About Christine Nanke, RD, LD – Pediatric & Eating Disorder Dietitian

by Christine
Family photo

 

Hey there! I’m Christine

I am a registered dietitian specializing in pediatric nutrition and eating disorders.


With extensive experience working with children, adolescents, and adults, I provide individualized nutrition therapy for eating disorders, ARFID, selective eating, pediatric nutrition concerns, and other conditions requiring specialized nutrition support.

 

My approach is HAES-informed, weight-inclusive, and grounded in evidence-based nutrition care. My approach emphasizes adequate nourishment, flexibility with food, body respect, and a sustainable relationship with eating.

 

I am licensed to provide telehealth nutrition services in Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin.

 

I have been practicing as a Registered Dietitian for over 15 years in Eastern Iowa. Plus, I’m blessed to be a mom to three! As a mom, I understand the stress around meal times and wanting your children to have a healthy relationship with food and their body. My goal is to help you discover tips and tricks to feed your family through evidence-based practice to live a life with substance.  

 

Professional Expertise

My passion for nutrition began early on and fueled my desire to become a registered dietitian. But my beliefs about nutrition back then were all wrong. I had my fair share of thoughts that foods were “good” or “bad”, that the only way to lose weight was to count calories, and that there was a right and wrong way to be healthy. 
 
I discovered the concept of Intuitive Eating at the beginning of my career. That’s when I recognized that my attempts to control my health were actually controlling me. I let go of my food rules and finally experienced the joy of food freedom and body peace. 
 
My career began working as a clinical dietitian for over a decade before expanding to my private practice, Life with Substance LLC. I also work as a consultant dietitian at a facility for kids and adults with disabilities. While I have the opportunity to work with individuals in all areas of nutrition, my passion is working with pediatrics and individuals suffering from eating disorders. 
 

My Philosophy 

In the heart of my philosophy lies a powerful truth: God created each individual to be intricately and beautifully unique. Embracing this uniqueness is not just important; it’s essential in the path towards a positive body image and a harmonious relationship with food. God didn’t make a mistake when he made you. You are not more or less valuable as a result of your body size or shape.
 
“The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (Samuel 16:7b)
 
My role as a registered dietitian involves guiding clients to discover and celebrate the amazing capabilities of their bodies, moving beyond societal pressures and self-critique. It’s about shifting the narrative from focusing on how the body looks to appreciating what the body can achieve. This journey towards acceptance helps foster a profound sense of self-love and respect. Recognizing the inherent worth and beauty in our bodies, regardless of shape or size, is a crucial step in healing.
 
Together, we work to unravel the complex emotions surrounding food and body image, creating a space where growth and self-acceptance can flourish. This approach not only nurtures a healthier body image but also supports the overall recovery process, providing a foundation for lasting change.
 

Personal Experience 

I have worked with hundreds of parents for over a decade, seeking guidance on how to help feed their picky eaters as well as promote a healthy relationship with food and body. But it wasn’t until I became a mom that I discovered how difficult feeding little ones can really be as a parent. After many years of experience, I have learned countless tips to help parents become successful in feeding their kids while promoting food freedom and body positivity. Even with thousands of hours of nutrition experience under my belt, I believe that nutrition doesn’t have to look perfect. My kids eat mac and cheese and ice cream too! It’s all about finding the right balance for your family.
 
I wanted to share this blog so you too can find the same joyful freedom in food while also navigating feeding your family. Helping others through nutrition brings me great joy. I’m excited to share those moments with you here. 

© 2026 - Life With Substance, LLC

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