The expert: The Venezuelan-born RD based out of Australia specializes in diet design for metabolic syndrome, women's health and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), fat loss, binge eating, and creating a healthier relationship with food and overall well-being. Naranjo has been involved in the fitness industry since she was 12, but her all-or-nothing mentality at the time and being in this environment enabled an eating disorder, which got worse while she studied nutrition in college. Upon graduating and having already made a name for herself in Venezuela, Naranjo knew it was time for a change figuratively and literally. "When I moved to Australia I knew I was starting from scratch because I was a stranger there, and that external pressure was no longer there for me to look a certain way," she explains. "I started to reflect and started to understand the root of why I wanted to look a certain way and realized I had to change my mindset." Instead of being admired for her physique, she decided she wanted clients to turn to her as an expert who provides educational and valuable information.
Her anti-diet philosophy: "I am anti-dieting, but I am not anti–weight loss as long as there is purpose behind it," explains Naranjo. She says, "If you are a good health professional you can support clients in their fat-loss journey by educating them, working on behavior change, and having a better relationship with food and their body." She points out that desiring weight loss or changing your body composition doesn't automatically mean that you need to "go on a diet." Instead, she aims to teach basic nutritional tools and uses basic dietary guidelines with her clients.
"I teach my clients how to stop fearing foods, to incorporate all foods in their diet, and still keep their weight loss goals as long as they're appropriate, realistic, and achievable." She also asks clients the hard questions and helps them get rid of the restrictive mindset and to have neutral respect for their bodies. "A lot of people don't understand why they want to lose weight in the first place," says Naranjo. "They also let their weight tie into their identity, so once I help them work through this mental block, we move away from numbers and focus on a more intentional and informed approach to eating," she elaborates, adding, "There is no one right way to do things, and it's about learning the why behind your habits, and what is sustainable for you."
Fighting food shaming: Naranjo is against the 'good' versus 'bad' foods mentality. "All foods can fit into your diet! Food is not 'bad' and when you call it this, you give food all the power when you try to restrict it," she says. Instead, she believes you take the power back by stopping the fear and restriction of food, and learning how to incorporate all the foods you enjoy. She insists you don't have to 'eat clean' or be strict to see progress. "There are foods that have more sugar, fat, & calories, but that doesn't mean you can never eat them," she clarifies, adding, "It just means you have to eat a smaller portion size, play with your calorie budget, or, have them less often, and pair them with some nutrient-dense foods for balance."
Where to follow her: @antidiet_dietitian, @tucoach.nutricional
