In Conversation with Eleni Georgiou - Dietitian + Nutritionist
Tell us a little bit about yourself?
My name is Eleni and I am a Dietitian and Nutritionist working in private practice in Brisbane at Tree of Life Nutrition. I’ve been a part of the Nutrition and Dietetics industry for over 10 years now and have definitely seen my fair share of moving trends. I have a strong Mediterranean background growing up Greek, and embarking on a career based on food seemed only natural! I focus my time on one-on-one consultations with patients however I have been involved at a community level as well through being a guest speaker and lecturer for various health groups, and have written articles for the ABC, and local newsletters.
WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO BECOME A DIETITIAN AND NUTRITIONIST SPECIALISING IN GUT HEALTH?
It’s funny because during my years of study, gut health was something that was skimmed across hidden beneath separate topics, so I never was able to appreciate or understand just how important gut health was. As I started practicing in the ‘real world’, I found that I was constantly hearing that my patients had been diagnosed with IBS, or always have had gut discomfort and how it had become their ‘normal’. So, I started looking more into it through researching the latest evidence and picking the brain and experience of my mentor, fellow Dietitian, Desi Carlos. Boy oh boy did I open up a can of worms and am now so thankful that I did.
Now knowing more about gut health and how it influences our physical and mental health, I now see how I can truly change someone’s life purely through rebalancing and fuelling the gut microbiome. We underestimate not just the physical impact of poor gut health, but also the mental drain it can create. Have you ever avoided travelling or going out because you were worried about what food there is available, or maybe because you weren’t sure of where the nearest bathroom would be? Taking that burden away changes someone’s life, not to mention changes their health for the better!
IN YOUR EXPERIENCE, WHAT ARE THE MOST SIGNIFICANT HEALTH BENEFITS OF THE MEDITERRANEAN DIET?
How much time do you have?! Any patient that walks in my door always walks out with applying the Mediterranean Diet, whether it is after their first consultation or their tenth! The end outcome and goal of diet and lifestyle no matter the condition or health concern, we guarantee that the principles of the Mediterranean Diet will provide benefits. I call the Mediterranean Diet the ‘one-stop shop’ because it truly has all we can ask for. The key factors of the Mediterranean Diet are its ability to reduce inflammation, increase healthy fats and reduce saturated fats, increase fibre and low GI carbohydrates whilst reducing refined sugars, and not to mention the flavours are delicious.
The irony of the word ‘diet’ in this case typically means that the patient actually needs to include MORE and eat MORE as the Mediterranean Diet is about including all the good things, not just reducing the undesirable foods. Through these principles, the Mediterranean Diet can improve someone’s chronic disease status whether it be diabetes or heart disease, it can reduce inflammation in conditions such as Endometriosis, PCOS, Fibromyalgia, and Rheumatoid Arthritis, and it can also help with Fertility!
How integral is extra virgin olive oil to your health philosophy, and what specific benefits about Greek extra virgin olive oil do you find most important?
For us at Tree of Life Nutrition, extra virgin olive oil has its own guideline! We pay so much respect to the inclusion of olive oil and the benefits justify the focus. One of the most important parts of the Mediterranean Diet is the balance of healthy and less healthy fats i.e. saturated and unsaturated fats. Extra virgin olive oil is a champion when it comes to maintaining HDL cholesterol levels in the blood due to its monounsaturated fat oleic acid. What sets olive oil apart from other monounsaturated fats is the high level of carotenoids and polyphenols that contribute to other health benefits. It has anti-inflammatory properties due to the naturally occurring substance oleocanthal (an antioxidant).
What are some non-negotiable things you do everyday for your health? (Physical, mental, spiritual)
Growing up in a Greek family, there was always such emphasis on family and following a Mediterranean lifestyle rather than just the food. Meal times were, and are so important to me and I make it a non-negotiable in my household that dinner is a time for family. This is a time when we can debrief about our day, talk about the food, talk about what is on our minds, maybe sometimes we eat in complete silence! The point is this mealtime brings everyone together, and that honestly talks to my physical, mental, and spiritual health.
Another non-negotiable for me personally is to reduce my screen time after 8.30 pm. Sleep is so much more important than we think, not just for rest, but gut rest, and metabolism rest, BRAIN rest. If I don’t pay respect to my sleep, I really do feel the impact through my eating, mood, tiredness, fatigue, and motivation.
When did you first discover Phileos and what do you think makes it stand out compared to other olive oils?
I was actually doing work experience at Tree of Life Nutrition throughout my study years and it was something that was stocked in our clinic, as well as a product that my colleagues couldn’t stop talking about. Naturally, I looked into the product more and when we were lucky enough to have Lou chat at our events, I was gripping on to every word to know just what was so great about it. Clearly, I was (easily and quickly) convinced and now it’s liquid gold to me! I tell Lou all the time that this oil has become a form of currency when I am at my parent’s house. Mum tends to hide it and has to know exactly how I am going to use it before she allows me to even touch it! That is coming from a Greek mother too...olive oil is its own food group. Straight off the bat, without even getting into the health benefits, the taste is incredible.
Do you recommend Phileos to your clients?
Oh absolutely, I am probably a broken record at this point! I always describe extra virgin olive oil as medicine rather than just an addition for our food, and we would prefer the best quality medicine, right? Once I describe the benefits of extra virgin olive oil and the amazing taste of this particular one, patients are always keen to give it a go which results in exclusive use of Phileos.
What is your favourite recipe using Phileos?
For me it is simple, the taste of Phileos is its own recipe! I always looked at olive oil as an addition to a meal or marinade/dressing rather than it standing on its own. With the taste of Phileos, there is no need for all the bells and whistles. My favourite thing to do is steam up various green vegetables such as green beans, broccoli, snow peas, and bok choy and drizzle (I mean drown) them in Phileos with a dash of lemon juice. Honestly, that’s it! When I first started doing this, no one believed me that it was purely olive oil.