Liz Pearson

Liz Pearson is a Registered Dietitian, Award-Winning Professional Speaker and Bestselling Author. Her approach to healthy eating is sane and sensible. Pearson’s mission is to translate the often-confusing and ever-changing science of healthy eating into practical, commonsense advice that people can follow in their busy lives. +

Liz Pearson is well known and respected by the media and has been featured in newspapers and magazines across Canada. She appears regularly on radio and television. She did a weekly segment on CBC News World and has appeared on shows such as Canada AM, Breakfast Television, City TV, Health on the Line, More to Life, Daytime, CBC Radio and 680 News. She also wrote a regular nutrition column for Chatelaine magazine for many years.

Pearson’s first book, When in Doubt, Eat Broccoli! (but leave some room for chocolate) received outstanding reviews from consumers and health professionals alike. Her second book, The Ultimate Healthy Eating Plan (that still leaves room for chocolate!) was a National Bestseller and won a North American award for best book in the health/nutrition category. Liz’s newest book, Ultimate Foods for Ultimate Health (and don’t forget the chocolate!) sold out as soon as it hit bookstore shelves. This National Bestseller also won a prestigious gold award from Cuisine Canada for excellence in nutrition writing and recipes.

Liz received her Bachelor’s Degree in Nutrition from Ryerson University and completed her internship at the Toronto General Hospital. --

Liz Pearson's Speaking Presentations:

Nutrition Keynotes & Workshops
Liz Pearson is an award-winning, professional speaker. She changes how people look at food, think about food, and feel about food. She changes the choices they make. Her talks are engaging, informative, inspiring, and fun! She speaks regularly to corporations, associations, health professionals, educators, and more. Each talk is customized to best meet client needs. Most keynotes or workshops are 1 to 2 hours in length. Half-day presentations are also an option. Let Liz Pearson build a talk for you, based on the topics below:

The Happiness Diet: Eating to Optimize Brain Health, Gut 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.  The World Health Organization ranks depression as the single largest contributor to disability worldwide (ahead of other widely publicized candidates, like heart disease, cancer, and diabetes).  Anxiety follows not far behind.  Although all mental health disorders are extremely complex in their causation, a compelling and growing body of research says diet plays a significant role in their prevention and treatment. +

Certain nutrients and dietary patterns promote a healthy brain, as well as a healthy gut microbiome – both of which are critical to mental well-being.  In contrast, a lack of specific nutrients and an excess of unhealthy, processed foods greatly harms mental health.

Bottom line:  This insightful, research-based, and very timely presentation is about optimizing mental health, and significantly reducing the risk of depression and anxiety, with food.

What you’ll learn:

• How profoundly food choice affects moods and emotions
• How food choice impacts brain health, including cell growth, cell damage, connectivity, and plasticity (the ability of the brain to rewire)
• Why an anti-inflammatory, eating plan is essential for preventing and treating depression and anxiety
• How specific nutrients affect the production of neurotransmitters (chemical messengers) in the body, like serotonin, that influence mood
• Why consuming a high-fibre diet, along with a diverse range of plant foods, is critical to a healthy gut microbiome
• Why certain nutrients – such as omega-3 fats, polyphenols, zinc, vitamin D, and vitamin B12 – are especially important for mental health
• Why the Mediterranean diet – rich in fruits, vegetables, olive oil, fish, nuts, and whole grains – may be the best defense against depression
• How fermented foods and probiotics can increase happiness
• Why certain antioxidant-rich, anti-inflammatory herbs and spices, such as curcumin, are considered natural antidepressants
• How different beverages affect 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 “Happiness Diet” looks like, including specific foods and food quantities --

Nutritional All-Stars & Dietary Villains
Your body is your home. It’s the most important home you’ll ever live in. Learn which foods are all-star protectors of health and those that cause harm. Reduce your risk of heart disease, cancer, diabetes, dementia, and more.  +

• The latest research on superfoods like blueberries, kale, almonds, black beans, quinoa, salmon, turmeric, green tea, and dark chocolate;
• How much is too much when it comes to sugar, salt, red meat, and unhealthy fats;
• How food impacts your brain, heart, eyes, and all your body parts;
• Prebiotics and probiotics – the health of your gut determines the health of your body.  --

Food Myths, Misconceptions & Lies
If you’re frustrated by changing nutrition headlines and conflicting advice, you’re definitely not alone. Get science-backed answers to your most common questions.
Alcohol – does a drink a day keep the doctor away?  +

• Are detox diets safe?
• How much water should I really drink?
• Is a gluten-free lifestyle recommended for all?
• Should eggs be back on the menu?
• How harmful or healthy are saturated fats?
• What vitamin supplements should I take and avoid?
• Is organic always better?
• Is coffee more healthful than harmful?
• Does milk fit into a healthy diet?  --

Healthy Weight Management In An Unhealthy World
A healthy body weight has a tremendous impact on how you look and feel, as well as your risk of disease. Learn how to manage your weight in a world that makes it almost impossible to do.  +

• The latest research on losing weight, keeping it off, and why most diets fail;
• The dangers of emotional eating and why mindful eating is here to stay;
• The science of food habits and how to change them;
• How to survive and even thrive in a toxic food environment;
• Stand up and move – sitting is the new smoking!
• Walking is a superstar sport.  --

Eating Healthy In The Fast Lane
When life gets busy, it’s harder to eat healthy. Get practical advice on how to eat well, even on the run.  +

• Top ten healthy snack options (plus snacks that look healthy, but are not);
• The importance of snack timing and location;
• Why dining out is so harmful to health and how to minimize the damage done;
• Fast, fun, easy meal ideas when you don’t have the time (or energy) to cook.  --

Building A Healthy Child
What you feed your child or teen greatly impacts their health and well-being today and in the future. Take responsibility. Help your child develop habits that will support them for life.  +

• “Dad, eat your veggies!” – parental role modeling matters a lot;
• Family dinners promote health, happiness, and so much more;
• No threats, bribes, or food rewards allowed;
• New foods – if at first you don’t succeed, try and try again!
• Teach your kids to cook – it’s a lost, forgotten skill;
• Detox your home food environment – what can stay and what must go;
• Childhood obesity – handle with kindness and care;
• Eating disorder prevention – the plague of today’s youth.  --

Specialty Presentations +

Liz delivers specialized talks geared for dental health professionals, as well as health professionals involved with cancer, heart disease, and diabetes. For the food industry, she covers the latest food trends and gives specific product ideas and recommendations to better meet customer needs.  --

Health & Wellness Programs +

More and more companies are developing Health and Wellness programs.Liz can assist with both the development and delivery of the program. Healthier employees are good for the bottom line. They’re happier, more productive, miss work less often, and result in lower health care costs. A good wellness program also significantly increases employee satisfaction and lowers employee turnover.  --

Weekend Retreats +

Retreats are the ultimate environment for lasting and meaningful change. Clients can hire Liz for one or two day weekend (or weekday) retreats. Large or small groups can be accommodated. Clients choose the location (or she can recommend). It should be surrounded by nature and have access to plenty of hiking trails and other outdoor activities. The retreat includes nutrition lectures, cooking demos, great food, meditation, hiking, dancing, fit breaks, life lessons and more.  -- 

Liz Pearson is represented by K&M Productions for speaking engagements. For more information, speaking fees & booking nutritionist Liz Pearson contact us.