Taft Draper Nutrition

Taft Draper Nutrition Personalized nutrition coaching that is integrated into your lifestyle! Based in Asheville, NC. Insurance and Private Pay.

Nutrition coaching isn’t a one-size-fits-all diet plan. It’s personalized, evidence-based support that helps you use foo...
03/06/2026

Nutrition coaching isn’t a one-size-fits-all diet plan. It’s personalized, evidence-based support that helps you use food as a strategic tool for your health. At Taft Draper Nutrition, your journey starts with a thorough assessment of your medical history, lifestyle, habits, and health goals. From there, we design a nutrition plan that fits your body and your life... not a cookie-cutter diet.

Here’s what nutrition coaching actually does:
⃗⃗➡️ We dig into what’s behind your symptoms, not just what’s on your plate.
⃗⃗➡️ We support you with practical habits you can keep long-term.
⃗⃗➡️ We work with your family doctor or specialist when needed to keep your care aligned.

Nutrition coaching can help alleviate or manage a wide range of health concerns, including:
✔ Gastrointestinal issues (like IBS & bloating)
✔ Diabetes & blood sugar management
✔ Heart disease & cholesterol
✔ Celiac disease & gluten-free eating
✔ Chronic fatigue & low energy
✔ Headaches & food triggers
✔ Chronic pain & inflammation
✔ Depression/anxiety
✔ Weight management & metabolism support
✔ Sports performance & recovery
✔ Food sensitivities & gut imbalances
✔ Support during recovery from substance misuse

Important: Taft Draper, RD, is a Registered Dietitian, not a medical doctor, and does not diagnose conditions, BUT he partners with you and your care team to use nutrition to support your treatment and wellness.

Want help turning food into a tool for real change?
📩 DM or click the link in bio to learn more. 💚

March in Asheville can feel heavier than December. 🌧️The holidays are long gone. Spring isn’t quite here. The gray linge...
03/03/2026

March in Asheville can feel heavier than December. 🌧️

The holidays are long gone. Spring isn’t quite here. The gray lingers.

If your mood dips this time of year, you’re not alone. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) often peaks right now.

While nutrition isn’t a replacement for therapy or medication, it is foundational for brain chemistry.

Here’s where to focus:
🍣 Omega-3 fats (salmon, sardines, chia)
☀️ Vitamin D (test, don’t guess)
🌾 Quality carbs to support serotonin
🧠 B vitamins for neurotransmitters
🥒 Fermented + high-fiber foods for the gut-brain axis
🍽️ Stable blood sugar at every meal

Small shifts. Consistent inputs. Big impact over time.

If March feels heavy, it’s not a personal failure. It may be biology asking for support.

Save this for later and share with someone who needs it.

Did you know that grapefruit can interact with medications in ways that might incur harmful side effects?Grapefruit pack...
02/26/2026

Did you know that grapefruit can interact with medications in ways that might incur harmful side effects?

Grapefruit packs a lot of nutritional value, but it's important to doublecheck whether the medications you take may be at risk of interacting with the grapefruit and causing unwanted toxicity or other side effects.

The FDA warns that enzymes in the grapefruit may block the metabolization of some drugs and potentially increase the potency of the drug, increasing your risk for liver and muscle damage.

Here are examples of some types of drugs with which grapefruit can interact:
✔️ Some statin drugs to lower cholesterol, such as Zocor (simvastatin) and Lipitor (atorvastatin).
✔️ Some drugs that treat high blood pressure, such as Procardia and Adalat CC (both nifedipine).
✔️ Some organ-transplant rejection drugs, such as Neoral and Sandimmune capsule or oral solution (both cyclosporine).
✔️ Some anti-anxiety drugs, such as BuSpar (buspirone).
✔️ Some corticosteroids that treat Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, such as
✔️ Entocort EC and Uceris tablet (both budesonide).
✔️ Some drugs that treat abnormal heart rhythms, such as Pacerone and Cordarone tablet (both amiodarone).
✔️ Some antihistamines, such as Allegra (fexofenadine).

Medications interact differently with different bodies so it's important to discuss with your healthcare professional if you feel you have concerns.

Just a gentle reminder that I offer free discovery calls to see if a wellness partner could help you reach your health g...
02/23/2026

Just a gentle reminder that I offer free discovery calls to see if a wellness partner could help you reach your health goals and if I could be the right partner for you.

To make it even easier and more convenient, I can serve clients worldwide through remote session.

Your deserve to put your health first. If you feel the quality of your life could improve from integrative nutrition counseling, please reach out 👉 https://taftdraper.com/

A healthy outside starts from a healthy inside.
02/19/2026

A healthy outside starts from a healthy inside.

People often ask us if insurance covers nutrition counseling?Taft Draper Nutrition accepts Blue Cross Blue Shield & Aetn...
02/17/2026

People often ask us if insurance covers nutrition counseling?

Taft Draper Nutrition accepts Blue Cross Blue Shield & Aetna insurance. Not all plans pay for nutrition counseling. We will call to verify your insurance to see whether or not it covers nutrition counseling. We will let you know if not so you can decide to make the appointment!

You will be provided with a receipt that you may submit to your insurance company for potential reimbursement.

If you're interested in finding out if you're covered, schedule a complimentary consultation today 👉 https://taftdraper.com/

Depending on where you live in the world, winter can mean some pretty grey, dreary days...not really conducive to soakin...
02/13/2026

Depending on where you live in the world, winter can mean some pretty grey, dreary days...not really conducive to soaking up the natural sun, and consequently, not getting your recommended daily 600 - 800 IU of Vitamin D (depending on age).

Getting natural sun is the best source of Vitamin D, but here are a few foods to incorporate to support the recommended intake.

🎣 Fatty fish like salmon, herring and sardines, cod liver oil and canned tuna can provide anywhere from 214 to 526 IU of your daily recommended vitamin D levels.

🥚 Egg yolks. The yolk from one large egg contains 37 IU of vitamin D, or 5% of the DV.

🍄 Wild mushrooms, specifically morel mushrooms, can provide 17% of the DV. Mushrooms are the only non-animal source of vitamin D, albeit, vitamin D2 rather than the vitamin D3 produced by animals sources, which may be less effective, but can still raise blood levels of vitamin D. Note that most commercially grown mushrooms are grown in the dark and don't count for a vitamin D source.

🥛 Vitamin D fortified foods like soy and cow's milk, oj and cereal and oatmeals. Check food labels for percentages.

And, of course, if needed, there are good supplements out there that can help support you in getting the optimal amount of vitamin D.

If you're interested in finding out what vitamins and nutrients your body most needs, get in touch and we can develop a personalized nutrition plan for you, including the supplements that would be best for your needs.

🍕 National Pizza Day Can Still Be Healthy 🍕Yes, pizza can be both delicious and supportive of your health. This one keep...
02/09/2026

🍕 National Pizza Day Can Still Be Healthy 🍕

Yes, pizza can be both delicious and supportive of your health. This one keeps the flavor you love and sneaks in some serious nutrition...no sad “diet pizza” vibes here.

Enjoy This Go-To Healthy Pizza Recipe

🍕 Base:
• Whole-grain or cauliflower crust (or naan if you’re in a hurry)

🍕 Sauce:
• Olive oil + garlic + crushed tomatoes
• Add oregano, basil, and a pinch of red pepper flakes

🍕 Cheese:
• Part-skim mozzarella or a light sprinkle of goat cheese
• Dairy-free? Cashew mozzarella works great

🍕 Toppings (mix + match):
• Sautéed mushrooms
• Spinach or arugula
• Roasted red peppers
• Red onion
• Grilled chicken, turkey sausage, or chickpeas for protein

🍕 Finish:
• Bake until bubbly
• Top with fresh basil and a drizzle of olive oil or balsamic glaze

Balanced carbs. Quality protein. Fiber, color, and flavor.
That’s how you pizza and feel good after.

Happy National Pizza Day 🍕
—your gut will thank you.

You might see that I’m a Certified LEAP MRT Therapist and wonder what that actually means.In simple terms: it means I’m ...
02/04/2026

You might see that I’m a Certified LEAP MRT Therapist and wonder what that actually means.

In simple terms: it means I’m trained to help people identify food and chemical sensitivities that may be contributing to chronic symptoms—things like digestive issues, migraines, joint pain, skin problems, fatigue, or brain fog.

LEAP stands for Lifestyle Eating and Performance, and MRT (Mediator Release Test) is a blood test that measures inflammatory responses in the body to foods and food chemicals. Unlike guessing or eliminating everything “just in case,” this approach gives us personalized, data-driven insight into what your body may be reacting to.

As a Certified LEAP MRT Therapist, I’m trained to:
• Interpret MRT results accurately
• Create a customized anti-inflammatory eating plan
• Support symptom reduction through strategic food reintroduction
• Help you eat confidently without unnecessary restriction

This isn’t about perfection or cutting out foods forever. It’s about understanding your body, calming inflammation, and helping you feel better—often when nothing else has worked.

If you’ve been dealing with ongoing symptoms and haven’t found clear answers, this approach may be worth exploring.

👉 I offer a free discovery call to talk through your symptoms and see if LEAP MRT could be a good fit for you.

Living with celiac disease isn’t just “going gluten-free.”It’s the constant label-reading.The fear of cross-contaminatio...
02/01/2026

Living with celiac disease isn’t just “going gluten-free.”

It’s the constant label-reading.
The fear of cross-contamination.
The stomach pain, fatigue, brain fog, and wondering why your body still feels off even when you’re “doing everything right.”

I see this all the time.

Many of the people I work with feel overwhelmed, restricted, and honestly, tired of guessing. Celiac disease requires more than cutting out bread. It takes a strategy that protects your gut, supports healing, and helps you feel confident eating again.

As a licensed dietitian and nutritionist, I help people with celiac disease:
• Identify hidden sources of gluten
• Create balanced, satisfying meals (without fear)
• Support gut healing and nutrient absorption
• Reduce symptoms and regain energy
• Build a sustainable plan for real life, not perfection

You don’t have to navigate this alone, and you don’t have to settle for “this is just how it is now.”

If you’re struggling with celiac disease and want real support, I offer a free discovery call to talk through your symptoms, challenges, and goals and see if working together makes sense.

👉 Book your free discovery call and let’s make living with celiac feel manageable again.
TaftDraper.com

Stress, sleep deprivation, light sensitivity, dehydration, changes in hormones & skipping meals have all been known to t...
01/29/2026

Stress, sleep deprivation, light sensitivity, dehydration, changes in hormones & skipping meals have all been known to trigger headaches, but did you know there are also several food and drink triggers that be responsible?

The top food & drink triggers that may be causing your headaches:

🍷 Alcohol, especially red wine. Certain chemicals in wine & other alcoholic beverages cause the blood vessels to constrict, leading to headaches. Because alcohol can also be a source of dehydration, it's imperative to stay hydrated when drinking.

🧀 Certain cheeses also top the list. Cheese, especially aged or fermented cheeses, like feta, bleu & Parmesan, contain tyramine, a substance that forms as the cheese ages causing the breakdown of its proteins. Tyramine is a chemical that causes blood vessels to narrow, your blood pressure to increase, causing headaches.

🥒 Tyramine can be found in other fermented foods, like kimchi & kombucha & any pickled vegetable (like pickled okra & pickled jalapenos.)

🥤Artificial sweeteners can be found in almost all processed foods & drinks. Studies show that Aspartame inhibits the production of dopamine and serotonin in the brain, and since dopamine has been proven effective at reducing headaches, the opposite may also be true.

🥓 Processed meats, like ham, bacon, sausage, hot dogs, salami & pastrami... It is believed that the nitrates used to preserve the color & flavor of these cured meats release nitric oxide into the blood, which is thought to dilate the blood vessels in the brain, causing the headache.

🥡 Foods containing monosodium glutamate, or MSG, are also thought to be a common trigger. MSG is prevalent in meat tenderizers, soy sauce, and many types of Americanized Chinese food. MSG can be disguised on packaged foods as a “natural preservative.”

I recommend a food journal. By evaluating what you ate on your headache days, you can identify if there’s a meal that often precedes the episode. Some triggers cause headaches right away, others may take up to a day.

Get in touch if you need support 👉 https://taftdraper.com/

The  #1 Spice Recommended to Lower Cholesterol is....👇Cinnamon!Cinnamon has proven to be the  #1 go-to spice for high ch...
01/27/2026

The #1 Spice Recommended to Lower Cholesterol is....
👇

Cinnamon!

Cinnamon has proven to be the #1 go-to spice for high cholesterol. In part because higher cholesterol levels are often correlated with high glucose levels, and, in studies, cinnamon has been a factor to help reduce blood sugar in people with diabetes.

Cinnamon also boasts antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, so using it to enhance the flavor of your food can support heart health and have other health benefits.

If you have high cholesterol levels and aren't already, experts recommend adding spices like cinnamon, cayenne pepper, garlic, ginger and turmeric to your diet to support optimal health.

As Greek physician, Hippocrates, famously stated, “Let food be thy medicine, and medicine thy food.”

Address

27 Doctors Drive
Hendersonville, NC
28792

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+18285518390

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