Name, where you’re from, and where you’re currently going to school

My name is Diana Williams, I’m from Wellfleet, Massachusetts, and I am a junior at the University of Vermont studying Dietetics.

What inspired you to want to pursue a career path as a dietitian?

For most of my childhood, I struggled with mysterious digestive issues that were triggered by seemingly everything I ate. In high school, my stomach pain became so severe I went to see a gastroenterologist and she diagnosed me with Irritable Bowel Syndrome, or IBS. I was referred to a dietitian who helped me identify what was causing my intestinal pain. After three months, I discovered that my body is sensitive to Fructans, an oligosaccharide present in foods like apples, garlic, and onions. With that newfound knowledge came a sense of freedom from the unexplainable pain. The whole process fascinated me, and I decided I wanted to help others struggling with food as a Registered Dietitian.

How did you get interested in intuitive eating and HAES?

Dr. Lizzy Pope introduced me to intuitive eating and HAES during my freshman year at UVM, when I took Fundamentals of Nutrition with her. She discussed her experience being trained as a weight normative dietitian, and how she later realized that system was fatally flawed. Dr. Pope debunked a lot of nutrition facts I held as principles of being healthy, and that fascinated me. After that class, I realized that nutrition was much more nuanced than I originally thought, which captured my attention. As a junior dietetics student, I follow weight inclusive dietitians on social media and listen to other sources who prove diet culture wrong, like the Maintenance Phase podcast. During my work with Leah this semester, I hope to learn much more about what it’s like to teach clients about intuitive eating.

What do you see yourself doing in your future career as an RD?

As an RD, I can see myself working for a hospital or a private practice, helping people overcome their unique challenges around food. I want to work one-on-one with clients to get a sense of the barriers they face between them and a good relationship with food. I hope to help people see that food can be healing, even life changing. Specifically, I want to work with people who may have IBS or IBD to show them how to work with their bodies instead of against it.

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

I enjoy being active by doing pilates or going for walks outdoors. Moving my body is a great form of stress relief and I find it very grounding. I also like reading, listening to music, and watching movies with my friends. Otherwise, I love exploring new places, and during long weekends you can find me roaming the streets of Montreal or trying out a new cafe.

What are some things that make your heart happy?

Swimming makes my heart happy, whether it’s in Lake Champlain, the ocean, a swimming hole, or a pond. It’s a great way to connect with nature and spend quality time with my loved ones. My cat, Melody, also brings me so much joy, even if it’s through pictures my parents send me.

Your favorite part about the anti-diet/ intuitive eating approach to nutrition?

My favorite part about the anti-diet approach to nutrition is how inclusive and welcoming it feels. Popular media can make it seem like what you eat and what you look like is everything there is to life. Food can feel constricting, challenging, and anxiety inducing. Intuitive eating seeks to find you in your body again by listening to its cravings and respecting hunger cues. It is accepting of all body types and gives everyone a chance to be their happiest and healthiest.