Our Approach

At Nest & Nurture, care is built around understanding your body in context - your hormones, digestion, metabolism, lifestyle, culture, and lived experience.

Our dietitian-led, multidisciplinary team works from a shared, evidence-informed and client-centred framework so your care feels thoughtful, consistent, and grounded.

What Guides Our Work

Nutrition-first, evidence-forward

Care is grounded in clinical nutrition science. Not trends, unnecessary restrictions, or shame-based advice. It’s tailored to your physiology and goals.
Lab-informed

We collaborate with nurse practitioners and use lab testing when it adds clarity, always interpreted in context.
Whole-life context

Sleep, stress, movement, work demands, and environmental factors are integrated into care planning.
Trauma-informed

We honour your body, your story, and the experiences that shaped how you show up to care. Your identity and healthcare experiences are met with curiosity and respect.
Compassion as a clinical standard

Care is collaborative, consent-based, and paced to what feels safe and sustainable.

From the Founder

Growing up, “period talk” was part of everyday life. There was no stigma around menstruation — my mom and grandma still ask me about my cycle, and I’m in my 30s. That openness shaped how I understand the body: as something to listen to, not fight, and sparked my early interest in health and nutrition.

Later, a nonstop university lifestyle and high-performance expectations coincided with ovarian cyst ruptures, severe PMS, eczema, and a complicated relationship with food. I learned quickly that health isn’t about the perfect “hack” — it’s about how you live, nourish, and care for yourself.

That belief became the foundation of The Good Life Dietitian: practical, evidence-based nutrition care for people navigating hormone concerns. As the work deepened, the need for more integrated, specialized support became clear.

Nest & Nurture is the evolution of that work. Built on the same evidence-forward, human-first approach, we bring together clinical nutrition, lab-informed care, lifestyle support, and community — helping people feel informed, supported, and back in rhythm, without losing the care and clarity that started it all.

Trista Chan, RD, MHSc
Founder

Our Team

Registered Dietitian
Consults available in English, French and Fulani

Binta Balde, RD, MSc

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
Endometriosis
Perimenopause
Disordered Eating Recovery
Gestational diabetes, Prediabetes, Type 2 Diabetes
Pre-conception, prenatal, Postpartum
Heart Disease, Fatty Liver
Sports Nutrition
Growing up in a West African household, food was never just food — it was connection, love, community, and identity. Our meals carried stories from home, nourished us, and grounded us in who we are. This upbringing shaped my passion for nutrition, cultural humility, and creating safer, more inclusive spaces for people to heal their relationship with food.
I hold a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition from the Université de Montréal and am currently completing a research-based master's in nutrition. I’m passionate about women’s health and nutrition across life stages. I know how overwhelming health information can be for those whose experiences are often overlooked. As a registered dietitian in both Québec and Ontario, I’ve worked with diverse populations managing chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, chronic kidney diseases, and heart diseases. I have also supported individuals in sports nutrition, helping them feel energized, strong, and connected to their bodies, without compromising the foods that bring them joy and belonging.
My approach centers culturally safe care, particularly for communities who may have felt unseen or misunderstood in traditional healthcare settings. With training in motivational interviewing, I work collaboratively through compassionate, sustainable, and evidence-based strategies tailored to your unique life.
My goal is to offer care that honours your body, your culture, and your lived reality, and I’m looking forward to support you on your wellness journey with consults inFrench, English, and Fulani.
Master of Science in Nutrition, Université de Montréal
Bachelor of Science in Nutrition Sciences, Université de Montréal

Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Educator
Consults available in English, Hindu and Punjabi

Prabhsimran Saini, RD, MHSc, CDE

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), Fertility, Gestational diabetes, Prediabetes, Type 2 Diabetes,
Heart Disease, Fatty Liver,
Vegetarian and Vegan Diets
I’m passionate about sharing how food, nutrition, and lifestyle changes can empower you to manage your health conditions.
As a Certified Diabetes Educator and having PCOS myself, I have learned how to better my symptoms through sustainable lifestyle changes, and I want to empower you to do the same!
I’m a strong believer that cultural foods can be part of a healthy, balanced diet. As one of the few South Asian dietitians in Canada, it’s become my mission to expand what healthy eating looks like. Yes, roti and rice can make a healthy plate! I’m dedicated to helping you incorporate your cultural foods in a way that supports your health goals.
With the latest evidence-based nutrition, support, and guidance, let’s work together to find a sustainable plan that works for you and your unique needs.
Certified Diabetes Educator
Master of Health Science in Nutrition Communication, Toronto Metropolitan University
Bachelor of Applied Science in Nutrition,Toronto Metropolitan University
Motivational Interviewing Certificate
Healthy Conversations Skills to Support Behavior Change Certification

Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Educator

Jackie Vykoukal, RD, MHSc, CDE

Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Reflux
Type 2 diabetes, Gestational diabetes
Perimenopause, Menopause
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
Endometriosis
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)
High Cholesterol and blood pressure
Navigating a diagnosis of PCOS, reading conflicting information on IBS or managing menopausal symptoms can feel overwhelming! Guiding you through the noise in the information age to support your health journey is what I find incredibly rewarding as a dietitian and I want to be alongside you every step of the way.  
I have a passion for women’s health and digestive health. I am committed to staying up-to-date on research in these areas, translating them into practical, evidence-based nutrition strategies. Throughout my career, I’ve recognized that people are more dynamic than their diagnoses so I utilize a holistic lens that acknowledges the role diet, food environment, sleep and mental well-being play in health.

My approach focuses on creating a non-judgmental space where we can have an open dialogue over components of health that are commonly stigmatized, invalidated or just not discussed enough! I also take into consideration culture and lifestyle without the need to compromise on foods of cultural significance. I look forward to working with you to create a practical plan that will leave you with the tools and confidence for long-term, sustainable success!
Certified Diabetes Educator
Master of Health Science in Nutrition Communication, Toronto Metropolitan University
Bachelor of Applied Science in Nutrition, University of Guelph
Monash University Low FODMAP Certification
Certified Craving Change® Facilitator

Tamana Azizi,BSW, MSW

Social Worker and Therapist

Hi, I’m Tamana! I’m a therapist and social worker who has deep experience supporting individuals across health and mental health settings, with a particular focus on emotional eating, body image, chronic health conditions, anxiety, stress, and life transitions.
Living with a chronic health condition can affect so much more than your physical health. It can impact your relationship with your body, your confidence, your identity, and your overall well-being. My philosophy of practice is rooted in creating a warm, collaborative, trauma-informed, and non-judgmental space where clients feel seen, heard, and supported.
I recognize that every person’s health journey is unique, and I strive to honour each individual’s values, culture, and lived experiences.
My work focuses on supporting individuals navigating the emotional impact of metabolic, hormonal and reproductive health concerns, alongside body image, emotional eating, stress, anxiety and major life transitions.
Having worked within an interdisciplinary healthcare team alongside physicians, nurses, and dietitians, I understand the complex relationship between physical and emotional health.
I aim to help clients better understand themselves, strengthen their relationship with themselves, and move toward lasting change in ways that honour their unique experiences and values.
My therapeutic approach is person-centred and trauma-informed, drawing from Cognitive Behavioural
Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Solution-Focused Therapy, mindfulness-based interventions, and Motivational Interviewing. Together, we will work toward developing supportive coping strategies while building greater self-compassion and resilience.
As a woman of colour, I also understand the importance of culturally responsive care and recognize how culture, identity, family, and lived experiences shape our relationship with both our mental and physical health. I am passionate about creating an inclusive space where clients feel safe bringing their whole selves into therapy.
Wherever you are in your journey, I look forward to supporting you with compassion, curiosity, and care.
Master of Social Work, University of Toronto
Bachelor of Social Work, York University
DBT Essentials (In progress)
Eating Disorder Sensitive: Education for Mental Health Care Providers, Body Brave
Mental Health First Aid, Mental Health Commission of Canada
Suicide Prevention, Risk Assessment & Management (SPRAM), Alberta Health Services

Maria Gaydarova, BSW, MSW, RSW

Social Worker and Therapist

Hi! My name is Maria Gaydarova (she/her), and I am a Registered Social Worker (BSc, MSW, RSW). I support individuals navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, life transitions, relationship challenges, emotion regulation difficulties, and concerns related to self-esteem, body image, and eating disorders. While I work with a range of concerns, I have specialized experience supporting individuals navigating body image concerns and eating disorders. My goal is to create a warm, collaborative space where you feel heard and understood while gaining insight into your experiences and developing practical tools for lasting change.
My experience across hospital, community, and specialized eating disorder settings has taught me that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to therapy. Every person's story is unique, and meaningful change begins with understanding your experiences, strengths, and goals.
I believe that our thoughts, emotions, and behaviours often make sense in the context of our experiences, relationships, and environment. Together, we will work to better understand these patterns while building practical skills that support meaningful and lasting change.
My practice is grounded in client-centred, trauma-informed, weight-neutral, strengths-based, and anti-oppressive perspectives. I draw from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), and mindfulness-based approaches while tailoring therapy to your goals, values, and lived experiences. I strive to create an LGBTQIA+ and neurodiversity-affirming space where clients feel safe bringing their authentic selves to therapy. My hope is that therapy becomes a place where you not only develop new coping strategies, but also deepen your self-understanding, cultivate self-compassion, and build confidence in navigating life's challenges.
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my cat, Willow, dancing, going to concerts, and trying new baking recipes.
I know that finding the right therapist is an important decision, and I am excited to connect with you during a free 15-minute meet-and-greet so we can explore whether working together feels like a good fit.
Master of Social Work, University of Toronto
HBSc (Psychology, Neuroscience and Behaviour), McMaster University
DBT Certification, PESI Canada
Eating Disorder Sensitive: Education for Mental Health Care Providers, Body Brave
Suicide First Aid, LivingWorks ASIST
Non-Violent Crisis Intervention, Crisis Prevention Institute
Cognitive Behavioural Theories and Clinical Social Work PracticeAdvanced Social Work, University of Toronto
Practice with Couples, University of Toronto
Social Work and Disability Practice: A Client and Family Centred Approach, University of Toronto

Noha Zaghlol, MScN, BS

Nurse Practitioner

I’m passionate about helping people reclaim their energy, balance their hormones, and feel like themselves again.
My journey into healthcare has been both professional and deeply personal. After years of navigating my own health challenges, including fatigue, pain, hormone imbalance, and autoimmune disease, I discovered Functional Medicine, and it changed everything.
I began my career in Emergency Medicine after graduating from the University of Ottawa in 2012 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, then earned a Critical Care Certificate, a Master of Science in Nursing, and my Primary Health Care Nurse Practitioner certification. Facing my own health struggles showed me how conventional medicine often misses the bigger picture.
Through advanced training with the Institute for Functional Medicine, I found tools that helped me heal and I’ve made it my mission to help others do the same.
I specialize in uncovering the root causes of chronic symptoms, especially those related to hormone imbalances, inflammation, and autoimmune conditions. I provide personalized care for conditions like PCOS, perimenopause, menopause, endometriosis, hypothyroidism, and more.
I also offer Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT), Testosterone Replacement, LDN and Regenerative Medicine therapies to help optimize how you feel as you age.
I believe that many of the symptoms we’ve come to accept as “normal”; like brain fog, bloating, fatigue, low libido, painful periods, or hot flashes are actually signs that your body is asking for support. And with the right approach, healing is possible.
Aging doesn’t have to mean declining. My goal is to empower you with the knowledge, tools, and care you need to feel vibrant, energized, and confident at every stage of life. Let’s work together to redefine what thriving health looks like.