Jess Kasriel

My interest in nutrition began 15 years ago as a former professional tennis player, when it became apparent how important nutrition had a role on not only sports performance but also physical and mental health.  I went on to obtain a BA in Psychology from Rice University in Houston, Texas, where I was granted a full tennis and academic scholarship for five years. I had the opportunity of undergoing a Health Internship at The Texas Children & Adolescent Hospital in the Eating Disorder Unit, under the supervision of Dietician, Dr Roberta Anding. It was here my passion for nutrition and eating disorders grew and I knew I wanted to follow the footsteps of Dr Anding and continue to help people with disordered eating and mental health struggles.

I further developed my specialism in eating disorders by undergoing a Masters of Science in Eating Disorders and Clinical Nutrition at UCL, training as a Master Practitioner in Eating Disorders at NCFED and studying Nutritional Therapy for three years at CNM. I have also had experience working at The Maudsley and as a Nutritional Therapist at The Recover Clinic based in Soho.

I have such joy supporting and educating clients on the importance of nutrition and the mind-body connection. I work mainly with clients with eating disorders and disordered eating (see below for classic symptoms). Most clients are scared of certain food groups, have a very limited diet and may use compensatory behaviours such as bingeing, purging or under/overexercising, which are so often initiated or followed by guilt-ridden thoughts. The negative beliefs around food and body can be so strong that it can feel like there is no way out. I create bespoke meal plans for clients which are built around their ’safe foods’ with a plan to work towards weekly food challenges to help them overcome any fear around food. I work holistically with the aim to help clients neutralise their relationship with exercise and food so they no longer feel they have to workout in a certain way and there is no longer the label of ‘good’ and ‘bad’ foods. My aim is to help them achieve a balanced and nourishing way of eating which serves their mind and body.

I have been a member of the TRC team since 2015; I wholeheartedly love being part of such a wonderful, inspiring group of individuals whom have helped many amazing people over the years.

Main characteristics of disordered eating:

• Calorie counting and measuring food obsessively
• Having strict rules around eating
• Quick weight gain or loss
• Avoiding social activities with food
• Limiting the amount of food you eat
• ‘Clean eating’ or engaging in regular fasts or detoxes
• Feeling tired, dizzy or cold most of the time
• Irregular periods or loss of period
• IBS symptoms and other digestive problems
• Finding yourself obsessing about what you eat or your body most of the time
• Trying to change your weight through self harming behaviours such as excessive exercise, diet pills, vomiting or laxative use
• Repeatedly cooking/baking for others and not eating the food
• Not permitting others to cook for you
• Eating when not hungry, overconsuming without loss of control, frequent grazing and erratic eating patterns e.g. skipping meals or irregular meal times
• Decreased concentration and slower thought process
• Poor sleep
• Low mood/mood swings

My definition of a healthy relationship with food & body: 

• A varied and balanced diet which includes ‘fun foods’
• Flexibility with food choices, timing
• Eating with others
• Allowing others to cook for you
• Regular eating
• Ability to attune to hunger and fullness signals and be able to tolerate differing levels of fullness
• Freedom from obsession and guilt around food and a relatively neutral approach around foods
• Find eating pleasurable and satiating
• Exercising for mental health and the enjoyment of it; never feeling you have to work out, listening to the body and allowing rest days
• Maintaining a body weight within a ‘healthy range’ for your body where periods are regular
• Good amount of sleep, energy and concentration on most days
• Regular bowel movements with minimal digestive issues