‘Jenerally’ speaking on the importance of nutrition in wellness
Published:Wednesday | April 27, 2022 | 12:07 AMKrysta Anderson / - Staff reporter
When it comes to achieving wellness, fitness may seem to have a leg up on eating habits, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. For professionals like nutrition coach Jenelle Longinius, knowing your status in the gastronomic department and challenging bad choices puts you on a positive path to good health.
“There is a special joy one feels when people are healthier, feeling and looking better,” Longinius told The Gleaner. The entrepreneur created Jenerally Nutrition last year during the global pandemic out of a desire to offer dietary and nutrition help to those who need it the most.
The coach always had a keen interest in food and nutrition. She found the theoretical aspect so fascinating that she developed a pure love for the science behind it all. For her, fitness came into play shortly after as she is a firm believer in striking the right body balance and finding health harmony, all while setting a good example of putting what she preaches into practice.
Longinius graduated from the University of Technology with a Bachelor of Science degree in Dietetics and Nutrition. “I have been a nutrition adviser since college but officially launched this business in September of 2021. We offer individual and couples nutrition counselling, nutrition coaching, digestive health, weight management, and nutrition education presentations,” she highlighted.
Business, so far, has presented its fair share of hurdles but her athleticism runs in high gear with positive feedback. Thriving on being at every step of her clients’ journey, no question is too simple and she is available at all times to address any issues.
“The first step is to gather as much lifestyle and health information as I can, including medical history and what their long-term and short-term goals are. From there I create a plan of action that I share with the client,” the professional shared, adding that each plan caters to the specific needs of the clients.
A grey area in this fitness field is trying to navigate around the influence and impact of social media. “I constantly have to dispel myths my clients come with, from social media influencers or personal trainers.” The truth is, any fast weight-loss scheme will make its rounds. But this nutrition coach is here to bring them back to the basics and to educate them.
“I emphasise education. I let my audience be aware of the serious implications of these schemes and fads. I also provide an avenue for them to receive information from an accredited source through my counselling sessions,” she added.
Her favourite to date: a pair of adorable premature twins. “They were having serious gastrointestinal issues and I worked assiduously along with their paediatrician to get them to full health. I’m happy to report the twins are thriving and doing exceedingly well.”
Making nutrition suggestions and solutions which are appropriate for her Caribbean clientele, the nutrition coach hopes to help as many people as she can make the right decisions about their nutritional status. “A healthy lifestyle is a marathon, not a sprint. I don’t get it right all the time, I’m human after all, lol. But there’s always tomorrow to get back on track,” Longinius said.