Taft Draper Nutrition

Taft Draper Nutrition Personalized nutrition coaching that is integrated into your lifestyle! Based in Asheville, NC. Insurance and Private Pay.

Spring is the perfect time for a fresh start—and your plate is a great place to begin. 🌱As farmers markets and local pro...
03/20/2026

Spring is the perfect time for a fresh start—and your plate is a great place to begin. 🌱

As farmers markets and local produce stands start filling up again, it’s the perfect opportunity to add more plant-based foods to your meals. Fruits, vegetables, beans, whole grains, nuts, and seeds are packed with nutrients that support your body in powerful ways.

A plant-forward diet can help:
🌿 Boost your immune system
🌿 Reduce inflammation
🌿 Support a healthy weight
🌿 Increase fiber for better digestion
🌿 Lower your risk of certain cancers

You don’t have to go fully vegetarian or vegan to see benefits. Simply adding more colorful, whole plant foods to your plate can make a big difference for your health.

Spring is a season of growth—let it be a season of nourishing your body too.

If you're interested in learning more about functional nutrition and how it might improve your health and well-being, schedule a discovery call at TaftDraper.com, and let's talk.

☕ Love your morning coffee? Let’s talk about caffeine and cortisol.For many of us, coffee is a sacred morning ritual. Th...
03/18/2026

☕ Love your morning coffee? Let’s talk about caffeine and cortisol.

For many of us, coffee is a sacred morning ritual. That first sip feels like a warm hug that helps us wake up and focus. But what many people don’t realize is that when you drink your coffee can influence your stress hormones—especially cortisol.

Your body naturally produces its highest levels of cortisol in the morning to help wake you up. Drinking caffeine right away can stack on top of that natural spike, sometimes leaving you feeling wired in the morning and crashing in the afternoon.

For people struggling with fatigue, thyroid issues, or hormone imbalances, caffeine habits can make a bigger difference than you might think.

A few simple tips to support better hormone balance:
✔️ Wait 60–90 minutes after waking before drinking coffee
✔️ Pair caffeine with protein or healthy fats to stabilize blood sugar
✔️ Avoid caffeine later in the day to protect your sleep
✔️ Consider adaptogenic herbs that support stress resilience

The goal isn’t to give up coffee—it’s to work with your body instead of against it.

If you’re feeling constantly tired, stressed, or out of balance, nutrition and lifestyle adjustments can make a powerful difference.

I’m Taft Draper, Registered Dietitian and Integrative Nutritionist based in the Asheville area and working with clients worldwide. My mission is to help people understand that food is medicine—and one of your most powerful tools for living a healthy, energized life.

Learn more or connect at taftdraper.com.

What you put inside your body matters. 💥The foods you eat can either help calm inflammation or make it worse. For many p...
03/12/2026

What you put inside your body matters. 💥

The foods you eat can either help calm inflammation or make it worse. For many people dealing with chronic pain, headaches, arthritis, or inflammatory conditions, nutrition plays a bigger role than they realize.

Deficiencies in key nutrients can also contribute to increased inflammation and pain, which is why making sure you’re getting the right vitamins, antioxidants, and healthy fats is so important.

Some foods are especially helpful because they contain anti-inflammatory compounds that support the body’s natural healing processes.

Here are a few anti-inflammatory foods to consider adding to your plate:
🍒 Fruit high in antioxidants like cherries, red grapes and berries
🥬 Leafy greens such as spinach and kale
🍣 Fatty fish packed with omega 3s like salmon, sardines or mackerel
🌳 Walnuts
🌱 Flaxseeds
🫒 Olive oil
🫚 Spices known to combat inflammation such as turmeric and ginger

For some people, certain foods, like pasteurized dairy products, may also trigger inflammation or flare-ups. Every body is different, which is why personalized nutrition guidance can make such a difference.

Working together, we can explore your symptoms, your diet, and your goals to create a customized plan that supports your health and reduces inflammation.

I work with clients here in the area and virtually worldwide.

👉 https://taftdraper.com/

Many of my clients come to me feeling overwhelmed by the connection between food and their health.Often they’re trying t...
03/09/2026

Many of my clients come to me feeling overwhelmed by the connection between food and their health.

Often they’re trying to figure out things like:

👉 Managing a chronic illness and how diet may support healing
👉 Navigating food allergies or sensitivities
👉 Weight management in a sustainable way
👉 Rebuilding a healthier relationship with food
👉 Transitioning to a plant-based, vegetarian, or vegan lifestyle

My goal is to meet you where you are and help you move forward with a plan that’s personalized, realistic, and supportive of your overall wellness.

Here’s how I work with clients:

✨ Personalized, integrative nutrition assessments to create a plan tailored to your needs and goals
✨ Access to a wide range of functional testing
✨ Ongoing support and monitoring to see how your nutrition and wellness plan is working

To make care more accessible, I also accept insurance and offer virtual appointments.

If you’re curious whether working together might be a good fit, I’d love to connect.

👉 TaftDraper.com

Nutrition coaching isn’t a one-size-fits-all diet plan. It’s personalized, evidence-based support that helps you use foo...
03/06/2026

Nutrition coaching isn’t a one-size-fits-all diet plan. It’s personalized, evidence-based support that helps you use food as a strategic tool for your health. At Taft Draper Nutrition, your journey starts with a thorough assessment of your medical history, lifestyle, habits, and health goals. From there, we design a nutrition plan that fits your body and your life... not a cookie-cutter diet.

Here’s what nutrition coaching actually does:
⃗⃗➡️ We dig into what’s behind your symptoms, not just what’s on your plate.
⃗⃗➡️ We support you with practical habits you can keep long-term.
⃗⃗➡️ We work with your family doctor or specialist when needed to keep your care aligned.

Nutrition coaching can help alleviate or manage a wide range of health concerns, including:
✔ Gastrointestinal issues (like IBS & bloating)
✔ Diabetes & blood sugar management
✔ Heart disease & cholesterol
✔ Celiac disease & gluten-free eating
✔ Chronic fatigue & low energy
✔ Headaches & food triggers
✔ Chronic pain & inflammation
✔ Depression/anxiety
✔ Weight management & metabolism support
✔ Sports performance & recovery
✔ Food sensitivities & gut imbalances
✔ Support during recovery from substance misuse

Important: Taft Draper, RD, is a Registered Dietitian, not a medical doctor, and does not diagnose conditions, BUT he partners with you and your care team to use nutrition to support your treatment and wellness.

Want help turning food into a tool for real change?
📩 DM or click the link in bio to learn more. 💚

March in Asheville can feel heavier than December. 🌧️The holidays are long gone. Spring isn’t quite here. The gray linge...
03/03/2026

March in Asheville can feel heavier than December. 🌧️

The holidays are long gone. Spring isn’t quite here. The gray lingers.

If your mood dips this time of year, you’re not alone. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) often peaks right now.

While nutrition isn’t a replacement for therapy or medication, it is foundational for brain chemistry.

Here’s where to focus:
🍣 Omega-3 fats (salmon, sardines, chia)
☀️ Vitamin D (test, don’t guess)
🌾 Quality carbs to support serotonin
🧠 B vitamins for neurotransmitters
🥒 Fermented + high-fiber foods for the gut-brain axis
🍽️ Stable blood sugar at every meal

Small shifts. Consistent inputs. Big impact over time.

If March feels heavy, it’s not a personal failure. It may be biology asking for support.

Save this for later and share with someone who needs it.

Did you know that grapefruit can interact with medications in ways that might incur harmful side effects?Grapefruit pack...
02/26/2026

Did you know that grapefruit can interact with medications in ways that might incur harmful side effects?

Grapefruit packs a lot of nutritional value, but it's important to doublecheck whether the medications you take may be at risk of interacting with the grapefruit and causing unwanted toxicity or other side effects.

The FDA warns that enzymes in the grapefruit may block the metabolization of some drugs and potentially increase the potency of the drug, increasing your risk for liver and muscle damage.

Here are examples of some types of drugs with which grapefruit can interact:
✔️ Some statin drugs to lower cholesterol, such as Zocor (simvastatin) and Lipitor (atorvastatin).
✔️ Some drugs that treat high blood pressure, such as Procardia and Adalat CC (both nifedipine).
✔️ Some organ-transplant rejection drugs, such as Neoral and Sandimmune capsule or oral solution (both cyclosporine).
✔️ Some anti-anxiety drugs, such as BuSpar (buspirone).
✔️ Some corticosteroids that treat Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, such as
✔️ Entocort EC and Uceris tablet (both budesonide).
✔️ Some drugs that treat abnormal heart rhythms, such as Pacerone and Cordarone tablet (both amiodarone).
✔️ Some antihistamines, such as Allegra (fexofenadine).

Medications interact differently with different bodies so it's important to discuss with your healthcare professional if you feel you have concerns.

Just a gentle reminder that I offer free discovery calls to see if a wellness partner could help you reach your health g...
02/23/2026

Just a gentle reminder that I offer free discovery calls to see if a wellness partner could help you reach your health goals and if I could be the right partner for you.

To make it even easier and more convenient, I can serve clients worldwide through remote session.

Your deserve to put your health first. If you feel the quality of your life could improve from integrative nutrition counseling, please reach out 👉 https://taftdraper.com/

A healthy outside starts from a healthy inside.
02/19/2026

A healthy outside starts from a healthy inside.

People often ask us if insurance covers nutrition counseling?Taft Draper Nutrition accepts Blue Cross Blue Shield & Aetn...
02/17/2026

People often ask us if insurance covers nutrition counseling?

Taft Draper Nutrition accepts Blue Cross Blue Shield & Aetna insurance. Not all plans pay for nutrition counseling. We will call to verify your insurance to see whether or not it covers nutrition counseling. We will let you know if not so you can decide to make the appointment!

You will be provided with a receipt that you may submit to your insurance company for potential reimbursement.

If you're interested in finding out if you're covered, schedule a complimentary consultation today 👉 https://taftdraper.com/

Depending on where you live in the world, winter can mean some pretty grey, dreary days...not really conducive to soakin...
02/13/2026

Depending on where you live in the world, winter can mean some pretty grey, dreary days...not really conducive to soaking up the natural sun, and consequently, not getting your recommended daily 600 - 800 IU of Vitamin D (depending on age).

Getting natural sun is the best source of Vitamin D, but here are a few foods to incorporate to support the recommended intake.

🎣 Fatty fish like salmon, herring and sardines, cod liver oil and canned tuna can provide anywhere from 214 to 526 IU of your daily recommended vitamin D levels.

🥚 Egg yolks. The yolk from one large egg contains 37 IU of vitamin D, or 5% of the DV.

🍄 Wild mushrooms, specifically morel mushrooms, can provide 17% of the DV. Mushrooms are the only non-animal source of vitamin D, albeit, vitamin D2 rather than the vitamin D3 produced by animals sources, which may be less effective, but can still raise blood levels of vitamin D. Note that most commercially grown mushrooms are grown in the dark and don't count for a vitamin D source.

🥛 Vitamin D fortified foods like soy and cow's milk, oj and cereal and oatmeals. Check food labels for percentages.

And, of course, if needed, there are good supplements out there that can help support you in getting the optimal amount of vitamin D.

If you're interested in finding out what vitamins and nutrients your body most needs, get in touch and we can develop a personalized nutrition plan for you, including the supplements that would be best for your needs.

🍕 National Pizza Day Can Still Be Healthy 🍕Yes, pizza can be both delicious and supportive of your health. This one keep...
02/09/2026

🍕 National Pizza Day Can Still Be Healthy 🍕

Yes, pizza can be both delicious and supportive of your health. This one keeps the flavor you love and sneaks in some serious nutrition...no sad “diet pizza” vibes here.

Enjoy This Go-To Healthy Pizza Recipe

🍕 Base:
• Whole-grain or cauliflower crust (or naan if you’re in a hurry)

🍕 Sauce:
• Olive oil + garlic + crushed tomatoes
• Add oregano, basil, and a pinch of red pepper flakes

🍕 Cheese:
• Part-skim mozzarella or a light sprinkle of goat cheese
• Dairy-free? Cashew mozzarella works great

🍕 Toppings (mix + match):
• Sautéed mushrooms
• Spinach or arugula
• Roasted red peppers
• Red onion
• Grilled chicken, turkey sausage, or chickpeas for protein

🍕 Finish:
• Bake until bubbly
• Top with fresh basil and a drizzle of olive oil or balsamic glaze

Balanced carbs. Quality protein. Fiber, color, and flavor.
That’s how you pizza and feel good after.

Happy National Pizza Day 🍕
—your gut will thank you.

Address

27 Doctors Drive
Hendersonville, NC
28792

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+18285518390

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