Dayna Zarn RD

 
 

Hello

I’m Dayna. I’m a Registered Dietitian focusing on how the foods we choose to eat can affect our lives today and in the future.

I believe that what we EAT is POWERFUL and that the body can fight off disease and thrive with energy if given the right fuel to support it. Food is the best medicine, making us feel better, or even amazing. Food serves a purpose for our body, mind, and soul.

I also REALLY LOVE FOOD! I love talking about food, and I love eating real food. I want to share with you some of my favorite tips and tricks that I use daily in my own life, and have shared with friends and clients for nearly 20 years. My favorite way to help you is taking the foods you already love and enjoy, and manipulating them in a way that will help you REACH YOUR HEALTH, BODY, and FITNESS GOALS.

It really can be fun, and when you see the transformation happening and the energy flowing, you will be motivated and confident in yourself both mentally and physically.

 

Growing up

I grew up in a small farming community. I knew the typical jobs… doctors, lawyers, and engineers in oil and gas. Spending time with my aunt, a nurse at the children’s hospital, I met a dietitian and was immediately sold to the idea of talking about food all day! Glorious!

My love of food goes back to my childhood. We always had a massive garden and I learned the delicious difference you get from fresh food from the ground (like those little organic carrots covered in dirt - yumm) compared to packaged overly processed foods. Also, my Mom, even though she was working full time, was so creative and quick at making great meals on a tight budget. I believe her love of spices and her refusal to follow a recipe, led me to being a creative and adventurous foodie. Our kitchen even had a short counter that she said was “just made for me”.

Some of my favorite childhood (and teenage) memories are of having my friends over to create in the kitchen. We loved creating new cookies and rice krispie squares recipes. They didn’t always turn out… for example, fresh strawberry sugar cookies - good in theory right!

Here is an early photo of me and Christopher Reeves (aka Superman) which was filmed here at my grandparents farm.

 

Work life

I completed a 4-year University degree in Nutrition Food Science and a 1-year dietetic internship from the University of Alberta in 2007.

Over the past several years I have worked in a few key areas of practice. At the University of Calgary’s Clinical Trials unit focusing on research in athletes with Type 1 Diabetes. As the Provinical Practice Lead for Diabetes, Cardiovascular Disease, and Digestive Health as well as manager of Bariatrics / Obesity. In private practice consulting with Copeman Healthcare and now at Harrison Healthcare as well as consulting with the Calgary Police Services.

Throughout my career, my positions have led me to supporting dietitians and healthcare professional in nutrition care, policy, and practice. Ensuring accurate, up-to-date, and consistent practice is achieved.

I continue to mentor and support dietitians in evidence-based knowledge and experience through translating leading research into practice and training hundreds of dietitian’s in supporting client care.