The extra help we needed
I first started following Dionne on Facebook because I am interested in anti-inflammatory eating. I liked that she was sharing the evidence for what she was recommending, and enjoyed making several of her recipes. Little did I know that I… would be reaching out to Dionne for support when my partner was suddenly diagnosed with cancer. A lot of the treatment for cancer is in the hands of the oncology team, and we trust them to do their job. But we wanted to do whatever we could to help the surgery and chemotherapy along, and paying extra attention to nutrition just makes sense. We had been eating a fairly healthy diet, but with a cancer diagnosis and treatment, there are particular foods and approaches that are recommended. Dionne was able to guide us quickly to what we needed to be doing, and made us feel that we could make good choices about things within our control – our food! There is a lot of information out there, and not all of it is based on science. Dionne is able to provide the background for her recommendations and that gives us comfort that we are doing the right things. She is also able to quickly adjust what is needed, based on the stage of treatment and what the symptoms are. I feel that having Dionne in our corner is helping us get through this challenging experience with cancer, by managing symptoms and maintaining good health. As the partner of someone with cancer, Dionne has really helped me know that I am doing my best in this support role. I highly recommend the Rustic Dietitian to anyone who is going through cancer treatment (and partners too!) Read more “The extra help we needed”
Eating is a new adventure now
I was given Dionne’s name from a friend who’s sister has the same autoimmune disorder as me; which is called CREST. Having various symptoms for years, that I have just lived with, not knowing diet could make the disorder more… manageable. In the last 2 years my digestion and acid reflex have become my nemesis. Being able to control both has made my life so much more manageable and enjoyable. Understanding what you eat is just as important as what not to eat. We’ve all been told what not to eat a million times. I have had such bad eating habits I really didn’t know what to eat. Dionne has made eating a new adventure. My needs were not an immediate fix for losing weight. Weight loss is just a benefit of the changes you make in your diet. Dionne does not preach. You work with goals that you know will be to your benefit. Read more “Eating is a new adventure now”
I’ve lost 20 lbs and am no longer pre-diabetic
I have known Dionne for many years and was awed by her knowledge and love of nutrition and diet and how foods and spices can help heal the body and her love and compassion for her clients. When I faced… my own health challenges I immediately thought of Dionne. I have worked with her on and off for the past nine years. I had some weight issues but what was of more concern was that I was pre-diabetic, had a fatty liver, gall bladder disease, and chronic inflammation. Dionne educated me on these conditions and put me on an anti-inflammatory diet. She helped me with meal plans and with my intense cravings for sugar. I wasn’t always compliant in the beginning but she was always patient and supportive and got me through those tough times with compassion and humor and offering successful ways to deal with my challenges. I have lost 20 pounds and am no longer pre-diabetic, my cholesterol and liver levels are normal. I feel so much better about myself. I would recommend Dionne to anyone facing a health challenge. She is one of the smartest and kindest people I have ever met. I swear there is nothing she does not know about nutrition and how it can heal the body and mind. I trust her with my family. She also worked with my son and daughter-in-law when facing some challenges with their daughter’s eating issues. Read more “I’ve lost 20 lbs and am no longer pre-diabetic”
A game changer for my practice
My name is Dr. Jennifer Ashby, DAOM. I am an acupuncturist who has been in practice for 21 years. I worked with Dionne Detraz at UCSF Osher Center of Integrative Medicine and I also currently refer to her from my… private practice. Dionne has been a life-saver when it comes to navigating the dietary needs of my patients very complex needs. She is able to analyze and direct patients so that they can succeed and follow the arranged plan. I find working with her very unique because although she is a dietitian, she is also a whole food nutritionist who views eating as a lifestyle to optimize health, as opposed to just making sure you are getting the nutritional requirements needed. She is well versed in medicine and the intricate needs of the multitude of diagnoses I send to her including but not limited to: cancer, gastrointestinal disorders, women’s health at all stages, fertility and hormonal imbalances, chronic inflammation, emotional imbalances and food as it relates to trauma recovery. The feedback I have received from our shared patients has been overwhelmingly positive. They rave about her clinical approach and her easy demeanor. She is very approachable and easily accessible, which patients have said makes the whole experience enjoyable and not overwhelming. Her blogs support many patients with ideas for preparing the foods they have been directed to eat. Working with Dionne has taken the work out of doing tons of research to support my patient’s dietary needs on my own. Being able to refer them to someone who I know will meet them where they are and steer them toward healthier and more balanced eating that is also tailored to their specific diagnosis, has been a game changer for my practice. Read more “A game changer for my practice”
Almost immediately I saw positive changes
I am a registered dietitian, and Dionne was my co-worker before her move to France. After being diagnosed with arthritis last year, I consulted Dionne about diet changes. I knew that her knowledge of complimentary and alternative nutrition strategies was… much more extensive than my own. She suggested that I try eliminating gluten and dairy for three months, which I rather reluctantly did. I was surprised to find that I felt better physically. And almost immediately, I saw positive changes in my skin. I have continued to avoid gluten and dairy for almost a year now, and intend to continue. I really appreciate Dionne’s expertise and her ability to integrate both traditional and alternative nutrition therapies. Also her website and recipes are a continual source of new ideas and inspiration. I have recommended Dionne to many friends and family members, and will continue to do so. Read more “Almost immediately I saw positive changes”
Life changing
Hi Dionne, thank you! I had another incremental shift on the scale. Very happy to see it heading in the downward direction again. It has really been life changing to work with you and get my nutrition dialed in. I… can’t say enough great things. My energy level is improved, I’m losing weight and I don’t feel at all deprived. Plus my sweet tooth has finally been subdued! Read more “Life changing”
She put together a fun and easy to follow program
We got in contact with Dionne last year. We sort of knew what we should be eating and what we should be avoiding but were stuck coordinating a proper eating regime. Dionne listened to our issues (our aches, pains, and… challenges) and put together a simple program for us. It was fun and easy to do and we learned a lot. We recommend Dionne to anyone who is considering working with a nutritionist. She is wise, knowledgeable, upbeat, kind, and very supportive. Recently we completed her free “7 Day Detox” that she created and offered online. We ate well, were never hungry, and felt great as a result. Dionne, you are the best! Read more “She put together a fun and easy to follow program”
Simple plan, no more guess work
I found Dionne’s website when I was searching for meal planning for my husband. He was recently diagnosed with cancer, and I was very confused with how to go about selecting foods with the myriad of eating plans out there… (ketogenic, macrobiotic, paleo, Zone, anti-cancer, whole foods, raw food, etc.). I was becoming overwhelmed and my husband was losing weight, not quite sure knowing what or what not to eat. Dionne’s meal planning is simple, straight forward, and takes the guess work out of what to eat. Her meal plans combine the best of those out there, is balanced, and take into account anti-inflammatory principles so important for cancer. Plus it’s working! My husband’s weight has stabilized, and he looks forward to eating with the varied selections available. Read more “Simple plan, no more guess work”
I lost more than 40 lbs & have less joint pain
I sought help after being overweight for many years and suffering from an old knee injury. I knew I needed to lose weight but also realized that I would need help after years of trying on my own and going… up and down, with more ups than downs. A doctor recommended Dionne and I am glad he did. She was able to help me lose more than 40 pounds and helped in other ways too – I lowered inflammation, my joint pain improved, and even some of my blood work has gotten better. Dionne listens, asks questions, and motivates me in a positive way. Working with her I have been able to change habits and make lifestyle changes that I can actually sustain. Read more “I lost more than 40 lbs & have less joint pain”
Outstanding advice and support
My name is Anand Dhruva, MD. I am an Integrative Oncologist and Ayurvedic Practitioner at UCSF Osher Center and have been in practice for almost 20 years. Nutrition is a critical component to Ayurvedic medicine and to the work that… I do in Oncology. Although I can tell patients what I would like them to do with their diet it is difficult for me to find the time to provide the follow-up they need to be successful. By referring to Dionne I know that my patients will get outstanding advice from her on how to implement dietary recommendations. Our shared patients routinely tell me how much they like working with Dionne, how supportive she is, and what great ideas she has about diet plans and implementing dietary strategies. Without hesitation, I would recommend adding Dionne to your health care team. Read more “Outstanding advice and support”
Wonderful to work with
My name is Sanford Newmark, MD. I am an Integrative Pediatrician, Head of the UCSF Pediatric Integrative Neurodevelopmental Program, and Director of Clinical Programs at UCSF Osher Center. I have been in practice for 30 years. Diet, supplements, and a… family’s relationship around food are essential components in the work that I do with Autism and ADHD. Dionne has helped me make this a more robust piece of the counseling that I offer families. She has developed handouts and meal plans for my patients and is available to coach and follow-up with families as long as needed for them to be successful. For families who are overwhelmed with the level of dietary change suggested, Dionne makes it less stressful and more practical for them to adopt. I know that with Dionne’s guidance they will be much more likely to be successful in applying the dietary strategies we discussed. Our shared patients routinely tell me that Dionne is absolutely wonderful to work with. Without hesitation, I would recommend adding Dionne to your health care team.” Read more “Wonderful to work with”
I feel so much better now
I was trying to fix a really hard issue with my digestion. I had done several medical tests and everything was showing inflammation in my duodenum plus a severe gastritis. I tried different treatments without really fixing the issue. A… couple of weeks of improvement and then back to the nightmare. I started seeing an acupuncturist and she recommended I reach out to Dionne. Working together I realized that the issue was not in my stomach or duodenum but in my diet. I needed to completely change my lifestyle; start exercising and eating differently. Within a couple of months I really noticed the difference. Not only do I feel so much better now, I also have the tools to keep my digestion happier. I totally suggest making an appointment with her. Talking and sharing my experiences with her, she was really able to understand my problem, and teach me how to find my balance. It has been a great experience and now after several months I am still doing great. Read more “I feel so much better now”
She helped me reach my goals
I first started working with Dionne when I had lost a large amount of weight through cancer-related complications. I did not know how to implement the recommendations that the dietitian at the hospital had made. He suggested many small meals,… but I did not know what to put in a small meal or how frequently I should eat. I found Dionne and she translated what I needed into very practical specific suggestions. Also, I was sticking to a special diet related to some other health concerns. Dionne was able to layer my current diet on top of her suggestions for gaining weight. I was able to keep the core part of my special diet while also gaining weight. Dionne really wants feedback. She is very flexible about making changes so that I can further reach my goals and needs. I would recommend Dionne because she tailors her suggestions to the client’s needs and is very enjoyable to work with. She helped me reach my goals after I had lost so much weight on two different occasions due to two different situations. Read more “She helped me reach my goals”
Knowledgeable and dedicated
Dionne is a consummate professional who is extremely knowledgeable in Nutrition. I always find incredible results when I follow exactly what she says to do. She is a pleasure to work with as she is dedicated to you and your… issues. Read more “Knowledgeable and dedicated”
Within just 1 month I felt a difference
Dionne’s mother is a client of mine and several years ago she shared her blog with me. I loved what she had to say. She spoke my language and although I consider myself an 80% perfect eater, I knew she… had more good knowledge that I could benefit from. My chronic back pain has no explanation from X-rays and MRI’s so we blame it on good old inflammation. With some tweaking to my diet and within just 1 month I felt a difference! Dionne is lovely to talk to and I am constantly encouraged and reminded by her blog to do my best when it comes to consumption of food! I tell all my friends about her and love having her as an influence on my family’s long term health. Read more “Within just 1 month I felt a difference”
Thorough and supportive
Dionne really takes the time to understand what is going on with each individual person and meet their needs. She is extremely knowledgeable and has easy ways to incorporate dietary changes into a person’s lifestyle. She considers all aspects of… nutrition from caloric needs, to nutritional benefits of foods, taking into account sensitivities, allergens, toxins, and medical conditions that can complicate food intake. Mostly, Dionne is always there as a support and cheerleader for when it gets tough to maintain or figure out the next steps. I happily refer all my friends and clients to her! Read more “Thorough and supportive”
Get ready to be inspired and supported
When I first contacted Dionne, I was at my wit’s end. I had tried just about every eating regimen over the past 30 years (vegetarian, vegan, raw, low-fat/high carb, high-fat/low carb, pescatarian, auto-immune) and ended up developing a skin rash… after being on an autoimmune diet for two months and diving back into “regular food” (gluten, sugar, and other inflammatory foods) without any care. I thought at first it was an allergic reaction to cashews, but food allergy testing showed I wasn’t allergic to anything. Long story short, after four months of this mysterious rash, my revered acupuncturist recommended I consult with Dionne. I was already well versed in a variety of nutritional theory and practice, and though I had worked with a few other nutritionists in the past, I was dismayed by their mainstream approach to food. They invariably recommended following the USDA Food Pyramid and had nothing more ground-breaking to offer. I felt like I knew more than they did, which did not give me confidence in their advice. Not only that, but when I saw a “heart healthy menu” in a hospital offered waffles and sugar-free maple syrup for breakfast I realized that a lot of the nutritionists “in charge” are out to lunch! My acupuncturist assured me that Dionne was different and she was right. From our first conversation, Dionne was vibrantly engaged with my story and was realistic about a path moving forward. She validated my viewpoints and supported my individuality. She was not taking a one-size-fit-all approach and she was insightful and adept. If I told her I wasn’t ready to do XYZ, she respected that and offered me solutions I was willing to try. Dionne’s goal was to help me find a way I could say “yes” to experimenting with some of my eating habits so that I could feel better. Additionally, soon after we started talking, it became clear there were many deeply ingrained voices in my head about what and how I should eat. It unexpectedly became emotional for me to unpack all that food clutter in my psyche! However, like a skilled therapist, Dionne was right there, helping me feel better about something I wasn’t even aware was weighing me down and keeping me from relishing natural foods like a gorgeously ripe peach. (“Too much sugar! Too many carbs!” I cried out.) After following Dionne’s pragmatic suggestions for one month, I noticed myself having more energy. My skin started getting better and I felt more at peace within myself as well since I was able to quiet a lot of those old, nagging, fear-based voices. I definitely recommend Dionne to anyone who is ready to be inspired and supported by her down-to-earth approach to wellness through eating real food that nourishes the body and soul. Read more “Get ready to be inspired and supported”
I can count on her!
I was diagnosed with breast cancer in April 2016. Luckily it was a non-metastasized cancer, so I only had to go through surgery to remove the tumor. No chemotherapy, no radiation. But I was advised to take an estrogen-blocking drug… that I did not want to take because, among many side effects, it would aggravate my already existing osteoporosis. I learned that UCSF is working with a center for integrative medicine. There, nutrition plays a big part of the treatment and I was given some important advice like eliminate sugar and greasy food, and eat a lot of phytoestrogens. But after a few months of this strict diet, I felt that I was losing too much weight and I was weak. I needed to speak to a nutritionist. I was then advised to contact Dionne. She explained that I was not eating enough protein and helped me modify my diet. The result was immediate and I gained enough weight to feel strong again. She had reassured me. Dionne is a very warm and caring person. I felt very comfortable with her. She is very knowledgeable in the area that is so important for me right now. She has great recipes on her blog and keeps in touch with me regularly. I can count on her! Read more “I can count on her!”
