Westport’s Newest Dietitian Keeps Locals Fit, Forever

The summer heat has rolled in -- who doesn’t want to look good while walking one of Fairfield County’s many beaches or while on an exotic summer vacation?

Nicole Barrato, the owner of in Westport, has brought her practice to the area to help locals look good, feel good, and develop a healthy, yet sustainable diet and lifestyle.

“I feel people here want to be educated on health and wellness,” said Barrato, who received her Masters at New York University and is a registered dietitian and a certified diabetes educator.

Barrato has a beautiful office overlooking the Saugatuck River in Bridge Square where she teaches her clients how to eat and live a healthy lifestyle for the rest of their lives. Rather than developing an unrealistic diet plan that cannot succeed forever, such as a low carbohydrate diet, Barrato helps her clients figure out a more appealing way to eat healthy.

“I’ve seen plenty of patients lose weight because of a ‘fad diet,’ but they can’t maintain that weight loss because they are doing something that is not realistic,” she said.

Barrato’s experience and education will allow her to translate food myths as well as what the media feeds to her clients. One example Barrato mentioned was olive oil.

“Most people don’t realize three tablespoons of olive oil has more fat than a Big Mac,” Barrato explained.

Some people who are trying to lose weight are uncertain when it comes to maneuvering around a grocery store, which is another way Barrato helps her clients construct a healthy diet, by giving supermarket tours.

“I also do kitchen makeovers to see if what you have in your refrigerator and cabinets is healthy or unhealthy,” she said, adding that she also is available for sessions while walking on Compo Beach.

Barrato, who recently transitioned from a dietitian practice in Manhattan, New York, said she also provides Skype sessions.

“Patients find it is more comfortable because they are in their own home,” she said. “Sometimes people are reluctant to go see a nutritionist.”

One major benefit NutriGreene provides is accepting medical insurance, while many dietitians in the area do not, according to Barrato. Therefore, if a clients' health insurance plan covers nutritional counseling, they may only be responsible for a co-pay.

Whether you meet Barrato over the Internet, while strolling up Compo Beach, or in her scenic Saugatuck location, the beginning of summer is the perfect time to begin getting into the shape you’d like to be in.