Food Is Medicine: From Fueling Performance to Fueling Healthy Lives

At Primary Health Solutions, we believe that food plays a powerful role in overall health–and for many of our dietitians, that passion begins with a personal experience.

For Alexa Awerkamp, RD, that belief started as an athlete.

Alexa’s passion for nutrition began with sports and a desire to better understand how to fuel her body for peak performance. As she gained experience in sports nutrition and worked with diverse populations, she discovered how rewarding it was to help others understand nutrition in a way that felt practical and achievable. Which ultimately led her to become a Registered Dietitian and pursue a career focused on making a meaningful difference in people’s lives.

Today, she especially enjoys her role with Butler County WIC, where she has the opportunity to support children and families during important stages of growth and development.

“I enjoy building relationships with families, providing practical nutrition education, and helping establish healthy eating habits early in a child’s life,” said Alexa. “Knowing that I can support parents and children during such important stages of growth and development, while helping lay the foundation for their long-term health and well-being, is what makes this position so rewarding.”

Food as a Foundation for Health

The idea that “food is medicine” is rooted in the important role nutrition plays in preventative care and overall quality of life.

“The foods we eat provide our bodies with the nutrients they need to grow, function, and thrive,” said Alexa. “While nutrition is not a replacement for medical treatment, it is a powerful tool for supporting health through every stage of life.”

Putting that philosophy into practice doesn’t mean asking families to completely change the way they eat overnight. Instead, she focuses on sustainable, long-term behavior change and meeting people where they are. Her approach is centered on practical nutrition education that can fit into everyday life—without the pressure to be perfect.

“I encourage patients to focus on small, realistic habits they can consistently incorporate into their everyday lives,” said Awerkamp. “Over time, those small choices can add up to meaningful changes.”

That philosophy is especially important when working with parents and young children. By helping families understand children’s nutritional needs and establish healthy habits early, she hopes to give them the knowledge and confidence to make choices that can benefit their health for years to come.

Keep It Simple and Consistent

One of the most common pieces of nutrition advice she shares with patients is also one of the simplest: consistency is key.

Healthy eating doesn’t have to mean making drastic changes or eating perfectly. Instead, focusing on realistic habits that can be maintained over time can lead to meaningful progress.

For busy families, that might mean keeping simple, nutritious snacks on hand or finding easy meals that work for their schedules. Her go-to snack is pretzels with hummus—a quick and satisfying option for busy days.

She also believes healthy meals don’t have to be fancy or take a lot of prep of time. One of her favorites is a simple avocado toast topped with an egg, which combines whole-grain bread, avocado and protein in an easy meal that can come together quickly.

Try Her Go-To Avocado Toast

Looking for an easy way to put healthy habits into practice? Try Alexa’s go-to avocado toast recipe. With just a handful of ingredients, it’s a simple option for breakfast, lunch or a quick meal on a busy day.