Melissa McAllister
Online Vegetarian Dietitian Practicing Across Ontario and Quebec
Hi! I'm Melissa, a bilingual vegetarian dietitian, my approach is grounded in active listening, patient-centred care, and taking the time to understand the full picture.
When clients come in with weight-related concerns, I do not focus on strict weekly weight-loss targets. Instead, I consider eating patterns, health goals, relationship with food, and realistic behaviour changes. My goal is to support long-term health in a way that feels respectful, practical, and sustainable.
Pregnancy & Gestational Diabetes
I have experience in gestational diabetes, pre-gestational diabetes, and multiple pregnancy clinics. I work with each person’s current diet and adapt it to support both the parent and baby. My goal is to make nutrition feel manageable during a stage of life where needs can change quickly.
Balanced Vegetarian & Plant-Based Eating
As someone who has been vegetarian for several years, I understand both the personal and practical sides of plant-based eating. I help clients build balanced meals, meet their protein needs, and find plant-based options that fit their routines, preferences, and nutritional needs.
I have supported children and adolescents with digestive concerns, including IBS, Crohn’s disease, colitis, IBD, and other gastrointestinal challenges. I also have experience with enteral nutrition, nutrition support, and some FODMAP-related approaches in pediatric care.
Pediatric, Child & Adolescent Nutrition
Most of my clinical experience has focused on children and adolescents from 0 to 18 years old. I have supported children with growth concerns, prematurity, feeding difficulties, oral supplementation, formula needs, texture challenges, and complex medical conditions.
Intuitive Eating & Relationship With Food
I support an approach that considers the client’s relationship with food, not just what is on the plate. I have training and internship experience in intuitive eating, anti-diet, and weight-neutral approaches, and I aim to help clients build a more positive and sustainable way of eating.
About Melissa McAllister, Vegetarian Registered Dietitian
Bachelor of Science in Nutritional Science, Dietetics Major – McGill University
Registered Dietitian with the College of Dietitians of Ontario
Professional Dietitian-Nutritionist with the Ordre des diététistes-nutritionnistes du Québec
Droit de prescrire from the ODNQ
Recipient of the Prix Parcours universitaire d’exception from the ODNQ
Melissa and Her Journey with Plant-Based Nutrition
What motivated you to become a dietitian?
My passion for nutrition began with my own childhood experience as a very selective eater. I was the kind of child who could eat plain pasta with Alfredo sauce every day for months, and who was often hesitant to try foods I did not recognize or feel familiar with.
As I got older and became more open to trying new foods, I started to realize just how vast the world of food really is. I was discovering so many foods for the first time in my early teens, and each one opened up a new part of my life. With every new food I tried, I became more curious about where it came from, how it tasted, and how it could affect the body.
My interest in nutrition grew even more during my basic nutrition and physiology classes, where I learned how different foods can impact the body. I also became more curious about the people around me, including friends, family members, and acquaintances, and how they approached cooking and eating in their daily lives.
Many people in my life live with chronic diseases or conditions, or participate in activities and sports where nutrition can play an important role. My curiosity, love of learning, and desire to help others feel and function their best aligned naturally with the core practices of dietetics. My time in the Dietetics program at McGill University strengthened this motivation and encouraged me to keep expanding my knowledge so I can better guide others, and myself, toward happier and healthier lives.
Why are you plant-based?
Get the most out of your plant-based lifestyle with Melissa’s help!