We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jessica Green. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jessica below.

Jessica, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today If you had a defining moment that you feel really changed the trajectory of your career, we’d love to hear the story and details.

It was less one specific moment and more a collection of moments and experiences that taught me the power of food as medicine. From my Dad having a heart attack when I was 10 years old to struggling with crippling gastrointestinal issues and struggling with depression and anxiety. Initially, like many individuals, In my own health journey, I was overwhelmed by the conflicting nutrition information available, struggled to determine which sources were reliable and trustworthy and was unclear about what I should really do to feel my best. Over the years, I have progressively made changes to my diet and wellness routine, all of which have supported by overall wellbeing. I was instructed by doctors to take an assortment of medication. While the medication worked for a period of time, symptoms would resurface.

Changing what I ate, how I eat, and my relationship with food changed my gut, which changed my brain, which supported me in getting to where I am today. By getting to the root cause, I was able to treat my underlying issues. And now, I am grateful to feel better than ever. I wish I had the tools and knowledge earlier. My desire to pursue a career in nutrition stems from my desire to empower others to make changes in their own lives through provision of nutrition education and health information that allow them to feel their best.. My goal is to help others radiate from the inside by living mindfully, vibrantly, and healthfully.

Jessica, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Food has always been more than fuel for me—it’s been a source of healing, identity, and advocacy.

By day, I work as a policy analyst, focused on the systems and structures that shape people’s health outcomes—things like food access, housing, healthcare equity, and economic mobility. But my path here has been anything but linear.

I started out in social work, where I worked closely with individuals and families navigating real-life challenges: trauma, poverty, disconnection from resources. What stood out to me again and again was how many people were trying to manage chronic health conditions, mental stress, or family wellness without access to one of the most basic forms of care—nutritious, affordable food. That planted the seed.

Then, I had my own experience with food as medicine. For years, I dealt with persistent gut issues—bloating, fatigue, food sensitivities—that traditional medicine often brushed off or offered quick fixes for. But it wasn’t until I began exploring the power of nutrition, microbiome health, and the mind-body connection that things truly began to shift. It was a turning point that showed me the transformative power of food—not just as sustenance, but as a pathway to healing and resilience.

That dual experience—professionally through social work and policy, and personally through my own healing—led me to pursue training in nutrition and nutrition education. Today, I combine all of those lenses in my work as a certified nutrition specialist candidate (a few weeks away from licensure!) and educator. I provide one-on-one counseling, facilitate community-based wellness workshops, and develop culturally responsive nutrition education for a variety of audiences – from students to athletes to new moms.

What sets me apart is my integrated approach—grounded in policy, shaped by lived experience, and delivered with compassion. I don’t view people as “problems to be fixed” or reduce health to a list of “good” or “bad” foods. I look at the whole person: their history, environment, culture, stress levels, access, and agency.

To extend these conversations beyond my office and the classroom, I recently launched a Substack newsletter., Be. It’s a space where I share practical, evidence-based nutrition guidance, debunk popular myths, and invite honest, community-rooted dialogue about food, health, and equity. It’s my way of making nutrition education more transparent, inclusive, and interactive.
I’m most proud of creating spaces where people—especially those who’ve felt dismissed or judged by mainstream wellness culture—can feel seen, respected, and empowered. It’s not about perfection. It’s about building trust, restoring balance, and making wellness feel like it belongs to everyone.

For anyone getting to know me or my work, I want you to know this: I meet people where they are, and I believe that food—when paired with the right knowledge, support, and context—can be one of the most powerful tools we have for healing our bodies, our communities, and our systems.

Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?

Honestly, empathy is just as important—if not more so—than any degree or certification in this work. You can have all the clinical knowledge in the world, but if you can’t connect with people, listen without judgment, and understand the broader context of their lives, it’s hard to make a real impact.

In the fields of nutrition, public health, and policy, it’s easy to fall into a one-size-fits-all mindset—prescribing guidelines or solutions without considering things like cultural relevance, food access, mental health, trauma, or simply someone’s capacity that day. But what actually helps people move toward better health isn’t rigid advice; it’s feeling seen, supported, and understood.

Meeting people where they are—emotionally, culturally, and logistically—is everything. That means slowing down enough to ask: What’s going on in your world right now? What barriers are in your way? What strengths do you already have? From there, I work with clients to co-create strategies that actually fit their lives, not just their lab results.

It’s a practice of humility, really—recognizing that people are the experts on their own bodies and experiences. My job is to walk alongside them, offer tools, education, and support, and help them reconnect with food and wellness in a way that feels doable and affirming.

In my experience, the professionals who thrive in this space are the ones who bring both knowledge and heart—who know how to hold space for complexity, celebrate small wins, and adapt their approach rather than impose it.

If you could go back in time, do you think you would have chosen a different profession or specialty?

Yes, absolutely. Every twist, turn, and pivot I’ve taken to get where I am today has played an important role in shaping the work I do now—and I wouldn’t take any of it back.

Starting in social work gave me a deep understanding of people’s lived experiences and the systemic barriers they face. Working in policy helped me zoom out and see the bigger picture—how laws, structures, and funding impact individual and community health. And going through my own gut health challenges reminded me that healing isn’t linear, and that evidence-based support needs to be paired with compassion and personalization.

At the time, it didn’t always make sense. I often wondered how all the pieces would fit together. But now I see clearly: each step has been essential in helping me build a brand and business that’s rooted in empathy, equity, and integrity.

I’m proud that my work reflects the complexity of real life. It’s not just about what people eat—it’s about who they are, what they’ve been through, and what they need to thrive. And I’m proud to be creating something that honors that, while also making space for growth, creativity, and community.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.lookingglass-llc.com/
• Instagram: looking_glass_llc
• Other: https://substack.com/@bebyjessicagreen?utm_source=edit-profile-page