Culturally relevant foods, Press

Katie Couric Media: Why Healthy Eating Demands Personalization, Not Generalization

July 18, 2023

By Maya Feller, MS, RD, CDN
July 18, 2023

The American medical establishment is fixated on a narrow definition of “healthy food.”

A Filipina woman recently came to see me for dietitian services after she was told by her primary care provider that she needed to “eat healthier.” She was told if she didn’t make adjustments to her diet, she’d be at risk of developing a chronic disease. Understandably, she was concerned.

A quick look at her lab results revealed that she was in no imminent danger; her blood sugar, cholesterol, and blood pressure were all within healthy limits. And after a conversation about her food choices, I discovered that she was happy and following a well-balanced pattern of eating, usually a mix of protein, fats, and carbs seasoned with vegetables and herbs. She loved savory breakfasts — often a combination of well-seasoned garlicky rice served with fish — and her lunches and dinners were built around plates similar to Arroz Caldo (a richly-flavored ginger and garlic soup, either sour, tangy, or spicy).

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Maya Feller

Maya Feller, MS, RD, CDN is the founder and lead dietitian at Maya Feller Nutrition. In her practice, her team provides medical nutrition therapy and nutrition coaching for cardiovascular disease, diabetes, mood disorders, developmental disabilities, disordered eating, and more. Maya believes in providing inclusive nutrition education from an anti-bias patient-centered, culturally humble approach to help people make informed food choices. Maya shares her approachable, food-based solutions with millions of people through regular speaking engagements, writing, her social platforms, and as a national nutrition expert on Good Morning America, is a Healthline Medical Advisor, and on the advisory board for SHAPE and Parents, as well as appearing on TODAY Show, Tamron Hall, and in The New York Times, mindbodygreen, Well+Good, Food Network, Martha Stewart, Real Simple, Good Housekeeping, Cooking Light, Eating Well, Prevention, Glamour, SELF, and more. She is the author of The Southern Comfort Food Diabetes Cookbook: Over 100 Recipes for a Healthy Life and Eating from Our Roots: 80+ Healthy Home-Cooked Favorites from Cultures Around the World (goop Press, January 24, 2023).

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