The Wellful Welcomes Sammi Haber Brondo!
Sammi is founder of Sammi Brondo Nutrition, a private practice in NYC, published author of The Essential Vegetable Cookbook, and shares her All Foods Fit approach on her Instagram and Tik Tok accounts @veggiesandchocolate.
Introduce Yourself!
Hi! I’m Sammi Haber Brondo. I’m a registered dietitian with a private practice in NYC, Sammi Brondo Nutrition and the author of The Essential Vegetable Cookbook. I practice an all foods fit approach to nutrition and believe that in order for our diets to be sustainable, they also have to be realistic and enjoyable. I share more about this philosophy in my membership program, All Foods Fit, and on my Instagram and TikTok accounts, both @veggiesandchocolate.
What does health mean to you?
To me, health is about nutrition, but even more than that, it’s also about our mindset. On top of a balanced diet, it’s so important to have a healthy relationship with food. Health means not only including all foods in your diet, but also doing so in a way that feels stress free and good.
How did you get started and what inspired you to start your business?
I always knew I wanted a private practice eventually, but got my first job as a dietitian in a hospital in order to first have stable income. While in the hospital, I worked on growing my own business almost immediately and would work on my social media content and see clients during evenings and weekends. Eventually, after about 3 years of that hustle, I felt financially comfortable enough to leave my hospital job in order to work for myself and in my private practice full time. I’ve always been a self-starter, so having my own private practice was always a goal of mine. I love being able to teach my own philosophy to clients and do it in a way that feels authentic to me. Always having that goal in the back of my mind, on top of the need to also support myself financially, motivated me to get where I am now.
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“I’ve always been a self-starter, so having my own private practice was always a goal of mine. I love being able to teach my own philosophy to clients and do it in a way that feels authentic to me. Always having that goal in the back of my mind, on top of the need to also support myself financially, motivated me to get where I am now. ”
What was the biggest challenge you faced in this process and how did you keep yourself motivated?
At a certain point, while working both in the hospital and on my own practice, I remember having zero free time. I was waking up around 5am, going to the hospital from 8am-4:30pm, and then working on my own business from thereafter and on weekends. Friends would ask to make plans, and I literally couldn’t find any time to do so. That was when I started realizing that I needed to change something, but of course, deciding to leave my stable, full time job was a scary decision. I wanted the decision to be as risk averse as possible, so I continued like this for another few months before finally deciding to leave my full time job. It was a lot of work, but knowing that I was so close to making my dream of working for myself full time happen continued to keep me motivated.
What is the most important message you want your viewers to receive through your platform?
I focus on 2 main ideas when it comes to nutrition, which are also the most important messages that I want viewers to receive: 1) that nutrition should be easy and 2) that all foods can fit. We have to eat every day, multiple times per day. Creating a balanced, healthy and filling meal should be simple and quick – it definitely shouldn’t be time consuming, stressful or involve any obscure ingredients. On top of that, I believe that an all foods fit mentality is necessary for a sustainable long term diet. Restricting any food or food group – unless for medical reasons – pretty much never works in the long run.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?
Growing up, my grandma would always tell me “you can be anything you want to be, just set your mind to it” and I think her advice has always stuck with me. Nothing comes easy, but it’s so powerful to feel like you can reach your goals if you work hard to achieve them.
What is your favorite way to relax?
I love taking long walks outside with friends, or right now, with my puppy, Billie (or let’s be real… as far as she’ll walk, which isn’t very far). I also love winding down with a good book or a TV series.
What advice would you give to your early 20’s self?
Stop restricting what you eat! In college and my early 20’s, I was self-conscious and insecure. I thought restricting what I ate was the answer to manipulating my body – and it so was not. Instead, once I learned how to properly fuel my body with nutritious, balanced meals, and allow all foods in a way that didn’t create any unnecessary guilt, I also finally became at peace with my body. This peace is one of the most freeing feelings anyone can feel – I wish I had known earlier that that kind of peace of mind existed and that it was possible to feel comfortable in my own body without obsession or manipulation.
What’s something you are currently obsessed with? (could be anything that comes to your mind! Object, things, place, restaurant, product)
First thing that comes to mind after spending the past 8ish weeks at home: my new puppy! She’s made staying home so much more fun and enjoyable. Also, time outside! I’ve always loved getting outside, but quarantine has truly given me a new appreciation for nature and fresh air.
Current tv show?
I just finished the series finale of How to Get Away with Murder and will probably not stop thinking about for another week. The writers are geniuses!
Current book?
I’m a huge reader, but admittedly haven’t picked up a book since getting my puppy back in March. The last book I read and absolutely loved though was The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah.
Favorite podcast?
I may be the only millennial who doesn’t listen to podcasts – I’ve never listened to one!
Where can the audience find you and what are you most currently up to? (share handle, current podcasts, books)
Come hang with me on Instagram or TikTok @veggiesandchocolate, read more on my blog www.sammibrondo.com/blog, or check out my cookbook, The Essential Vegetable Cookbook.
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“Once I learned how to properly fuel my body with nutritious, balanced meals, and allow all foods in a way that didn’t create any unnecessary guilt, I also finally became at peace with my body. This peace is one of the most freeing feelings anyone can feel – I wish I had known earlier that that kind of peace of mind existed and that it was possible to feel comfortable in my own body without obsession or manipulation. ”
