Asha-Gaye Graham Thompson, Dietitian
Hey! I am Asha-Gaye. I am a Registered Dietitian from Jamaica. My main focus is on Diabetes, Renal Nutrition, Maternal and Child Nutrition. I love nutrition and love educating people on the many health benefits of proper nutrition.
As a member of the Nourish Team, I provide support to any nutrition-related disease that affects geriatric, maternal, and child health. The Nourish Team provides nutrition services to support Caribbean people at home and abroad in living healthier lives. Each person on our team has a unique journey.
I always knew I wanted to be a nutrition professional. Back in high school right there at Mannings School 1st form, the question was asked about what my professional goals were. I never quite understood what the profession was about, but I knew I wanted to heal my father who had been diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at the age of 25. I watched my mother prepare special meals for him and often wondered why. Soon my many questions led me to be assigned as his budding nutritionist and personal chef. I would prepare his meals and juices and made sure I went with him to most of his nutrition appointments. Fast forward to my final year in college and my father was diagnosed with Diabetic Nephropathy – Kidney failure as a result of Diabetes. My interest in Renal Nutrition blossomed right there as I made special porridges and tasty food for him despite him being on Peritoneal Dialysis. He soon died from complications of cardiomegaly; but he died a proud man, knowing his daughter became the nutrition professional he hoped for.
As my favourite quote says, “our destiny is not a matter of chance; it is a matter of choice. It is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved”. We will help you achieve your nutrition goal.
My interest in Maternal and Child Nutrition peaked when I first became a mother 10 years ago and with my younger child who is now 6 years old. Both Zacre’ and Zhni’a were exclusively breastfed for 6 months and are healthy and keeping me engaged. I have learned from their picky eating habits and have had to hide many vegetables and fruits in smoothies, porridge, and mashed potatoes to get to that stage. I understand very well how frustrating it can be and fully appreciate that every child and indeed, every adult has different ways of getting to their ideal target.
I began my nutrition studies at the Northern Caribbean University in Mandeville, Jamaica where I attained a B.Sc. in Dietetics and Nutrition, and later successfully completed the Post-graduate Internship Programme and went on to license as a Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist. I also hold an M.Sc. in Public Health with an emphasis in Nutrition. I have been in the dietetics profession for 14 years and work at the Western Regional Health Authority- Savanna-la-mar Public Health Hospital, Jamaica as the Administrative Dietitian.
I am a Seventh-day Adventist and a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Health Professionals- Westmoreland Chapter. I also conducted a study and presented findings on the topic “The association between dietary practices of Seventh-day Adventist aged 20 -60 yrs old in the Savanna-la-mar District of Churches and the prevalence of Obesity, Diabetes and Hypertension”, in addition to a study on, “Barriers that affect the continuity of Exclusive Breastfeeding for 6 months among women in St. Elizabeth, Jamaica”. I am also an active member of the Jamaica Association of Professionals in Nutrition and Dietetics and am currently the Vice President. I am married to the tall dark and handsome Joseph Thompson, who fathers my 2 beautiful children Zacre’ and Zhnia. I think that my real strength is my personality as I truly enjoy meeting and sharing with people. I also pride myself on my reputation of being dedicated to service.
My nutrition interests include:
- Diabetes, Renal Nutrition, Maternal and Child Nutrition
- Plant Based Eating
Other interests include: Public speaking and professional development.