with Registered Dietitian Laura Downer
Get to know Laura
Whether you're here for yourself or your child, you're in the right place if you're looking for a dietitian that can bring simplicity and peace of mind back to eating.
Credentials:
Bachelor's of science in nutrition, University of Arkansas (woo pig!)
Registered Dietitian, Vanderbilt University Medical Center Dietetic Internship
Experience:
Maternal & Infant Nutrition + Clinic Management, Nashville Metro's Mobile WIC Clinic
Nutrition Education & Advocacy for Latinx Families, Vanderbilt University Medical Center Heerman Lab (Pediatric Health Research)
IBS Management + Low FODMAP Diet, completed training with Monash University
Countless hours of continued education, 1:1 nutrition counseling
outside of wearing the dietitian hat: also being a human that eats and inhabits a body
From conception to early childhood, through picky eating phases that feel like they'll never end, or digestive discomfort that seems to interrupt everything, I've met my clients where they are at and saw them through to the other side to meet their health goals.
Approach to Care
I consider you the expert on yourself or your child. Consider me the nutrition expert. In our sessions, we'll share our combined expertise to create habits that are sustainable, enjoyable, and uniquely tailored to you. We'll ditch the one-size-fits-all unsustainable "solutions," fad diets, and quick fixes to create lasting habits that you're genuinely excited about.
Gone are the days of spending more time in the waiting room than face to face with your provider. In our 30-55 minute appointments, I take time to listen to your goals and to what progress looks and feels like from your perspective. It's your goals, your symptoms, and your definition of progress that guides your care.
For those with chronic digestive discomfort, I've been there. Finding the right treatment for your symptoms can feel like a shot in the dark--often an expensive and confusing one. I'm here to expedite the process and provide clear, effective treatment strategies so that you're back to feeling your best (physically and mentally!) as soon as possible.
I provide evidence-based, Medical Nutrition Therapy that's backed by research and delivered through a holistic, individualized, and relational lens.
What about weight? I practice a weight neutral approach to care, treating it as a symptom or side effect of your holistic wellness. We can incorporate weight as much or as little as you desire in your care.
It's my goal to make eating a simple and enjoyable experience for everyone through all of life's stages.
“Laura creates a space where I feel empowered to make sustainable changes. Her guidance is not just about nutrition but also fostering a healthier mindset, and I truly appreciate her compassionate and personalized approach.”
- Jess
Where it all began
Spending a season during undergrad in a children's hospital in Valparaiso, Chile opened my eyes to the direct effect maternal health has on newborns. Working with a dedicated and diverse healthcare team to reverse some of those negative effects inspired me to become an advocate for those who may not always have what they need to advocate for themselves. Through education, compassion, and empowerment, I equip my clients with the tools they need for the health they deserve.
Living in Chile also paved the way for me to learn Spanish. Becoming a fluent Spanish-speaker has opened up many opportunities to be an advocate for those who have limited access to healthcare. Making nutrition care accessible for all is a core value of mine, and the heart behind Buena Nutrition.
¿Hablas español? ¿Conoces a alguien que se beneficiaría de la atención nutricional? Ve mi pestaña "Español"
Offline
Outside of work, it's highly likely that I'm out rock climbing, skiing, or biking with my husband. We met at the climbing gym in Nashville and after unsuccessfully trying to set up our roommates, began climbing together and shortly after started dating. Now we live on the Colorado Front Range where all of our most favorite activities are available right outside our door. When we're able to get away for a vacation, we gravitate towards Central & South America where climbing is rich and the culture even richer! On a rainy day back in the states, you can find me nerding out over sourdough fermentations, embroidering, or snuggling my cat, Stitch.
El Chaltén, Patagonia
Rocky Mountain National Park