JACKSON - Mary Ryan is passionate about food.

So passionate, in fact, that she earned as master's degree in nutrition and began her own business in Jackson to help people navigate the nutrition maze.

Through Beyond Broccoli, Ryan helps people with "pantry makeovers," teaching them about foods they eat, and steering them toward healthier choices.

Ryan, 42, began her interest in nutrition when her father was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. As she read about his condition, nutrition became a recurring theme.

"I want to help people, and nutrition is a way I can help people in their everyday life," she said. "I can help in small ways that can be helpful."

While some people want help getting proper nutrition such as vitamins and minerals, others need help controlling their weight. That, Ryan says, can be difficult to control because many people have lost understanding of feelings of hunger and fullness.

Kids, for example, know when they are hungry and when they are full. But as people age, and pressures of work and life and advertising creep in, they forget what these feel like.

So, people need to reconnect with these emotions, which Ryan says can be difficult. She recommends "conscious eating," meaning enjoying the food and thinking about what you are eating. And she encourages people to keep a food journal even for a few days, as that will help outline what you are eating and will reduce "unconscious eating."

With that, Ryan's approach is one of reality. Food should be a pleasure, she said, not a source of guilt. If you love ice cream, have ice cream, but in small portions.

"It's not about perfection," Ryan said. "It doesn't have to be all or nothing."

Ryan said a common problem with nutrition is that people overestimate how many calories they are burning throughout the day and underestimate how many calories are in their food.

She recommends checking Web sites such as www.caloriesperhour.com to get an understanding how many calories you need, and keeping a food journal to keep portions in check.

Exercise is also key.

"A lot of people think they need to have this drastic exercise program, but in reality, walking is awesome," she said.

Her career in nutrition takes her from people's cupboards to family dinners to leading support groups. She also develops recipes for her clients, and for national magazines.

"Food should be a source of pleasure. I want to help people enjoy it," she said.

Reporter Whitney Royster can be reached at (307) 734-0260 or at royster@tribcsp.com.