Overall Food Philosophy:
What you eat matters. Food is not simply fuel. We are not cars. We are spiritual beings who crave union with one another and with the Universe. Eating represents our most profound interaction with nature. The contemporary food supply has taken us away from synchronicity with nature. We believe in eating food that is closest to the state intended by our Creator. We believe that eating minimally processed food is one element in achieving and maintaining an awakening that will revolutionize our whole attitude towards life. By staying well-fed and well-nourished with real food, it is possible to reclaim the quality of life that we all deserve. We are sure that we were intended to be happy, joyous, and free.
Message for Binge Eating Disorder (BED) Clients:
All foods do not always fit for all people. A calorie is not a calorie. Food represents complex information that we send to our brain and bodies on a daily basis. Food that is engineered for excess consumption can reprogram us for loss of control. It is not your fault that convenience foods have hijacked your brain, but it is your responsibility to recover. For many, a food plan that is free of refined grains, added sugars, and fried food is critical to getting back in touch with hunger/fullness and into a position of neutrality/safety. You never have to binge again. For others, learning how to strategically include these foods is the key to making peace with food. We will help you figure that out. There is a wide range of nutritional approaches that work for a wide range of people.
Our goal is to talk with you about food and nutrition in a way that no one has ever done before. Together we will bypass all of the confusing messages and return to the essence! You will receive guiding principles to take with you on your journey back into the stream of life. Set aside everything you think you know about recovery, and have an open-mind for a new experience. Change is a process, definitely not an event. So let’s start the process together!
Message for Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Clients:
Addiction and alcoholism represent dysfunction of brain chemistry. Once an addict, the brain is programmed to seek highly rewarding substances. Food is a substance that is frequently abused in early recovery. By limiting exposure to addictive foods, it becomes possible for the brain to heal. By engaging in addictive eating, the cycle of addiction perpetuates and can even worsen. Too often individuals in early recovery will attempt to use food to numb the pains and uncertainties associated with being sober. We want to break the cycle and expose you to a different way of living that is centered on self-care rather than self-harm. We believe in eating foods that will love us back, not set us up for failure. We need lots of protein, lots of fiber, and lots of antioxidants in early recovery! It is very difficult to change our eating patterns in early recovery, but there is no better time than right now. Don’t leave before the miracle happens! We have created an environment of safety where we can finally address the physical imbalances that continue to plague us. We invite you to become curious about the world of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, protein, beans, nuts, and seeds. We want to create balance and nourishment so that recovery can begin. Eventually, we want you to create your own food philosophy that resonates with you!
David Wiss
David became a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) in 2013 and founded Nutrition in Recovery, a group practice of RDNs specializing in treating eating and substance use disorders. In 2017, David received the “Excellence in Practice” award at the National Food and Nutrition Conference and Expo. The California Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics awarded him the “Emerging Dietetic Leader Award” in 2020. He earned his Ph.D. from UCLA’s Fielding School of Public Health in the Community Health Sciences department (with a minor in Health Psychology) by investigating the links between adverse childhood experiences and various mental health outcomes among socially disadvantaged men. His treatment philosophy is based on a biopsychosocial model which incorporates an understanding of biological mechanisms, psychological underpinnings, and contextual factors that integrate the social determinants of health. Wise Mind Nutrition's website offers a fully online interactive treatment program in Spring 2023.