Member Profile: Andrea Davis

We all have many relationships in our lives, but perhaps one of our earliest and most complex is with food. As a Holistic Health and Nutrition Counselor and founder of Andrea Davis Wellness, Andrea Davis's job is to help clients navigate a healthy partnership with the pantry. Andrea recently spoke with Urban Girl Squad about the nutritional coaching about which she's so passionate, the state of the American diet (it isn't good), and how she's adjusting to a change of scenery.

UGS: You teach your clients to "bring awareness and mindfulness to [their] eating habits" and "understand and reduce cravings." Can you elaborate on these two elements of your program?

People underestimate the part that awareness plays in nutrition. Because we're so busy and overstimulated we lose the connection between the cues our bodies are giving us and our actions. Mindfulness is about being able to answer the question, "How do the foods you eat make you feel?" And that answer is going to be different for each individual. Sometimes our bodies are screaming at us, and we're not listening.

Cravings can be emotional--a certain food reminds you of childhood, or you want ice cream because you're at the beach. But cravings are also deeper than that. Your body is telling you that you're missing something--a nutritional element-- and it will keep asking for it until it gets it.

UGS: Prior to your current venture you spent years on Wall Street and in management consulting. What inspired the transition?

I've always been passionate about health, fitness, and sports; I participate in marathons and triathlons. I became increasingly interested in how nutrition impacts the body's performance and found myself answering lots of questions for friends. As the markets declined I thought it might be a good time for a change, so I decided to attend a nutrition program on the weekends. I figured that the worst-case scenario was that I'd get an education and be able to help myself and my family with these issues. The best-case--which panned out--was that I totally changed direction.

We're at a place in this country where the way we eat is dramatically impacting everything-- healthcare needs, costs. Experts have predicted that children born after 2000 will be the first generation to have shorter lives than their parents. There's such a better way to eat, but we've lost our way a bit, and now it takes effort to get back to something so simple.

So career-wise, taking this step was a little bit of a jump, but it was the outcome of a meeting of my passions and the need; I feel very blessed.

UGS: What are some holistic health and nutrition issues specific to women?

Women who live in New York often have a lot of stress and feel emotional pressure to look a certain way. Their attitudes toward their bodies and food--the cycles of depravation and binging--are often more of a struggle than the nutritional issues. But just like men, women in the city have high-powered jobs and are busy and trying to figure out how to eat healthy and on the go.

UGS: How did you first learn about Urban Girl Squad?

I first connected with Amanda through a networking group; I felt that what she was doing with Urban Girl Squad was really great. I think people get tired going out for dinner and drinks in Manhattan. It's great to have a safe, comfortable environment where you can do fun things and meet great women--and have someone else plan it all for you.

UGS: Describe your last really fun night out.

I wanted to have one more big dinner as a native New Yorker before moving to Connecticut last month. So some friends and I went to Telepan, which is my favorite restaurant on the Upper West Side. They have an amazing chef and fresh, local food from the Greenmarket.

UGS: What are your professional and personal goals for 2010?

Professionally, I'm developing an electronic, multimedia program that will be an economically efficient alternative to my one-on-one coaching; I plan to launch it in the fall. I'm also working on some meal planning and shopping tools.

Personally, I'm looking forward to spending the summer renovating my new house and getting settled while finding a balance between my New York and Connecticut lives.

Perhaps back in April you attended our organic wine and food event, which Andrea ran alongside Gerard Quirk of New York Vinters. If not, check out the recap!