Meet the Founder & Nutritionist
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Shawna Barker BSc., R.H.N.Shawna Barker is a nutritionist, vegan chef, college instructor, and leading expert in plant based nutrition. With over 14 years in professional practice and more than 24 years of personal experience living a vegan lifestyle, she brings both depth and lived insight to her work.
She holds an Honours Bachelor of Science in Food, Nutrition and Health from the University of British Columbia and a Diploma in Holistic Nutrition from the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition. Her education allows her to combine evidence-based nutritional science with a comprehensive, practical approach to health. |
As the founder of Synergy Nutrition, Shawna works with clients through private consultations, workshops, and culinary education. She is also a college-level nutrition instructor, where she trains future nutritionists in plant based nutrition and clinical practice.
Shawna specializes in plant based nutrition, including nutrient optimization, digestive health, pregnancy and family nutrition, and performance support. Her approach is individualized, strategic, and grounded in current research, helping clients move beyond confusion and build sustainable, plant-forward dietary patterns that support long-term health.
While plant based nutrition is her area of expertise, Shawna works with clients following a variety of dietary approaches, provided they are open to incorporating more plants as a foundation for optimal wellness.
Her mission is to provide clear, credible guidance in a space often filled with misinformation, and to demonstrate that a well-designed plant based diet can support health at every stage of life.
Shawna specializes in plant based nutrition, including nutrient optimization, digestive health, pregnancy and family nutrition, and performance support. Her approach is individualized, strategic, and grounded in current research, helping clients move beyond confusion and build sustainable, plant-forward dietary patterns that support long-term health.
While plant based nutrition is her area of expertise, Shawna works with clients following a variety of dietary approaches, provided they are open to incorporating more plants as a foundation for optimal wellness.
Her mission is to provide clear, credible guidance in a space often filled with misinformation, and to demonstrate that a well-designed plant based diet can support health at every stage of life.
Education:
- Bachelors of Science Degree (BSc.), Major in Food, Nutrition, and Health (Honours), University of British Columbia
- Registered Holistic Nutritionist (R.H.N.), Canadian School of Natural Nutrition, Vancouver, Canada
- Wild Herb Identification and Foraging, Urban Herb School, Vancouver, Canada
- Tincture and Salve Making, Urban Herb School, Vancouver, Canada
- Level 1 Teaching Training, Canadian School of Natural Nutrition, Vancouver, Canada
- Instructor and Course Developer, Holistic Nutrition Program, Pacific Rim College, Victoria, Canada
- Instructor and Course Developer, Food and Sustainability, Langara College Continuing Studies, Vancouver, Canada
- Nutritionist, Vegan Chef and Teacher, Organic Farmer, Owner/Operator, Gaia's Living Foods, Victoria, Canada
- Nutrition Consultant, Choices Markets, Vancouver, Canada
- Director of Lecture Series, Alternative and Integrative Medical Society, University of British Columbia
- Organic Food Ambassador, Sprouts, University of British Columbia
- Landed Learning Farm Friends, Centre for Sustainable Food Systems at the UBC Farm, University of British Columbia
- Featured Speaker for Panel Discussion on Plant Based Foods, Organic Islands Festival, Central Saanich, Canada
- Vegan Cooking Demo, Celiac Scene Victoria
- Nutrition Presentations, VIVA-Raw Victoria
- Food, Agriculture, and Sustainability Presentations, various High Schools in Victoria and Vancouver, Canada