about Jenna

Gold torso necklace on a gold chain and a headshot of Jenna Hollenstein

Nutrition Therapist, Meditation Teacher & Author

Jenna Hollenstein is an Intuitive Eating dietitian and meditation teacher who supports women to go from hating their bodies and fearing food to rediscovering joy in eating and movement and reconnecting with their true selves.

  • I’ve been a dietitian for more than 20 years but back when I started I was still deep into my own disordered eating and drinking. At least I had the good sense not to get a job guiding people’s eating. Instead I delved into the science as a medical writer and editor. 

  • I took my last drink on my 33rd birthday, a choice that, as it turns out, changed everything. Being sober forced me to face my fears, to get comfortable with discomfort, and to finally address my relationship with food and my own body. 

  • I realize now that, even at my most disordered some of my own innate wisdom shone through: after all, I did choose a career that would ultimately allow me to heal and to support others’ healing as well.

  • When I began meditating, my brain started exploding with all the connections between Buddhist philosophy and the behaviors and substances we use to change how we feel: dieting, drinking, shopping, working, and on and on. 

  • I’ve since explored those connections in my own relationship with food and body, in my work with people, and through writing. What I’ve realized I’m best at is accompanying you through your own process of deprogramming from the diet culture and reconnecting with the wisdom of your body, mind, and heart through Intuitive Eating and meditation.

Persimmons in a blue bowl on a blue table

how It started

“hey, i’m good on paper too.”

  • The philosophy inherent in both Intuitive Eating and mindfulness has shifted my perspective to one of gratitude, even—maybe especially—for my struggles.

  • Without them, I could never understand the heartbreaking reality of being human. I couldn’t offer real compassion to people.

  • What I have learned during that awkward moment between birth and death is there is nothing wrong with me. There never was. Not that I couldn’t continue to learn and become more skillful about navigating life. But at the core, I am okay.

testimonials

Reviews

“Jenna gave me the space to talk about things that were scary for me to discuss, and she made me feel heard and supported…Working with her helped me let go of some of the mental weight, which feels like a true relief.”

S.

“Jenna is there with you… creating connection and community.”

N.

“…In this community we were able to admit our long-standing worries, neuroses, habits that I think many of us had been hiding from the rest of the world. It is a place where I feel completely safe, and I am so thankful for that.”

A.

“The community that Jenna has created is amazing. ...Jenna has set me on a path that I never want to wander off.”

E.

“Jenna keeps me grounded. She is safe, kind, non judgemental, supportive, encouraging. I am a better person because of the mindfulness techniques she has incorporated in our work with intuitive eating. She is a thought partner that will walk this journey along side of you not ahead of you…”

J.

“…Jenna’s wisdom, compassion, and humor makes for a safe and supportive environment, enabling me to get to the heart of the matter: that I CAN trust my own body and intuition and can keep myself nourished physically and emotionally.”

A.

“Jenna is an inexhaustible source of knowledge and support. She puts me at ease and helps me in solving my problems in a professional and humane way. She is caring, supportive and thoughtful.”

P.

Fun Facts about Jenna

Bates Motel neon sign with trees in background

Two of my favorite things: horror movies and drag culture.

01

Pho in a white bowl with wooden chopsticks placed on top of the bowl

02

Favorite food: Vietnamese Pho.

Jenna Hollenstein floating in pool with blue water

03

I feel most like myself in the water.

Official Bio

Jenna Hollenstein, MS, RDN, CDN, is an anti-diet dietitian-nutritionist, certified Intuitive Eating Counselor, meditation teacher, and author of five books, including Eat to Love and  Intuitive Eating for Life. She integrates Intuitive Eating with mindfulness in her work with clients to help women go from hating their bodies and fearing food to rediscovering joy in eating and movement and reconnecting with their true selves. She especially loves working with moms, women in middle-age, women in recovery, and other RDs and therapists.

Jenna weaves together science and mindfulness to support her clients to:

  • Understand how, when, and why they got sucked into the diet culture

  • Unlearn the harmful and false messages that there is something wrong with them or their bodies

  • Reconnect with sensation in their intelligent bodies

  • Learn to feed themselves physically, emotionally, psychologically, and spiritually 

  • Rewire their brains around eating, movement, alcohol use, and other problematic thoughts and behaviors to live with joy and purpose

  • Learn to tolerate and ultimately work with uncomfortable feelings to truly heal

  • Discover delight, notice everyday magic, and feel fully alive

Jenna received a bachelors of science in nutrition from Penn State University and a masters of science in nutrition from Tufts University. She has trained in numerous additional modalities, including polyvagal theory, somatic self-compassion, trauma-sensitive mindfulness, and embodied social justice. Her voracious reading and support of colleagues with different lived experiences allows her to cater directly to different client needs, such as working with specific medical conditions, embracing cultural foods, and accepting your present-moment body. 

Jenna has been a guest on numerous podcasts and teaches at the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health. Her work has been featured in Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, U.S. News & World Report, Yoga Journal, Health, Self, Lion’s Roar, Mindful, Vogue, Elle, Glamour, and Women’s World.

Short Bio

Jenna Hollenstein is an anti-diet dietitian, certified Intuitive Eating Counselor, meditation teacher, and author of five books, including Intuitive Eating for Life. She integrates Intuitive Eating with mindfulness to help women go from hating their bodies and fearing food to rediscovering joy in eating and movement and reconnecting with their true selves. She especially loves working with moms, women in middle-age, women in recovery, and other RDs and therapists. Jenna has appeared on numerous podcasts and teaches at the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health. Her work has been featured in Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, U.S. News & World Report, Yoga Journal, Health, Self, Lion’s Roar, Mindful, Vogue, Elle, Glamour, and Women’s World.