About Susan Alsembach – Nutrition and Wellness Expert
Who is Susan
I’m Susan, a wife, mother, entrepreneur, and functional nutritionist based in Ottawa.
I help busy people make sense of their health s o they can feel better in a way that is realistic, supportive, and sustainable. I believe food should work with real life, not create more pressure or complexity. In my own home, life is full and busy, and I understand what it means to want to eat well while balancing family, work, and everything else that matters.
I’m a foodie at heart, but I also know that most of us do not have hours to spend in the kitchen every day. That is why I love helping clients find simple, practical ways to nourish themselves and their families without overcomplicating food.
I’m happiest when I’m active and outdoors, whether that is walking, spending time outside in winter or summer, or winding down at the end of the day with music on while I cook. Those everyday rhythms matter to me, because they are often the small habits that support the bigger picture of health.
What I love most about my work is helping clients understand the connection between the food they eat and how they feel. Afternoon slumps, bloating, digestive discomfort, and low energy are not things we simply need to accept. They are often clues that something deeper needs attention. My role is to help clients piece together their health puzzle so things start to make sense — and so they can move forward with clarity and confidence.
My Story
My path to functional nutrition has been shaped by both professional training and lived experience.
I was born in Switzerland, where I met my Canadian husband while working for a global agribusiness company in Geneva. I later studied at the University of Brighton in the U.K., where I earned my Nursing Diploma. As a nurse, I worked on surgical, medical, gynecological, and palliative care wards, experiences that gave me a deep respect for the complexity of health and the importance of compassionate, attentive care.
Our family also lived in the United States, Brazil, Argentina, and the United Kingdom, and each place has influenced the way I see food, culture, and the many ways people care for themselves.
When our daughter was diagnosed with gluten and dairy intolerance, I felt called to take a deeper look at nutrition. That led me to train as a Registered Holistic Nutritionist with the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition, graduating in 2016 and as a Functional Nutritionist in 2025. Over time, that background evolved into the functional nutrition approach I use today — one that looks at the whole person, connects the dots, and focuses on the root causes behind symptoms rather than quick fixes.
Why I do this work
My path to functional nutrition has been shaped by both professional training and lived experience.
I was born in Switzerland, where I met my Canadian husband while working for a global agribusiness company in Geneva. I later studied at the University of Brighton in the U.K., where I earned my Nursing Diploma. As a nurse, I worked on surgical, medical, gynecological, and palliative care wards, experiences that gave me a deep respect for the complexity of health and the importance of compassionate, attentive care.
Our family also lived in the United States, Brazil, Argentina, and the United Kingdom, and each place has influenced the way I see food, culture, and the many ways people care for themselves.
When our daughter was diagnosed with gluten and dairy intolerance, I felt called to take a deeper look at nutrition. That led me to train as a Registered Holistic Nutritionist with the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition, graduating in 2016 and as a Functional Nutritionist in 2025. Over time, that background evolved into the functional nutrition approach I use today — one that looks at the whole person, connects the dots, and focuses on the root causes behind symptoms rather than quick fixes.