Nour Zibdeh, M.S., RDN
Registered Nutritionist & Dietitian
Nour Zibdeh is a functional and integrative dietitian and nutritionist, author, and speaker. She received a B.S. in Human Nutrition from Virginia Tech and an M.S. in Health Sciences from James Madison University. Zibdeh completed an internship program with Virginia Tech and is nationally registered as Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) with the commision on dietetic registration. She is a Certified LEAP Therapist (CLT) with special training on food sensitivity, and has completed several integrative and functional nutrition courses and trainings. She helps her patients with digestive disorders, thyroid and hormone imbalances, autoimmune diseases, food sensitivities, chronic fatigue, migraines and headaches, fibromyalgia and chronic pain uncover the root causes and teaches them what and how to eat to thrive. Zibdeh is the author of The Complete Acid Reflux Diet Plan: Easy Meal Plans and Recipes to Heal GERD and LRP and The Detox Way: Everyday Recipes to Feel Energized, Focused, and Physically and Mentally Empowered.
connect with Nour Zibdeh, M.S., RDN
Q&A
What is your wellness philosophy?
The body is one whole entity. All of its processes and pathways are beautifully delicate and harmonious. A small imbalance in one part will affect other parts. At the same time, a small step in the right direction can have a major impact on your physical and mental health. Don’t underestimate anything you do! Genes don’t write your story; wellness means that you get to write it with your own choices. Eating wholesome nourishing foods, moving your body, getting quality and quality of sleep, creating space for rest and recovery, not stressing about things you can’t control, changing your perspective, having a can-do positive mindset, and reducing chemical and toxin exposure are all aspects of being well. Wellness also means investing in healthy relationships, giving and receiving love, and showing compassion for others. To be well, find the root cause for your health challenges and build habits that support the body to heal and repair on its own. Wellness doesn't mean eating the perfect diet 100% of the time or exercising every day. It means making healthy choices most of the time and not stressing when you don't. Since I mostly focus on digestive health, wellness means being able to digest and absorb the nutrients you provide to your body. If your gut and immune system are healthy and strong, you don't have to follow a restrictive diet to be well and your body is stronger at weathering anything.
What brought you into wellness?
I’ve always had an interest in health, nutrition, and food and got my undergrad in conventional dietetics. However, when I started my practice, I realized that some of what I learned and some of what I was teaching did not benefit my health or my patients. That's when I started my journey to study functional and integrative nutrition. A lot of what I do now stemmed from curiosity about my own body and health and from being persistent about finding answers for people who needed my help.
What does You. We. All mean to you?
We don’t live alone. We’re not meant to thrive alone. We are social creatures. Surrounding yourself with others you care about and who care about you back is part of our human nature. There’s a beautiful balance between self-care and putting your health and mental and emotional needs first, and giving to others. One cannot take over the other. When we extend kindness to ourselves and others, we all rise together. Everyone is carrying some sort of burden or living a certain struggle. If we can lighten the load with our words and actions, the world just becomes a better place for everyone.
What gets you up in the morning?
Knowing that I can make a difference in at least 1 person’s life each and every day.
What’s your best piece of wellness advice?
Don’t stress about being perfect. Do your best and know that there’s higher power taking care of you.
