Alanna McCoy Certified Nutritionist

Alanna's mission is to help people live a healthier lifestyle while still enjoying their favourite traditions and allowing food to bring joy. She talks to Sundried about a life in nutrition and shares her top tips.

Have you always been interested in health and nutrition? Tell us about your own health and fitness journey.

I have always been interested in health and fitness. I was an athlete in high school and went into college majoring in biology and exercise science. Once I got married and pregnant, the weight began to pile on and I realized how hard it was to focus on my health and nutrition while creating a family and maintaining a happy marriage. About three years ago, I started focusing on getting myself and my family healthy. After years of working in corporate America, I took the leap to truly follow my passion once again.

What made you decide to become a certified nutritionist?

I love food and I realized that in life and in culture, important moments often center around food. Learning to teach people how to navigate food without giving up traditions and great life experiences was a natural fit. Plus, you can't out-exercise a bad diet!

What has been the most eye-opening thing you have learnt since becoming a nutritionist?

How much misinformation and negative vibes are out there regarding food.

What are the most common myths you would like to debunk about nutrition?

That you cannot eat healthy and "live life" and that there's only one right way to eat.

Do you follow a specific diet yourself? If so, what do you eat and why?

I try to stick to mostly whole foods and vegetables and I avoid dairy – I love it but my stomach does not. 

What advice would you give to people to help improve their nutrition?

Start small! We often get excited about change and come up with this huge elaborate plan that we can't maintain once the excitement and motivation wear off. Start by making a small change like adding vegetables to every meal or drinking 8 glasses of water a day.

What are your favourite foods and why?

I love eggs and I eat them pretty much every day. They are a great source of protein, Vitamin B2, selenium, and Vitamin D.

Why work with Sundried?

I bought my first Sundried product in 2019 and the customer service was superb, along with the fact that the products are eco-friendly and reasonably priced. I knew Sundried would be a good fit as I build a career and life centered around holistic wellness.