Jennifer Otley, RD

About Jennifer:

Born and raised in Ottawa, Ontario, Jennifer went on to attain her Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Physical and Health Education from Queen’s University. She then followed her passion for nutrition and completed her Bachelor of Applied Science in Nutrition at Ryerson University followed by a dietetic internship at Mount Sinai Hospital. In conjunction with her position as RD at the East Liberty Medical Centre, Jennifer currently works for the Mount Sinai Hospital Academic Family Health Team. Jennifer holds professional memberships with the College of Dietitians of Ontario and Dietitians of Canada.

Nutrition Services:

Weight Management,
Women’s Health (including pregnancy and lactation)
Diabetes
Heart Health (including cholesterol and blood pressure concerns)
Sports and Performance Nutrition
Gastrointestinal disorders (Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Celiac, reflux, etc)
Healthy Eating for active and busy lifestyles

What to Expect During your first visit with Jennifer:

First and foremost, your reason for your visit guides the appointment. Your initial meeting begins with a thorough discussion of your health and lifestyle background, including weight history, lifestyle habits, activity level, typical eating pattern and food preferences. Jennifer then recommends evidence-based, practical suggestions for enhancing your diet. Together, you and Jennifer discuss strategies you feel you can reasonably incorporate into your daily life. She will help you turn nutrition recommendations into practical tips for healthy eating with a busy lifestyle; whether it’s learning how to make healthy choices when eating out or meal planning so you can prepare quick and nutritious meals at home.

Follow-up sessions:

Meeting with Jennifer periodically, as often as you wish, is recommended to help support you through your lifestyle changes. During these follow-ups, the progression of your goals is reviewed and discussed. Depending on your needs, your goals may be tweaked and additional goals and recommendations may be defined. Ongoing coaching and support helps you to sustain healthy lifestyle changes that lead to improved well-being in the long-term.

What’s the difference between a “dietitian” and a “nutritionist”?

Registered dietitians are regulated health professionals who have a university degree in nutrition and supervised practical experience (internship) in either a hospital or community setting. The terms “dietitian” and “RD” are protected by law, meaning only members of the College of Dietitians of Ontario can use these titles. However, most “nutritionists” are not regulated and cannot call themselves a Registered Dietitian. In fact, anyone can themselves a nutritionist or a “registered nutritionist” without any formal education or supervision in the area.