Tristaca is a Registered Dietitian who recently relocated to Kelowna, BC after living in Halifax for 6 years. While in Nova Scotia, she founded Fueling with Food and built it into a thriving practice providing nutrition counselling and media communications both locally and nationally.  She also taught in the School of Nutrition and Dietetics at Acadia University. In fact, she continues to teach 5 Nutrition courses through Acadia’s distance education department.  Tristaca recently founded the first ever Canadian university convivium of Slow Food at Acadia, aimed at helping dietetics students foster an appreciation for high quality, socially responsible food. She has been a Sports Nutritionist for Dalhousie and Acadia University, the 2011 Canada Winter Games, the National Coaching Institute, as well as the nutrition expert with BodySense, an initiative from the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport aimed at fostering healthy body image in athletes. Tristaca is a member of Dietitians of Canada, the College of Dietitians of BC, and the Sport Nutrition Advisory Council of Canada.

She began her academic career in British Columbia, where she obtained an undergraduate degree in kinesiology and psychology from the University of Victoria. In 2003, she decided to pursue graduate studies earning a Masters of Science at McGill University, where she developed a tool designed to screen for disordered eating in athletes. She also completed a 48-week internship with Capital Health in Halifax, NS. Also, Tristaca is one of only a handful of dietitians across Canada that are responsible for developing the Canadian Dietetic Registration Examination – the national test that all dietitians must write in order to competently practise dietetics in Canada.

During the past several years, Tristaca has worked with a variety of populations ranging from health-care professionals, researchers, community members, and high-school and university students. In particular, she has devoted much of her research and clinical efforts to athletes and those with disordered eating. In fact, she recently spear-headed a collaboration between Acadia University and Magnolia Creek, a residential treatment center for eating disorders based in Alabama. This program will allow Acadia staff and faculty to receive mentorship and training to be better able to support students who may be struggling with disordered eating.

Tristaca has been featured in a variety of print, radio, and television media, including:

• Chatelaine
• Glow
• Canadian Running
• Today’s Parent
• Canadian Living
• Canadian Family
• Best Health
• BOOM
• Optimyz
• Canadian Living
• Flare
• The Coast newspaper
• The Metro newspaper
• The Chronicle Herald newspaper
• Health Journal
• Clearly Health
• CBC’s Mainstreet and Information Morning
• Eastlink’s Doc Talk
• CTV’s Live at 5
• Breakfast Television

Tristaca was invited to join Chatelaine magazine’s newly formed Health Advisory Board.  Stay tuned for more exciting appearances with the magazine.  See recent media appearances featuring our Dietitian.

Tristaca is eager to bring her passion for healthy living to the Okanagan.  To set up an appointment, please contact 778-484-3835 (FUEL) or send an inquiry from the contact page.