Dunedin Diet Focuses on Local, Organic Eating

New Year's has come and gone, and for some, the promise to stick to those pesky resolutions has already faded. 

But a new service, founded by Dunedin resident and certified nutrition consultant Jennifer Cybulski, aims to get people back on track to eating healthier.

Whole Shift is a personalized, customized system designed to fit the needs of an individual. The program does not rely on counting calories, keeping track of points or making sudden, radical changes in your diet.

Dunedin Patch corresponded with Cybulski via email, and she related how her program works, what makes it different from other nutrition services, and how Whole Shift can change your life.

Explain the concept behind Whole Shift.

One of Whole Shift's main goals is to educate as many people as it can reach about what to put into their bodies. This is done by analyzing each client individually and creating a system for them. The system is designed to make slow shifts in their diet, and eventually they will be eating good and feeling good. Along the way, they will learn about which ingredients to avoid, so eventually they will have the knowledge of proper nutrition without the help of Whole Shift.

What makes Whole Shift different from other diet programs?

When doing research of other diet plans, I found many of them to have a one-size-fits-all plan. Whole Shift is completely customized to the individual. Other companies rely on point systems or counting calories. Whole Shift educates the client by recommending certain foods and ingredients to avoid, while increasing and possibly introducing new ones to include in their nutritional profile. Not many companies emphasize the importance of eating organically. Whole Shift believes everyone should eat locally and organically whenever possible.

How does Whole Shift work?

I recognize that each person has different needs and goals, which is why Whole Shift creates a customized nutrition system for each client based on holistic nutritional practices.

The customized nutrition system is basically a packet Whole Shift provides for the client after they complete the four-day journal (which has questions about food they currently eat, lifestyle, etc., which is how we can customize the packet for them).

When they receive the packet, they will begin the "system," which is, ideally, going to change the way they eat forever. There is no time period; it's a shift in thinking about what they are putting into their bodies, and Whole Shift is here to begin that process by educating them and putting them in the right direction for a lifestyle change.

If we find a client needs a cleanse or a certain supplement may be beneficial for a shorter period of time, then one of those particular situations would be time-sensitive. But overall, it is about shifting into a healthier nutritional profile for good.

How did you come up with the concept of Whole Shift?

After receiving my certification from Global College of Natural Medicine as a Nutritional Consultant, I founded Whole Shift to provide a nutritional consultation service. I have been professionally practicing nutrition consulting for a little over a year, but have been deeply involved in nutrition most of my life. I am trained in all aspects of nutrition and qualified to advise people on improving their health through diet and lifestyle modifications.

I originally started online to reach people nationally. Sort of a reverse of "think globally, act locally." I want people to think about purchasing their food locally whenever possible, and Whole Shift will act globally (or nationally) by providing clients the benefits of buying locally and organically.

For information on Whole Shift, visit the Whole Shift website.