On the Job

>>When deciding between chocolate ice cream and a full meal, Elaine Hastings will take the sweets. For this registered dietitian, it’s all about finding balance. Hastings, of Associates in Nutrition Therapy in Fort Myers, has been practicing for 15 years and was recently named president of the Caloosa Dietetic Association. A "nutrition entrepreneur," she works contractually and is also a writer, motivational speaker, product researcher, counselor and sports-nutrition advocate.

Why did you become a registered dietitian?

Growing up, I always had a tremendous focus on health, diet, sports, athletics and nutrition. Oftentimes, young girls, especially athletes, become obsessed with their image and weight—so much so that it hinders their athletic performance. That is what happened to me. I became very sick from not eating right and ended up in the hospital. My focus and drive for perfection only stumped my growth as a young girl and athlete. At that point I decided that I wanted to teach people how they could be healthy.

Where do you believe America is in terms of nutrition?

People are getting it now, as a result of all the health-related diseases. We are seeing a move toward organic, but it’s more expensive. At the other end of the spectrum, we still have an obese population that is growing children and families to be the same. The biggest issue is education about portion sizes and the availability of healthy foods.

What are the more memorable cases you’ve dealt with?

A big part of my practice is eating disorders—people who are really struggling to get out of the mindset of wanting to be thin. Some have been discharged from an inpatient facility, or I recommend they go to an inpatient facility. You really need to re-teach them how to eat healthfully. These are the most difficult for me, but I do them because I’m good at it. The girls need somebody to understand where they are, so they in particular are in my heart.