Liz Pearson

Virtual Keynote Speaker

Registered Dietician

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Liz Pearson is a Registered Dietitian with a passion for peanut butter sandwiches and an undying love for chocolate. She’s been speaking and writing about nutrition for over 25 years.

Liz presents regularly to associations, corporations, educators, and health professionals across North America about eating for optimal physical health, mental health, and disease prevention.

Liz was the nutrition columnist for Chatelaine magazine for many years and has written four books, including two award-winning, national bestsellers. She appears regularly on radio and television across Canada, including CBC News, Breakfast Television, and 680 News.

In addition to her nutrition education, she’s completed training in Emotion Focused Therapy (York University), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (University of Toronto), Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (The Centre for Mindfulness Studies) and Self-Compassion (with Kristen Neff).

Her most recent book is called “Broccoli, Love & Dark Chocolate" (Because food, love and life should be delicious!)”.

Speakers Like Liz Pearson

Speaking Topics

Eating to Optimize Gut Health, Brain Health, & Mental Health

The two most common psychological disorders in the world are depression and anxiety. Their impact on happiness and well-being is tremendous. Although all mental health disorders are complex in their causation, a compelling and growing body of research says diet plays a significant role. Certain nutrients and dietary patterns powerfully promote a healthy brain, as well as a healthy gut microbiome – both of which are critical to mental health and happiness. In contrast, a lack of specific nutrients and an excess of ultra-processed foods can greatly harm mental well-being. This insightful, research-based, and very timely presentation is about optimizing mental health, and significantly reducing the risk of depression and anxiety, with food. In this presentation, Liz covers the following:

  • How food choice impacts the health of the brain and gut, and ultimately the risk of depression and anxiety
  • The most important foods for brain and gut health, including high-fibre plant foods, fermented foods, as well as specific nutrients, including vitamin D, omega-3 fats, and more
  • How different beverages impact mental health, including water, coffee, tea, sugary drinks, and alcohol
  • Why ultra-processed foods, especially those high in sugar, are so harmful to brain health, gut health, and happiness
  • What the “ultimate eating plan for happiness” looks like, with specific suggestions on what to eat for breakfast, lunch, dinner & snacks
 

Eating for Optimal Health & Happiness

It was Hippocrates who said, “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food”. What we eat profoundly affects our physical health, including our energy levels, the strength of our immune system, how quickly we age, as well as our disease risk, body weight, quality of life, and longevity. Food choice also impacts our mental health, including our ability to think and learn, and whether we feel happy, anxious, or depressed. In this fast-paced, thought-provoking, and entertaining session you’ll learn why our toxic food environment, including super tasty, ultra-processed foods, are so harmful to our health. Common foods myths and misunderstandings are clarified, including the truth about gluten-free diets, vitamin supplements, juice cleanses, red wine, coffee, and more. Discover which foods provide all-star health protection (like kale, blueberries, black beans, quinoa, turmeric, and almonds), as well as how much is too much when it comes to sugar, salt, and red meat. Get great advice on healthy eating (and snacking!) on the run and how to feed your family well. Understand what the science says about not just losing weight, but actually keeping it off. Appreciate the significance of a high-fibre eating plan in nourishing your microbiome. Bottom line: This inspiring presentation is about choosing nutritious, disease-fighting, all-star foods and minimizing the intake of dietary villains to optimize your physical and mental health. It’s about “letting food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.”

 

Food, Body Image & Mental Health

“Perhaps the most intimate relationship each of us will ever have is not with any fellow member of our own human species. Instead, it is between our bodies and our food.” Mariette DiChristina, Editor, Scientific American

One of the greatest factors influencing our relationship with food, is the relationship we have with our bodies and ourselves. In our current media environment, including social media, the vast majority of females and an increasing number of males, suffer from significant body dissatisfaction. Family and friends, often unknowingly, contribute to the problem. This lack of body acceptance and discontent impairs mental health, leading to low self-esteem, deep shame, and depression. Body dissatisfaction is also the strongest predictor of disordered eating and eating disorder development and maintenance. Our current food landscape - characterized by easily accessible, highly palatable, ultra-processed foods - contributes to the problem. Helping individuals and society develop healthier relationships with their bodies, themselves, and with food should be a priority for all. Practicing mindfulness and self-compassion, as well as learning to silence the inner critic, and better regulate emotions, all make a difference. Strong family relationships and shared family meals also matter. Discouraging extreme dieting, meal skipping, “fat talk”, and excessive use of social media is critical. This enlightening and informative presentation is about using food to nourish your body in a healthy way, as well as learning to love your body, and truly love yourself.

 

Recent Publications by Liz Pearson

Broccoli, Love and Dark Chocolate: Because food, love and life should be delicious!

 

The Ultimate Healthy Eating Plan: That Still Leaves Room for Chocolate

 

Dont Forget the Chocolate!

 

"I've been attending conferences for 17 years and Liz's seminar is the best I have ever been to. Liz is polished, passionate, dynamic, practical, entertaining, very compelling, very relevant and an outstanding, all-star speaker. She was worth the cost of the conference alone! Please ask her to come again!" Family Physicians, Primary Care Today Conference

"Everyone should see Liz's presentation. The information is amazing and the presentation is astonishing. It's motivational, easy to follow and funny. I loved the ease and friendliness of the presentation, as well as Liz's energy and passion. She truly inspired me! She had the attention of the audience at every simple moment. I would recommend Liz to anyone or any organization. I will be making life style changes." VON Peel

"Amazing!! Life-changing! Liz Pearson is awesome!!! Powerful, articulate and dynamic speaker. Influential, passionate and inspiring. Clear, concise and to the point. She has your attention - there is never a dull moment. Love her infusion of humour!! Bring her back anytime! Wow!" Odette Cancer Centre

"If you have a chance to see Liz - DO IT!! She doesn't just repeat stats and facts - she really knows her stuff. If she came back tomorrow I would attend her seminar again in a heartbeat." Simcoe Board of Education

"Liz you are amazing!! You explain things in a way that helps one to clearly understand about food and how it affects the body and overall health. You are a wonderful, genuine and interesting speaker!" Loblaws

"Liz is the most dynamic speaker I have ever heard. The time flew - I could have listened forever. What I liked best about her presentation was her energy and conviction. She inspires confidence because she has such a command of her topic. She is a true professional." Diva Foundation Speaker Series

"FANTASTIC! Great energy! Great info! Motivating, captivating and inspiring. Compact synopsis of all the major food issues that come up. Lovely sense of humour and anecdotes to keep the information relevant, interesting and entertaining." Hamilton Nutrition Committee

"Liz is passionate, enthusiastic, engaging and extremely articulate. She told us what we needed to know and supported it with studies and solid research. I loved her candor, honesty and personal examples. She kept my attention the whole time and answered all my questions before I asked them. The session was informative, upbeat, fun and fast-paced without ever being preachy." Environics

"Liz Pearson's talk was amazing! She's a dynamic speaker with lots of energy! The research was thorough and up-to-date. Great practical tips and recommendations. One of the best, if not the best speakers I have ever seen." Dieticians of Canada Annual Conference

"What did I like best about Liz's presentation? Everything! What could have made the presentation better? Nothing - it was fabulous. Liz is a dynamic speaker and so knowledgeable. She's well spoken and precise. Don't miss her!! Very beneficial!!!" Ontario Real Estate Association