Welcome!
Healing Through Food, One Delicious Meal At a Time
My Story Starts Before I Knew It Did
I grew up in a time when nobody talked about food allergies, or that what you ate could be making you sick. When my tonsils were constantly swollen as a kid, we just took them out. When I had constant cavities throughout childhood, in a house without sugary treats, nobody questioned it. Looking back now, I can see my teeth were revealing nutritional deficiencies, but we just didn’t know it.
Fast forward to my 30s: daily headaches, joint pain, severe hay fever every spring, and rapid weight gain. I was taking pain relievers and antihistamines just to go outside. I went to doctors and was told, over and over again, that nothing was wrong – I just needed to eat better and exercise more.
Then, during a routine facial, my esthetician noticed my persistently red cheeks and asked if I’d ever been tested for food sensitivities. That one question changed everything for me.
She referred me to a local nutritionist who tested me and came back with: “I think you’re sensitive to gluten and dairy – stop eating them immediately.” She sent me home with supplements, self-care practice, and a long list of foods to eliminate to give my digestive system a chance to heal. I was so desperate and I was willing to try anything.
Within days, my headaches were gone. After two weeks, my joints had stopped hurting. By three or four months, I had lost nearly 40 pounds – without changing anything else.
That was my awakening to the immense power of food.
From Patient to Chef
After that diagnosis, I found myself replacing everything in my pantry. On one memorable (and expensive) trip to Whole Foods, a catalog for the Institute for Integrative Nutrition caught my eye by the exit. It felt like a lightning bolt. I enrolled in their year-long program in 2004.
One of the guest speakers was Anne Marie Colbin, founder of the Natural Gourmet Culinary Institute in New York City. She spoke about the healing properties of food and I knew immediately that I had to go to her school. As soon as I graduated, I realized I didn’t just want to feed myself in this new way. I wanted to do it for others, too.
I’m Andrea Sprague, certified Nutritional Therapy Practitioner and Professional Chef.
For almost 20 years, I’ve been cooking for clients navigating food allergies, autoimmune diseases, digestive issues, cancer treatment, and recovery from surgery. Through all of it, I’ve learned one thing above all else: food is one of the most powerful tools we have.
My approach isn’t about following a perfect protocol. I’ve cooked every healing diet there is – GAPS, FODMAP, Paleo, vegan, raw, gluten-free, and more – and I’ve seen that what works is deeply individual, and changes over time. Raw food might not be right for everyone forever, but it can be profoundly healing at the right moment. The same goes for vegetarian, or anti-inflammatory, or elimination diets. There is no single answer. There’s only your answer.
What I bring to the table is the ability to hear your story, spot the through-line, find the origin, and help you create a path forward – one that doesn’t feel like deprivation. Because I believe deeply that food should be delicious. Everyone deserves to enjoy what they eat.
My Training & Credentials
Chef, Natural Gourmet Culinary Institute, New York City, 2007 (specializing in whole, natural, and healing foods)
Certified by the Institute for Integrative Nutrition (IIN), 2004
Certified Nutritional Therapy Practitioner (NTA), 2016
Certified Wahls Health Professional, 2018
Featured in Prevention Magazine and the IBS for Dummies cookbook
What I believe
Food As Medicine (and as a Relationship)
I believe food is one of the most powerful tools we have to heal the body. With it, we can calm inflammation and support long-term vitality – but it’s also deeply emotional and personal. My work is rooted in culinary medicine: translating nutrition science into real, delicious food that people can actually sustain. I help clients move away from fear, restriction, and confusion around food and toward confidence, nourishment, and self-trust.
Bio-individuality & Compassion Over Perfection
There is no one-size-fits-all way to eat. I honor bio-individuality and meet people where they are – whether they’re navigating food allergies, autoimmune disease, hormone shifts, gut issues, or recovery from illness. I value progress over perfection, realistic changes over extreme protocols, and compassion over shame. Healing happens when people feel supported, not judged.
Education that Builds Independence & Confidence
My goal is not to make clients depend on me – it’s to teach you how to think about food. I help you read labels, make smart substitutions, and create meals that work in real life. I value transparency, practicality, and skill-building so you leave with tools you can use forever. Knowledge is power when it’s accessible and actionable.
Ready to figure out what your body is telling you?
Your body is capable of more than you might think. It just needs the right support. Send me a message and let’s figure out what that looks like for you.