A thoughtful guide who listens first.
Christina LaFleur, RDN, LD, registered dietitian and founder of Winter Oak Wellness.
I became a dietitian because I saw how much food shapes health.
I stayed curious because I saw how much more there was to the story. Today I help people understand their unique biology and take back control of their health, starting with their story.
From long-term care to prevention.
Early in my career, I worked in skilled nursing and long-term care. I cared deeply for the people I served, but it was discouraging to watch so many of them suffer, and too often die, from chronic diseases that had been building quietly for years. I kept thinking: what if we had reached them sooner?
That question changed my direction. I wanted to be on the other side of the story, helping people prevent disease and take control of their health while there was still time to change its course.
Looking deeper for the root cause
I pursued additional training in Integrative and Functional Nutrition. There I learned what I still believe: the gut is almost always the first place to start. Yet even as clients improved, I kept sensing there was something deeper underneath.
That's what led me to genetics. The genetic markers I use are low-penetrance: they don't diagnose disease or determine your future. They show tendencies, and those tendencies can be influenced by nutrition, lifestyle, and targeted supplements. For many of my clients, this was the missing piece. It finally explained why their body responds the way it does.
Building a fuller picture
Each step of my training grew out of what my clients needed:
- The Organic Acids Test (OAT) pairs naturally with your genetic blueprint. Your genes show your tendencies, and the OAT gives a snapshot of what's happening in your body right now.
- DUTCH CAR cortisol testing came next, because I saw how deeply stress affects nearly every client's health.
- Functional breathing. How we breathe has a powerful effect on stress, so I trained as an Oxygen Advantage Functional Breathing Instructor. Breathing matters for brain health too, since the brain uses about 20% of the body's oxygen.
- Brain health. When brain-health concerns appeared in clients' genetic results, I trained as a ReCODE 2.0 and PreCODE practitioner, focused on reducing risk factors for cognitive decline.
- Histamine. So many clients showed a genetic tendency toward histamine overload that I completed 28 hours of specialized training through Integrative and Functional Nutrition. Supporting clients with histamine-related concerns is now a significant part of my practice.
- Herbal support. I trained with Beyond Balance so I can thoughtfully recommend their herbal formulas when they fit a client's needs.
Why it matters to me
Every piece of training I've added came from listening to my clients and asking, what else could help? My goal has never been just better lab numbers. It's helping you understand your body, take back control of your health, and keep doing the things and loving the people that matter most to you.
That's why I start every relationship the same way: with your story.
My mission is to help reduce the burden of chronic disease, cognitive decline, and weight-related health challenges so you can spend more time with the people you love and continue doing the things that bring meaning and joy to your life.
I believe that health is personal. Rather than relying on one-size-fits-all recommendations, I work to uncover the root causes behind your symptoms and health concerns. By combining personalized nutrition, genetics, functional testing, and practical lifestyle strategies, I help you create a clear path forward, saving you time, reducing frustration, and focusing on the solutions most likely to support your unique needs.
Whether you are seeking answers for ongoing health concerns, looking to optimize your health through personalized nutrition, or taking proactive steps to protect your brain and future well-being, I am here to guide and support you every step of the way.
Qualified to go deeper.
- → Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN, LD)
- → Certificate in Integrative and Functional Nutrition
- → Certified 3X4 Genetics Practitioner
- → ReCODE 2.0 Practitioner: trained in an emerging, personalized approach to cognitive decline that has shown promise in early studies
- → PreCODE Practitioner: trained in evidence-informed strategies to support brain health and reduce modifiable risk factors associated with cognitive decline
- → Oxygen Advantage Functional Breathing Instructor
- → Beyond Balance herbal formulas training
Understanding before solutions.
I reject one-size-fits-all health advice. I believe meaningful health improvement requires understanding the individual behind the symptoms. Testing is a tool, never the starting point.
Story Before Data
Your story is always the starting point. Testing supports understanding but never replaces listening.
Integrative Pattern Recognition
I look for meaningful connections across your symptoms, history, nutrition, lifestyle, genetics, and functional testing.
Practical Application
The goal is not simply providing information. It's helping you apply what you learn in realistic and sustainable ways.