinary nutritionist with a mission to make plant-forward eating accessible and fun to all bodies. Keep scrolling to learn more.

I've been in your shoes.

Guess what? I was probably a lot like you. Always making my health a top priority by reading up on all the latest nutrition news and trends. I loved learning about nutrition so much that it led me to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. But somewhere along the way, my interest in “health” and nutrition turned into an obsession.

Food and exercise went from being a part of my life to being my life. Ideas about meal prepping and workout routines consumed my thoughts. This lifestyle I built for myself was meant to make me healthy, but it ultimately left me with very little energy to live my life outside of the kitchen.

Things had to change. I re-evaluated my values, made peace with food and my body, and learned to be flexible in my approach with plant-based nutrition. Today, I show up as a non-diet dietitian so passionate about coaching amazing humans – like you – to have freedom with food and movement while still honoring their health in a way that aligns with their values.

Just a few things that help me help you

My Credentials

Bachelor of Science in Exercise & Sports Science

Howard Payne University, Texas

Registered Dietitian Nutritionist

Texas Woman's University | Sodexo | Licensed Dietitian in Maryland

Certified Culinary Nutritionist

Culinary Nutrition Studio

Certified Personal Trainer

American Council of Exericse

My Journey To Flexible Plant-Based Eating

I was in high school when I learned I had hypothyroidism and a gluten intolerance. I was taken to countless naturopathic & integrative medicine practitioners to learn how to navigate my chronic abdominal pain, unintentional weight gain, & extremely low energy levels. I was placed on a number of different elimination diets, including the Candida diet and a lifelong gluten-free diet. My path to restrictive dieting was born...

Fast forward to college and I let go of all food rules... until I realized that wasn't the solution either. My curiosity around how nutrition plays a role in our physical health grew and I invested the following years in pursuing an education in nutrition & dietetics (after finishing my original degree). I came across a documentary highlighting all the health benefits of plant-based eating, which verified my pursuit of restrictive eating patterns. I started eliminating animal-derived foods while also restricting calories since “calories in = calories out” was the norm, right? I was obsessed with eating “perfectly”.

Then, I entered the real world. I considered myself a “vegan” (while also still eating gluten-free) and spent all my free time meal prepping from scratch. I was constantly having stomach & bowel issues due to not eating enough food. I found myself bingeing bags of chips right before bed to meet my daily calorie quota. I was exhausted. I was stressed. I was unhappy.

My obsession with being “healthy” by means of a restrictive plant-based diet was ultimately unhealthy. I had to change things around, if not for myself, for the populations I was serving. I re-evaluated what “plant-based” meant to me. I was choosing to eat more plant foods to be healthier (and be more sustainable & kind to animals), but the way I was going about it was so stressful that it was actually hurting me.

I started adding some foods back in to see how they made me feel. I didn’t have any desire to eat meat or poultry and knew that dairy wasn’t my friend, but I learned that I truly enjoy egg dishes on occasion. Eating out and traveling became more enjoyable because I was willing to be more flexible with my choices. I stopped counting calories, started eating more, and began re-building trust with my body.

Redefining “plant-based” for my own values, making peace with convenience foods, and allowing food to be more than just fuel made eating plant-based so much more enjoyable and sustainable. Plant-based eating, for me, is a form of compassion for my body, the planet, and all living beings. I’m so glad I healed my relationship with food and I want that for you, too. As one of my clients once said, “there really is something freeing” about being able to confidently listen to your body.

Why "Chef Shannon Nutrition"?

Chef Shannon Nutrition was born due to my creative passion for culinary nutrition. Throughout my personal health journey, years of nutrition education, and experience in the corporate wellness space, I noticed a huge gap between knowledge and taking action.

It’s one thing to know about plant-based foods or how to look up plant-forward recipes, but it’s a whole other thing to be able to put those tools into place with your daily habits.

Building cooking confidence, experimenting in the kitchen, and simplifying the meal prep routine is truly what makes a plant-forward eating pattern sustainable (and less stressful). My goal is to help you have fun in the kitchen as you transition to a plant-based diet (without actually dieting) and gain the courage to create meals that make you feel good.

Let's Get Started

Free Discovery Call

Are you ready to make a change, but you’re not sure what to expect from nutrition coaching? Let’s chat in this FREE 20-minute call to find out if we’re a good fit for each other.

Grab Your Free Meal Plan

Looking for a little insight as to what it might look like to meal plan as a plant-based eater? This 5-Day Plant-Based Meal Plan will give you a snapshot of flexible plant-based eating with meal & snack ideas.

Connect on Instagram

Get to know me and what it looks like to eat plant-forward without dieting on Instagram. You’ll see daily content about Intuitive Eating, flexible plant-based nutrition, and compassionate encouragement for your journey.

What clients are saying...

"I recently finished Shannon’s 12-week Plant Based Food Freedom group and I am so glad I decided to go through this program. After working with Shannon through this, I had a complete mindset shift. She is so knowledgeable and goes through all the right steps to get you out of the diet culture mindset and teach you how to be intentional with your food and eat more plants! I now incorporate different plants into my meals and snacks to allow me to feel more satisfied with what I am eating. I also enjoyed connecting with other people during this journey. I would highly recommend working with Shannon."

Alyssa E.Plant Based Food Freedom Member

"I decided to work with Shannon because I was looking for a nutritionist to help me with some deficiencies caused by my vegetarian diet. When looking for a nutritionist, I wanted someone with a health-at-every-size approach who was non-judgmental, knowledgeable, and supportive. Shannon was wonderful to work with and fulfilled all my requirements. She was willing to work with me to modify my eating habits. Additionally, she gives individualized and personalized advice. I now feel like I stay full for longer, am more creative with snacking, and know how to sneak more B12 and iron into a vegetarian diet. She listens closely to her client's wants, needs, and fears, and I felt supported every step of the way. I would recommend Chef Shannon to anyone who feels confused about all the noise about diets and nutrition and is looking for an expert to help them parse out what foods and habits will work for them to achieve their food goals."

Louise F.1:1 Client

"It’s been a pleasure to have participated in the 12 week plant-based program. I have gained deep understanding of my eating habits (emotional eating) as well I have learned how to nourish my body. I enjoyed the live cooking lessons and the continuous support provided by Shannon. Cooking my way to bliss, one recipe at a time…"

Nina C.Plant Based Food Freedom Member

"Chef Shannon met me where I was without judgement, and held my hand through adding more food back into my diet and repairing my relationship with eating. As we progressed we built up more and more good eating habits and even started to implement an exercise routine - all while making strides towards my goal weight. After half a year working with Chef Shannon I eat more food than I did before, enjoy a wider variety in my diet, exercise regularly throughout the week, and have lost over 60 pounds."

Zachary B.1:1 Client

"Working with Shannon is like having a friend next to you all the way from the grocery store to the table. Her nutrition coaching goes beyond calories, diets or scales. She's focused on helping you repair your relationship with food for a happy and balanced life, for good. Chef Shannon makes food fun again!"

Julie B.1:1 Client

"I would always start a fitness challenge and attempt to set a strict diet, only to give up halfway through. I tried so many different programs. When I would start a program, I would try to set 5 or 6 goals all at once and get overwhelmed when I wouldn't achieve those goals... [Shannon] introduced me to new foods I've never tried before (and probably wouldn't have tried), tips in the kitchen, recipe inspo. More importantly, her meal component method has allowed me to better visualize a meal to assess if its meeting my body's needs as much as possible. She provides a judgement free zone and gives practical advice. [She] really simplified things and helped me set my intentions for the week ahead."

Cristina C.1:1 Client

"Shannon is very positive minded, patient, supportive and helped me stay focused to achieve the goals that I set. At the same time you feel committed, not pressured, to do what it takes. I personally can see and feel the results of being coached by Shannon. Much obliged! So thankful for our connection."

Tammy K.1:1 Client

"Shannon utilizes a thoughtful approach to nutrition by focusing on small, incremental changes that turn into healthy nutritional habits. This is by no means a diet, but rather Shannon takes the time to understand you and your individual circumstances while educating you on the benefits of specific nutritional changes. The new outlook I have on nutrition and my success in maintaining healthy choices is a direct result of the combination of nutritional education and increased nutritional awareness provided by Shannon!"

Andy S.1:1 Client

Ready to go from restriction to abundance as a plant-based eater? Ditch dieting and make peace with food & your body without sacrificing your health.