Our Registered Dietitian Calgary & Online Nutritionist Team

Andrea Holwegner, BSc, RD The Chocoholic Nutritionist^TM
CEO (Chief Energy Officer), Online Course Facilitator & Professional Speaker

Pronouns: She/Her

Andrea Holwegner is the energetic founder and CEO of Health Stand Nutrition Consulting Inc. established in 2000. Her mission is to empower people to create a healthy and joyous relationship with food and their body.

She has counseled thousands of individuals and groups, including Olympic athletes, CEOs and employees in all different types of industries. She is also known as the chocoholic nutritionist, believing anyone can achieve health without guilt or complexity, and that the secret to success is having fun.

She leads a team of experienced dietitians that help busy families with meal planning success, weight concerns, eating disorders, digestive issues, sports nutrition, heart health, diabetes and more.

Andrea is the creator of a one-of-a-kind online nutrition program The Pursuit of Healthiness^TM that focuses on helping busy people and time-strapped employees in companies achieve better health, meal planning success and move towards their personal best weight.

Andrea is one of a handful of Registered Dietitians in North America who are qualified professional speakers. She knows how to deliver relevant content mixed with humor and fun, capturing corporate, association and government audiences with a buzz that’s better than caffeine! Her simple ideas elevate productivity, work-life balance and health in a wide range of corporate, government and association audiences.

Andrea is a regular guest in the media and has been an on-air expert for Global Calgary Morning News, Breakfast Television, CTV Morning News, QR77 Radio and CBC News. She has written for the Calgary Herald newspaper and has been interviewed by CBC Radio in almost every province in Canada.

As a consultant on health trends and spokesperson for the food, grocery and restaurant industry, companies such as the healthy smoothie franchise Jugo Juice work and AG/Buy-Low Foods work with Andrea for her understanding of health-conscious consumers and to enhance credibility of marketing initiatives. Andrea is also the nutrition consultant for Brightpath Early Learning Inc., a publicly-traded company and leader in Canadian childcare.

Packed with knowledge, Andrea has/is:

• A Bachelor of Science degree in Nutrition & Food Sciences and Dietetic Internship from the University of Alberta.
• A certified Craving Change™ expert specializing in strategies for problematic and emotional eating
• A member of the Dietitians of Canada, the College of Dietitians of Alberta, the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers and the Global Speakers Federation
• A member of the Employee Health Insurance Advisory Committee and Private Practice Interest Group for the Dietitians of Canada
• Recipient of a regional award by the Dietitians of Canada: The Speaking of Food & Healthy Living Award for Excellence in Consumer Education.

In her spare time, Andrea enjoys skiing and mountain biking in the Canadian Rockies. As a foodie she also adores sipping wine with her husband over a delicious meal. Most of all, she loves being a mom and playing in the dirt in the vegetable garden she grows with her son.

Download Andrea Holwegner’s Bio:

• Full bio: PDF | Word Document
• Short bio:  PDF | Word Document
• Author box for articles: PDF | Word Document

Jana Spindler, BSc, RD Registered Dietitian & Online Nutritionist 
Specialty: Disordered Eating, Emotional Eating, Mental Health & Sports Nutrition

Pronouns: She/Her

Fitness enthusiast and lover of all things food, Jana is passionate about helping her clients improve their relationship with food and their body. She is a strong, motivational leader.  Jana also offers the balance of a warm, supportive coaching style to nudge her clients from their comfort zone while feeling safe and supported.

Originally from a small town in Nova Scotia, Jana grew up cooking hearty comfort food in the family kitchen and playing any sport she could. Jana moved to the Prairies to study Mechanical Engineering and to play competitive basketball for the University of Saskatchewan. After studying nutrition on the side for some time, she decided to make the switch from engineering and dive into the field of nutrition.

As a high-level athlete, Jana saw firsthand the impact that nutrition can have on sports performance. She tweaked her own nutrition and saw great benefits in her achievements, strength and recovery time. This further sparked her interest in nutrition and learning as much as she could about sports nutrition for athletes and recreational fitness enthusiasts in the gym.

She has experience working in a range of environments including general nutrition and heart health education as a clinical dietitian for neuro-rehab patients.  She has also provided nutrition counselling for clients of a personal training facility and worked as a family educator in a childhood obesity prevention program.

As her career progressed, Jana has developed a niche in working with recovering yo-yo dieters, eating disorders and mental health clients. Jana’s philosophy focuses on working towards enjoyment of all foods (including her favorite treats of date squares and fresh baked cookies) and body confidence. Jana has a very rare background of being both a sports nutritionist and an eating disorder dietitian.  She has a special interest in helping athletes use nutrition as their competitive edge while maintaining a healthy relationship with food and their body image.

Jana has a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition from the University of Saskatchewan. She completed her accredited dietetic internship through the Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region. Jana is registered with the College of Dietitians of Alberta and Dietitians of Canada. She is a Certified Craving Change™ Facilitator and has experience working with clients who are engaged in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Emotion Focused Family Therapy, EMDR and Dialectical Behavior Therapy. She is currently working towards her Masters in Counselling Psychology through Yorkville University to fulfill her goal to practice as both a Dietitian and Psychologist.

Jana continues to be a fitness enthusiast today. She loves hiking, running, biking, basketball and “lifting heavy” things” for fun in the gym. She enjoys chasing her nieces and nephews around, coaching girls basketball and travel. Jana believes in living the healthiest life that you can honestly enjoy!

Download Jana Spindler’s Bio:  PDF

Alison Friesen, BSc, RD Registered Dietitian & Online Nutritionist 
Specialty: Disordered Eating, Mental Health, Sports Nutrition & Fertility

Empathy and kindness are two things you will notice about Alison, oh, and her love of good food and sport! Alison is known for her client-centered approach that looks at a person as a whole in all aspects of physical, mental and spiritual health.  She uses a blend of nutrition research and behavior change principles to help individuals create meaningful and lasting change. While she has diverse experience in a wide range of areas, she specializes in eating disorders (such as anorexia, bulimia and binge eating disorder) as well as sports nutrition and fertility. She is compassionate and certainly won’t expect you to be perfect in your journey to achieve a healthy pregnancy, recover from an eating disorder or improve sports performance. She is passionate about helping you find peace with food (including soulful foods chosen for taste such as her favorites like a bowl of buttery popcorn or a burger with fries).

Alison grew up in Cochrane Alberta playing sports competitively starting from a young age.  This background allowed her to understand the importance of fueling her body to improve energy and performance. After attending the University of Saskatchewan she worked full-time for the Sport Medicine and Science Council of Saskatchewan. This allowed her to work with a large range of competitive athletes including national level teams, Paralympic athletes, the NHL/WHL as well as University, provincial and club sport teams. This gave Alison a wealth of experience and sparked her to start her own private practice in Saskatoon.

As Alison continued to work in the area of women’s health and sport nutrition, she saw some of the great challenge’s athletes face, specifically in the area of mental health. This pushed her to work with more clients struggling with their relationships with food and body while still understanding the desire to compete as an athlete. She even started a podcast, The Warrior, with hopes to inspire and educate individuals with stories from those who have overcome significant challenges.

Alison has a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition from the University of Saskatchewan and completed her accredited dietetic internship through the Saskatoon Health Region. She is registered with the Saskatchewan Dietitians Association (SDA) and College of Dietitians of Alberta. She is also a member of the Professionals in Nutrition for Exercise and Sport (PINES), Dietitians of Canada Sports Nutrition Network, Saskatoon Weight Attitudes and Disordered Eating Committee and the International Federation of Eating Disorder Dietitians (IFEDD).

Alison is currently working towards her certification as a Certified Craving Change^TM Facilitator specializing in strategies for problematic and emotional eating.  She is also currently taking her Master’s of Counseling Psychology through Providence Seminary to fulfill her goal of working as both a Dietitian and Psychologist to better support her clients.

When Alison is not working, she is a mom to a vibrant and strong little girl. She has stayed a sport enthusiast enjoying swimming, volleyball or snowboarding (or really any new sport introduced to her). She now gets to introduce all these sports to her daughter too.

Download Alison Friesen’s Bio:  PDF

Shauna Kime, BSc, RD Registered Dietitian & Online Nutritionist 
Specialty: Weight Concerns, Women’s Health, Type 1 / Type 2 Diabetes, PCOS, Heart Health & Meal Planning

The first thing you will notice about Shauna is her contagious optimism, energetic personality and zest.  Shauna loves teaching and has a heart full of compassion and empathy for helping clients work through health and weight concerns.  You can’t help to feel more confident and excited to take action to improve your health after spending time with her.

Shauna has a zeal for all things ‘food’ – from taste testing healthy, new products on the market, to experimenting with new recipes and feeding fellow foodies.  She is always eager to help others understand the countless ways to add flavor and fun with cooking to improve health for all ages and dietary needs.  Sharing her expertise in the kitchen has transformed into teaching cooking classes to kids and parents, helping them grow their love for food variety, kitchen skills and how to make healthy foods taste great. She believes all foods fit into healthy eating (including ice cream which she ranks as her top favorite even in the winter which is her favorite season).

Shauna has diverse experience travelling and working abroad as well as in Canada. She graduated from the University of Wollongong, Australia, with a Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics degree.  She completed her accredited dietetic internship through Campbelltown Hospital, Liverpool Hospital, Sydney Children’s Hospital, and Nutrition Australia. She then travelled throughout Europe where she further gained an appreciation for the important connection between traditions and cultural foods.

She has worked in a private clinic setting focusing on weight management, healthy eating behaviors and disordered eating. Shauna has also worked with Alberta Health Services, specializing in the area of disease management, cardiovascular disease, weight concerns and diabetes. She specializes in Type 1 Diabetes, Type 2 Diabetes, PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome), weight concerns and has a special interest in women’s health from adolescents to menopause and beyond.

She is a member of the College of Dietitians of Alberta, The Dietitians of Canada and is a Certified Craving Change^TM Facilitator specializing in strategies for problematic and emotional eating..

In her free time you can find her with her husband and dog Koda, spending time outdoors whether it is exploring the mountains or training for a 10K, half-marathon or sprint triathlon. She is also an active member of her church community and empowers adolescent girls as a youth leader. As a cookbook addict you can also naturally find her trying new recipes and hosting friends and family around the dinner table.

Download Shauna Kime’s Bio:  PDF

Olivier Yergeau, BSc, RD Registered Dietitian & Online Nutritionist 
Specialty: Digestive Health, Vegetarian Diets, Weight Concerns, Chronic Disease (Heart, Liver, Kidney Disease, Diabetes), Seniors Health

When you ask colleagues how they would describe Olivier, they say he is both detail oriented when it comes to solving complex health issues yet practical and personable in his approach to counseling his clients. As a vegetarian for over a decade and with family members that love meat, he always finds creative ways for families to be successful in diverse eating styles. He offers a lighthearted and understanding approach to assisting his clients with lifestyle change and loves helping his clients feel better in their own skin.

Olivier was born and raised in the province of Québec. He grew up with French culture and cuisine but has also enjoyed living in many parts of the rest of Canada from sea to sea. Olivier also completed part of his internship in Africa. Olivier now lives and enjoys fully the English culture. He likes to say that “You can take the Frenchie out of Québec, but you cannot take the love of poutine out of the Frenchie.” Now established in Fort St. John in northern British Columbia, he is enjoying building his life and career here.

Olivier started his career in Québec City working for a renowned gym facility where he helped people achieve their personal best weight and elevate their sports performance. He then decided to explore the country and moved to the Yukon where he owned a private practice offering individual nutrition counseling and facilitating group teachings. Later, Olivier moved to Lloydminster, Alberta where he worked in the community as a primary care network nutrition counsellor. Olivier also has experience working with the health authority in Fort St. John as a Clinical Dietitian in a hospital setting and long-term care facility.

During his years of practice, Olivier has worked as a Registered Dietitian with many health conditions including gastrointestinal issues (such as IBS, crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis), high cholesterol, hypertension, diabetes, weight concerns as well as liver and kidney disease. Olivier believes in health at every size, weight inclusivity and encouraging a healthy relationship with food and body acceptance.

Olivier was diagnosed with IBS and is trained in the Low FODMAP diet from the Monash University. With his technical knowledge and his personal experience, he relates with people struggling with digestive health issues and can offer insightful tips on how to best manage symptoms and enjoy eating.

Olivier completed his Bachelor of Science in Food and Nutrition in New Brunswick at the Université de Moncton. He is registered with the College of Dietitians of Alberta, the College of Dietitians of British Columbia and Dietitians of Canada. Olivier is currently working towards his certification as a Certified Craving ChangeTM Facilitator specializing in strategies for problematic and emotional eating. He offers services in both English and French.

When Olivier is not working, he enjoys cooking and baking as well as spending time outside hiking, biking, kayaking or camping in the gorgeous scenery Northern BC has to offer. He loves to travel, explore the world and try new foods abroad.

Download Olivier Yergeau’s Bio:  PDF

Daniela O’Brien, BSc, RD Registered Dietitian & Online Nutritionist 
Specialty: Disordered Eating, Emotional Eating, Weight Concerns, Pre/Post-natal, Infant/Kids/Family Nutrition

Daniela is known for her contagious smile, warm approachability and collaborative approach to nutrition counselling for individuals and families. Her non-judgemental, calm demeaner mixed with confidence and clear direction is especially helpful when families are struggling with meal planning challenges, picky eating, health issues and complex eating disorders.

Daniela is fascinated by the natural complexities of family life among which food plays a central role. Feeding a family well is not just about serving health conscious meals, rather it is an art that requires good humour, plenty of joy and practical ideas that fit the flow of messy and sometimes crazy family time. Daniela is determined to help families thrive, take away the dread and power struggle of meals and enjoy delicious, simple creations and memorable table connections.

Daniela was born in Mexico City and raised in several Latin American countries. Her exposure to different foods and traditions captivated her interest in understanding how food shapes people and society. Her inquisitive approach to life and her delight in deepening her studies helped her land in Vancouver at the University of British Columbia (BC) with a full-ride scholarship where she completed a Bachelor’s of Science in Food, Nutrition and Health. She completed her dietetic internship in the Fraser Health Authority in Greater Vancouver; of course, with more questions than answers!

Daniela set out to work in the field of eating disorders in BC at the Woodstone Residence in Galiano Island and at Looking Glass Residence in Vancouver where she was a highly respected member of the multidisciplinary care team. She developed, implemented and fine-tuned the nutrition program in her role as a Clinical Dietitian and Nutrition Team Lead for residential treatment of anorexia, bulimia and other specified feeding or eating disorders. This challenging yet fascinating role quickly developed her into a compassionate listener, a caring professional and a true advocate for viewing a person beyond the shallow parameters of mere physical health.

Eating disorders would remain a big part of her career through her part-time private practice since 2011. Daniela has also served as a Dietitian in the Perinatal Nutrition Clinic and Reproductive Mental Health in BC’s Women’s Hospital, where she helped women achieve healthy pregnancies and an understanding of post-partum and infant nutrition. She has also worked at the BC Children’s Hospital for the Centre for Healthy Weights / Shapedown BC where she supported kids, teens and their families with weight concerns in collaboration with physicians, psychologists and exercise specialists. Her individual counselling and group programs always advocated for establishing a healthy relationship with food and positive body image.

Daniela is a current member of the College of Dietitians of BC, the College of Dietitians of Alberta and Dietitians of Canada. Daniela is currently working towards her certification as a Certified Craving ChangeTM Facilitator specializing in strategies for problematic and emotional eating. She offers services in both English and Spanish.

When not helping clients, Daniela is busy being a dedicated wife and a mother of four! She knows first-hand the challenges of eating well when expecting, feeding picky eaters and the daily-grind of figuring out what to make for dinner tonight!

Download Daniela O’Brien’s Bio:  PDF

Amy Yiu, BSc, RD Registered Dietitian & Online Nutritionist 
Specialty: Asian Diets, Weight Concerns, Chronic Disease (Heart Health, Bone Health, Diabetes), Meal Planning, Seniors Health)

When you meet Amy you can’t help to be drawn to her infectious enthusiasm, optimism and sincere care for her clients. She loves teaching and mentoring and is known for her kind, reassuring and lighthearted nature. Her clients enjoy the balance of her detail oriented understanding of nutrition wrapped with the ability to offer simplified and practical ideas that can work for any family situation. She is naturally curious, multi-passionate and loves to learn and develop skills in a wide variety of areas.

Since 2008 Amy has worked as a private practice Dietitian as a nutrition counsellor, author, media expert and workshop facilitator. Amy has extensive experience in education for weight concerns, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, bone health, seniors health and family meal planning. She is continuing to expand her knowledge in mental health, menopause and how western medicine and traditional Chinese medicine can intersect for overall wellness. She specializes in the Asian diet and cross-cultural sensitivity of food choices and offering nutrition support in English, Mandarin and Cantonese.

She is founder of Libra Nutrition and at any time leads a team of over a dozen student volunteers in a variety of nutrition education projects for the community, grocery industry and non-profit sector. She and her team have published over 400 nutrition-related articles in multiple Asian magazines and national newspapers including Ming Pao, Foodoir, Voices Weekly and Today Commercial News. She co-authored Dietitians at Home, a cookbook for the whole family with easy and nutritious Asian-inspired recipes and is currently writing her second book.

She is a regular Chinese TV and radio talk show guest expert on nutrition for programs such as OMNI Television and AM1470 in Vancouver. She has proudly served as the spokesperson for the Dietitians of Canada National Nutrition Month campaigns in British Columbia for close to a decade. Amy is a recipient of the Leadership Award by the Dietitians of Canada to recognize her contributions to the profession and the community. Over the past decade, she has conducted over 100 community workshops and touched the lives of over 10,000 people who have attended. She passionately continues to expand her skills as a virtual presenter offering virtual nutrition workshops for organizations and non-profits.

Amy was born and grew up in Hong Kong. She worked as a Public Health Inspector for the Government of Hong Kong and has also lived in Singapore for several years completing her Advanced Diploma in Food Technology at Singapore Polytechnic and working as a Health and Hygiene Officer. As a Chinese Canadian since 2000, she came to Vancouver as an international student to complete a Bachelor of Science in Food, Nutrition and Health at the University of British Columbia. It was here she was awarded the International Leader of Tomorrow Award. She has worked as an Academic Advisor for Kwantlen Polytechnic University and has taken course work in psychology and public relations.

Amy is registered with the College of Dietitians of Alberta, the College of Dietitians of British Columbia and Dietitians of Canada. She is currently working towards her certification as a Certified Craving ChangeTM Facilitator specializing in strategies for problematic and emotional eating.

In her spare time you can find Amy at a yoga class, out for dim sum with friends or cooking up a variety of both western and Asian cuisine in her kitchen with her partner at their residence in Richmond, BC.

Download Amy Yiu’s Bio:  PDF