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Meet Eating Disorder Dietitian, Courtney Skanderup
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Get to know Registered Dietitian, Courtney Skanderup on our team

Disordered Eating Dietitian Courtney Gault

Courtney Skanderup is a a member of Dietitians of Canada and is registered with the College of Dietitians of Alberta and the College of Dietitians of British Columbia. Courtney specializes in disordered eating, mental health, emotional eating, intuitive eating, chronic disease, geriatrics/seniors health, swallowing issues. She strives to create genuine connections with clients and works to create an inclusive space for all.

In this article, we asked her to share a few things about herself so you can get to know her better. You can also read her full bio here: Meet Our Registered Dietitian Team

What is your background as a Dietitian?  

I was lucky to grow up with parents who were both great cooks. My dad loved good food and would make intricate and involved meals. He was known for his restaurant style meal presentation and elaborate fruit platters. My interest in food and nutrition definitely began with him! I wanted to learn more about cooking and how to make food taste good. Eventually, my interest in cooking turned to an interest in how to fuel myself properly for sport. I have always been active and participated in many activities including figure skating, biking, snowboarding, running, and provincial level field hockey.  

Unfortunately, in my late teens I began struggling with my relationship with food and exercise and shifted into an unhealthy mindset and disordered eating patterns. Although this was a challenging time, I was privileged to receive support and work through improving my relationship with food and movement. Throughout this process, I questioned where I wanted to take my career. I knew I wanted to go into health care as I value helping others. After a lot of thought, I decided to become a dietitian to help others struggling with their relationship with food and their body. I took a very different approach to learning about nutrition. I did not want to promote restrictive diets, take away favourite foods, or stop people from enjoying social meals or going out with friends. I completed my Bachelor of Science in Food, Nutrition, and Health majoring in Dietetics at the University of British Columbia in 2015.

Courtney Gault - Eating Disorder Dietitian

After I completed my internship in Kamloops, B.C., I decided to move back to my hometown of Calgary. I was hired as a sole charge Dietitian at a long term care facility that I still work at today. I also worked as a consulting Dietitian at both a massage clinic and family practice where I saw a multitude of clients. Over my years as a dietitian, I have worked with a variety of clients with varying health concerns, but have always found a spark when working with individuals with disordered eating. I have undergone further training in this area, including becoming certified as an Intuitive Eating Counsellor and completing a Masters in Dietetics with projects focused on disordered eating, weight bias, and prenatal and infant health. I love to learn and am always seeking opportunities to increase my knowledge.  

What is your favorite part about being a Dietitian?  

I love talking to people and creating genuine connections. Everyone needs to eat and for many of us food is tied to memories and experiences. I love hearing these stories and helping people create a healthier relationship with food. Getting to know clients and learning how I can best support them around food and their health is extremely rewarding.  

Meet Courtney Gault - Disordered Eating Dietitian

What is one myth you want to clear up about Dietitians?  

That we will lecture you on your food choices, judge you based on your eating habits, and tell you not to eat your favourite foods. We will do none of the above! I am interested in getting to know you as a person and understanding what is important to you. I take the approach that all foods fit and strive to work alongside you.  

What is your favorite nerdy nutritious food chosen for health?  

I love apples served with cheese slices or sliced cucumbers with salt and pepper. I usually eat at least one apple a day! I have even turned my boyfriend into an apple lover- we go through an absurd amount of apples in our household.  

What is your favorite soulful food chosen for taste, enjoyment, and social fun?

My favourite soulful food depends on my mood! I love ice cream, chocolate covered strawberries, puffed wheat squares, and cheddar Crispy Minis. I always include some kind of soulful food in my day!  

Something that people may not know about me:  

I am dog obsessed and almost took home a puppy from the Inca Trail (only kind of joking). I now share a dog with my boyfriend. Her name is Pepper and she is the best! I am always happy to see cute photos and videos of other peoples animals and frequently can be caught watching dog videos on Instagram. Another interesting thing about me is that I used to teach aerial yoga. I have not done it for a few years, but it was a super unique and fun way to move. I enjoyed doing tricks and spending an hour upside down.

Courtney Gault - eating disorder nutritionist
Courtney Gault - Disordered Eating Dietitian

Looking for more information on nutrition counselling? Need nutrition support with your health, mental health and family needs?

We can help! If you want to book an appointment to begin nutrition counselling with Courtney please contact us.

Want to learn more about Calgary Dietitian Courtney Skanderup? Check out her full bio here

Find out more about our Calgary Dietitian and Online Nutritionist services here.

Don’t forget to check your health insurance! Many insurance plans cover Dietitian services.

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Success stories

"I am a psychologist in private practice and it is very important to me that my clients have the best care with other health care professionals. For that reason Health Stand Nutrition is my only source for exceptional Dietitians. Andrea and her team provide highly knowledgeable, compassionate, and real world support to my clients who require assistance with food lifestyle. I trust my clients to them and you would be in excellent hands making them part of your health care team."
Adele Fox, Psychologist
“This is the first time I feel satisfied; my cravings have diminished dramatically and I have a whole new relationship with food. I am eating guilt-free for the first time in my life. My energy has also dramatically increased and I feel great!
Rhonda Jenkins, Nutrition Counseling Client
“The Dieticians at Health Stand Nutrition help you to take action on the science behind eating well by making it practical, understandable, and fun. Their office is cozy and not at all clinical or intimidating. I felt like I was sitting down with a really smart, caring friend who wanted to help me make the best choices for my lifestyle and food preferences. They really are the best in the business.”
Marty Avery, Nutrition Counseling Client
“I have come to think of the program as a one stop shopping excursion for everything one needs to know about creating a joyous relationship with food and our bodies. In a single word, the course has gifted me with freedom from the punishing rigidity of disordered eating, old stories that never were true, and body dysmorphia that did nothing but make me lose sight of a body that has done everything I've asked, despite my careless dismissal of her needs. Now when I look in the mirror I find myself shifting from harsh criticism to gentle gratitude.”
Lynn Haley, Pursuit of Healthiness Online Course Participant
“I spent 3 hours when first diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. I learned more from my Dietitian about food in those 3 hours than I had learned in all the years of my life. I also love the newsletter, there is always something to learn.”
Peter Whitehead, Nutrition Counseling Client
“I didn’t realize how strong my “diet mentality” was, and all the rules I had in my head about food. I was in a cycle of reward/punish/binge/cringe. I booked with your business very reluctantly, on the repeated advice of my doctor, to get my slowly rising cholesterol levels in check. I thought I knew everything about food, and my behaviour with food, but I was definitely re-schooled. My weight is creeping down, I feel good about my diet, exercise, body image, and lifestyle.”
Amy Floyd, Nutrition Counseling Client
“Thanks Andrea for an amazing presentation, I have heard all positive remarks from attendees and the evaluations show the same sentiment. It is really gratifying when a speaker does their “homework” and weaves in our profession’s day to day challenges within their content, you did an awesome job of this! You truly took the “die” out of Dietician! Your information on healthy eating and simplifying how we can work towards this as we are all so busy really hit the mark. Andrea connects very well with her audience; she is energetic, funny, and very approachable.”
Carole Ann LaGrange, Transfusion Medicine Safety Officer

Event Planner for Laboratory Diagnostic Imaging Annual Event

I am a family physician who sees patients with a myriad of eating concerns – from wanting to know how to plan healthy meals for active families, to weight loss, to eating disorders, and so on. I cannot recommend the Health Stand team highly enough. I have worked with (and been to!) other Dieticians in the past and too often find that they just ask for food logs and make suggestions that are easily obtained online or in books. The Dieticians at Health Stand offer much more than just telling clients what they “should be eating.” In contrast, the team really does more of a counselling practice, and they work hard to help their clients learn more about why their eating habits may be off track and not optimal for them, as well as helping people to effect change at a deep level that, most importantly, is sustainable for lifetime health.”
Dr. Deb Putnam, Family Physician

Nutrition Counseling Client & Referring Physician

“I am a busy mom, with kids in high level sports, working full-time downtown, and running our home acreage outside the City. I now have the knowledge and tools I need to plan for and manage the chaos of meal planning.”
Gillian Gray, Pursuit of Healthiness Online Course Participant
“As a construction company, we select speakers who can relate to our industry and its employees. Andrea’s message was delivered with humor and empathy. She makes people feel as though they can make changes without leaving behind every favorite food. Andrea focused her presentation on healthy eating as a way to keep energy high throughout the day. This message and the way it was delivered resonated with our predominantly male, blue collar culture. I would highly recommend Andrea as a speaker for groups such as ours. She will get your message across without alienating anyone in your audience – which is a huge hurdle when trying to introduce a wellness program in the workplace!”
Stephanie Wood, HR and Safety Manager

Fisher Construction Group, Burlington, WA

I found my Dietitian warm, funny, and skilled at teaching nutrition concepts without the overwhelm. The general approach of each session was to mix science with emotion, which was exceedingly effective in helping me shift my perspective on food from one of anxiety to one of joy and curiosity.”
Erin Kronstedt, Nutrition Counseling Client
“Excellent presentation! What a refreshing change to have a speaker inspire rather than “lecture” about nutrition. Your captivating stories, tips and overall approach to healthy eating uplifts and puts people at ease. It was great to hear we don’t need to strive to be perfect eaters, and that small changes really can make a difference in how we feel and in our health. Thanks to Andrea, we have solutions to our everyday nutrition challenges that can actually work in real life!”
Tina Tamagi, Human Resources

ARC Resources Ltd.

“Had I not joined this course I would have struggled with no focus, low energy, and mindless eating. Excellent teaching and motivation. This is not just a course, it is a nutrition club with mentorship, support, and connections with other people with similar situations.”
Lorri Lawrence, Pursuit of Healthiness online course participant

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