Hi, I’m Christina, a Nutritionist practicing in Ottawa and online! I’m passionate about helping women with hormonal conditions like PMS, PCOS, and endometriosis get back to their best health. I also enjoy helping people with IBS, SIBO, and food sensitivities figure out how to enjoy eating again.
My journey
In my teens, my period made me miserable. I would lie on the bathroom floor in complete pain, unsure if I was going to vomit or die. My moods fluctuated. I had my period 3 times a month. When I was 17, I decided to go on the birth control pill. But then, I developed all kinds of digestive issues.
When I was 19, I was diagnosed with colitis. At 20, I discovered I had food sensitivities to some of the most common ingredients (including gluten, dairy, eggs, corn, and soy). This was back before the wide availability of allergy-friendly food products.
Since few grocery stores had packaged items I could eat, I learned to make everything from scratch. Many mistakes were made. I baked liquid cupcakes, a loaf of bread that rose so high that it leaked all over the oven, and all kinds of baked goods that crumbled when touched. But those years of trial and error have paid off. Now I know how to cater to pretty well any food sensitivity.
I learned that for as long as I remained on hormonal birth control, my digestive issues would never improve. However, I also learned that digestive problems worsen hormonal conditions, affecting PMS. I had been stuck in a vicious cycle. And eventually, I discovered that the PMS symptoms were caused by endometriosis.
For a long time, my health improved. But while in school for Acupuncture, I was stressed. My gut started acting up again. This time, I was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease.
These obstacles remind me how determined I am. With each hurdle, I gain more tools to improve my health. I’m able to bounce back stronger each time. And I know you can too.
My professional path
Over the last decade, I’ve set on a path to get my health back on track. Enrolling at the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition has taught me so much about how food can help us. Studying Traditional Chinese Medicine has given me a better understanding of the many different aspects that affect health.
As a Nutritionist, I believe that an important part of healthy eating is being excited about what’s on your plate. I also feel that addressing lifestyle factors to reduce stress is crucial. I’m here to empower you to make healthy decisions. And don’t worry; I know you probably don’t want to eat a kale salad for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I’ll gladly help you figure out how to easily put together meals that are healthy, tasty, and that fit in your busy schedule. Now you can stop dreading meal times!
It’s time for you to get back to your healthiest self!
To learn how to work with me to address your nutrition, head over here.
Professional bio
Christina Najjar is a Registered Holistic Nutritionist (R.H.N). She has recently completed her diploma in Traditional Chinese Medicine with Honours at the International Academy of Applied Health. Christina currently awaits her licensing exams to provide Acupuncture services. She has also graduated from the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition with Honours and received the award for the Highest Standing in her class. Christina also holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts with a Major in Psychology and a Minor in Gerontology from the University of Ottawa. She runs her practice online and through Livewell Myofascial Release in Ottawa. The focus of Christina’s practice is managing symptoms of PMS, PCOS, and endometriosis, as well as taking care of food sensitivities, though she welcomes all health concerns.