What RDs Do: Rosie Schwartz, RD

ROSIE SCHWARTZ
PRIVATE PRACTICE & 

NUTRITION COMMUNICATIONS 

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I have followed many of Rosie's posts in the past as she has a strong voice for our profession. She was recently named as an awesome Canadian dietitian that needs to be followed, so I figured it was about time I featured her on the series! Rosie is a trailblazer for many of us in private practice and media and I'm sure you'll enjoy learning more about her and her career.

Why did you become a RD?

It was fate – a long story way before nutrition was a hot topic. I somehow ended up in the nutrition program at the University of Toronto and had planned to transfer out until I fell in love with the idea of combining science with my passion for good food.

What area of dietetics do you work in?

Private practice, nutrition communications including writing and consulting.

How would you explain what you do? 

I try to enlighten people as to what healthy eating is all about, whether in my counselling practice or in my nutrition writing or other media work.

What are your ‘typical’ daily/weekly tasks? 

My typical tasks can vary greatly from my regular nutrition counselling sessions to the nutrition columns that I currently write for various publications or freelance pieces for a variety of audiences and responding to the media which could include TV or radio interviews. I'm also active in social media and have a website where my posts might vary from clarifying myths and nutrition basics to rants and recipes.

What has been your career path? 

My career path has been a very long one! I was one of the first to start a private practice in Canada over 40 years ago. There were three of us that started at the same time. I started doing regular media gigs including TV and radio just a few years after I started in private practice. I had regular spots on national TV shows back in the 80s and had my first book, The Enlightened Eater, published back in 1987. I started a weekly newspaper column with the same name in the Ottawa Citizen in 1991 (which I had nightmares about writing!). It was syndicated across Canada for a number of years. I also had a weekly TV column on CBC Morning for a number of years. The National Post also carried my Enlightened Eater column for a number of years as well. I’ve had regular magazine columns.

Through the years, I’ve been a consultant and spokesperson (to food companies and the Heart and Stroke Foundation) as well as an advocate about various nutrition issues including successfully fighting the approval of the fake fat Olestra in Canada.

I’m also a speaker for both the general public as well as for various professionals groups which has taken me across Canada, the U.S., Europe and even on the high seas aboard cruise ships.

My writing contacts also led me into doing travel and food writing as well.

What advanced education or special training do you have? 

As for advance education or a special training, I have learned on the job! I've also depended on networking and colleagues over the years. I was one of the founding members of the consulting dietitians group as those of us in private practice at the time were quite isolated.

In an ideal world, what does the industry look like 5 years from now? 

In an ideal world, registered dietitians would be recognized as the experts and all these "nutritionists" peddling nutrition misinformation and selling worthless supplements would have disappeared!

What are you passionate about in dietetics? 

Fighting misinformation is definitely a passion as is enlightening people that nutritious fare should be delicious.

What is your favourite meal? 

A marinated heirloom tomato and basil sauce (from my garden) with a fruity extra virgin olive oil, over pasta.

What tip(s) would you give to our readers? 

As for advice for dietitians, aim for the stars, be true to yourself and love what you do and if you follow these rules, you will remain passionate about your career.

More about Rosie:

Website: Enlightened Eater by Rosie Schwartz
Facebook: Enlightened Eater
Twitter: @RosieSchwartz
LinkedIn: Rosie Schwartz
Instagram: @rosieschwartz

Thanks Rosie! Find out more about What RDsDo.

If you're a dietitian that would like to be featured, email me for the details!

What RDs Do: Jessica Levinson MS, RDN, CDN

JESSICA LEVINSON

NUTRITIOULICIOUS
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I've crossed paths with Jessica a few times online now. As I learned more about her, I actually noticed many similarities - we both started our practices right after becoming RDs, we both work in communications and with commodity groups, and we both have nutritious inspiration in our business names! Jessica creates delicious recipes and takes beautiful pictures as well; I know I'm going to try her family favourite recipe listed below.

Why did you become a RD?

What initially drew me to study nutrition and become a RD was the desire to help people learn healthy eating habits, but over the 10+ years working as a dietitian, my interests and work as an RD have changed to communicating nutrition messages on a larger scale through media and writing, as well as a focus on helping people feel confident in the kitchen and get healthy meals on the table that their whole family will enjoy.

What area of dietetics do you work in?

Nutrition communications and culinary nutrition.

How would you explain what you do?

I own a food and nutrition communications and consulting business in which I am a spokesperson for food brands and commodity boards with a focus on culinary nutrition, recipe development, and writing.

What are your ‘typical’ daily/weekly tasks?

Most of my days are spent between my kitchen and my computer. On any given day you’ll find me testing recipes and photographing them in my kitchen, sitting at my computer writing articles and blog posts for my personal blog and client blogs/websites, photo editing, and engaging on social media. There are times when I travel for work for television segments, SMTs (Satellite Media Tours), and/or shooting videos on behalf of clients.

What has been your career path?

I started a private practice immediately after I passed my RD exam and while trying to build up the practice I started working as a nutrition editor at an online publishing company, which was where I realized how much I loved to write about food and nutrition. I spent some time working for an eating disorder day treatment program, which was always an interest of mine, but I realized it wasn’t for me, and went full force into growing my own business, Nutritioulicious, as a nutrition communications and culinary nutrition focused business working with food brands and commodity boards as my primary clients.

What advanced education or special training do you have?

I have a master’s degree in clinical nutrition.

In an ideal world, what does the industry look like 5 years from now?

I’d like to see a continued and improved acknowledgment by the media and public that registered dietitian nutritionists are the food and nutrition experts. I’d also love to see more dietitians become aware of all the opportunities that are available to them within the world of nutrition.

What would you like people to know about RDs?

That we don’t all wear white lab coats and work in hospitals.

What are you passionate about in dietetics?

Now that I am a mother, I’m especially passionate about helping families feel empowered to get healthy meals on the table and meals that everyone will eat. I am a big advocate of parents making one meal for everyone – no short order cooks – and realizing that their kids don’t need “children’s food” – they can eat the same thing that adults do.

What is your favourite meal?

That is such a hard question – I have so many favorites! One of my favorite meals is one that my whole family loves and my children devour – Peanut Soba Noodles with Crispy Tofu and Vegetables

What tip(s) would you give to our readers?

Enjoy food – don’t make it a choice between “good” and “bad” foods. All foods can have a place in a healthy diet and the most important thing is to eat food you enjoy and that tastes good. Food should be nutritious and delicious, or as I like to say, Nutritioulicious!

More about Jessica:

Website: Nutritioulicious

Twitter: @JlevinsonRD

Facebook: Nutritioulicious

Instagram: JLevinsonRD

Pinterest: JLevinsonRD

Thanks Jessica! Find out more about What RDsDo.

If you're a dietitian that would like to be featured, email me for the details!

What RDs Do: Sarah Remmer, RD, CDE

SARAH REMMER

FAMILY NUTRITION EDUCATOR, FREELANCE WRITER

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Sarah was a dietitian I reached out to when I was considering starting a private practice right after university. She is a busy mom of three and successful entrepreneur that has carved out a niche for herself.

Why did you become a RD?

I became an RD because I was passionate about food and health and extremely interested in nutritional science. When I learned that I could become a Dietitian—someone who counsels people on how to eat better, I knew it was the perfect fit for me. I always knew that I would be in private practice--I wanted to listen to people who had the desire to change their lifestyle, and counsel them based on their personal needs.

What area of dietetics do you work in?

Pre- and post-natal nutrition, pediatric nutrition, and picky eating.

How would you explain what you do?

I work with expectant moms, new Moms and families to help establish healthy eating habits from day one. My passion is helping parents navigate “the trenches” of feeding (starting solids, feeding your toddler/preschooler, picky eating, mealtime battles etc.). Although I counsel parents one-on-one both in person and virtually, the majority of the work that I do is media-related (blogging and freelance writing) and online education (e-courses). I’m the nutrition blogger for the Canadian award-winning parenting blog “Erica Ehm’s Yummy Mummy Club”, I contribute to my own blog regularly, I’m a regular contributor for Alberta Milk’s More About Milk blog and I do freelance writing for parenting publications such as Today’s Parent Magazine. I also consult for the food industry (brands that I believe in and use myself) and work with local business’s such as the Children’s Cottage (crisis nurseries) and daycares to provide nutrition education and menu planning services.

What are your ‘typical’ daily/weekly tasks?

Right now, I’m just trying to keep up with blogging as I have a 6 week old at home (as well as my two other kids), but typically I work 3 days a week and would see one client max, write a blog post or two, do some consulting work such as menu planning, work on an upcoming e-course and spend time networking on social media.

What has been your career path?

I have always worked in private practice to some degree, but have also worked in the hospital, in gyms and in private clinics. When I had my first baby, I decided to focus exclusively on baby and kids’ nutrition (specifically educating parents on how to best feed their families and nurture a healthy relationship with food) as well as disordered eating patterns in the teenage years and adulthood (and how to prevent these behaviours from an early age). I discovered blogging and have slowly transitioned from in-person counselling to educating a wider audience through the creation of online resources, writing and blogging for parents of babies and young kids.

What advanced education or special training do you have?

I was a Certified Diabetes Educator for five years prior to deciding to focus on pediatric nutrition, I have a very keen interest in intuitive and mindful eating as well as Eating Disorders and have trained under and worked with many Psychologists, Doctors and Dietitians who specialize in the area, as well as performed hours of my own research on the subject (and have years of my own counselling experience in Eating Disorders).

I have done specialized media training (TV, and radio) and more recently (the past 5 years) have been to several blogging/writing conferences where I’ve trained and learned how to be a better writer.

I have also spent hundreds of hours learning and reading about kids’ nutrition and picky eating and working closely with experts in the area. I’m also excited to become certified as an SOS (Sequential Oral Sensory) Feeding Expert in the Spring of 2016 so that I can better educate parents and caregivers on how to healthfully feed kids with feeding difficulties.

In an ideal world, what does the industry look like 5 years from now?

I’m hoping that RDs continue to be recognized as the leading experts in nutrition and food and that we become better recognized (and compensated for) for the amazing work that we do.

More about Sarah:

Website: www.sarahremmer.com
Blog: www.thenondietdietitian.com
Twitter: @sarahremmer
Facebook: Sarah Remmer, RD

Thanks Sarah! Find out more about What RDsDo.

If you're a dietitian that would like to be featured, email me for the details!

What RDs Do: Abbey Sharp, RD

ABBEY SHARP

ABBEY'S KITCHEN 

for something nutrishus

Today we're lucky to have Toronto's Abbey Sharp on the blog. Abbey wears many hats in her entrepreneurial dietitian role. She has a unique skill set which lends itself well to her media roles and YouTube page. Like me, she works with commodity groups, and encourages a moderate and long-term approach to eating which includes a healthy relationship with food. I like her comment at the end regarding what our food does (or doesn't) say about us.

Why did you become a RD? 

Mainly because I just loved food so much.

What area of dietetics do you work in? 

I work in media and communications, usually with a food first or culinary edge.

How would you explain what you do? 

I own a food and nutrition communications business and work as a nutrition and food spokesperson for various top food brands and commodity boards. I also do a lot of recipe development, blogging and freelance food and nutrition writing. 

What are your ‘typical’ daily/weekly tasks? 

Every day is different, which is what I love so much about my job, but my day-to-day tasks usually involve working with brands on large and small spokesperson campaigns. Sometimes it means learning or developing brand messages for TV or radio interviews, testing recipes for brands, shooting food photos for my blog, writing and shooting YouTube videos, hosting food events and teaching workshops.

What has been your career path? 

I always knew I wanted to work in media, but right after my internship, I started a masters program in sociology looking to study the sociological aspects of food. My goal was to get a PhD because I thought that would make me an even greater “expert” for media opportunities. But after two months of absolutely hating my life in grad school, I dropped out and launched a now very successful business in media.

What advanced education or special training do you have? 

I have a lot of culinary training (George Brown), and acting/ TV training (York university, Second City, and years of theatre training and experience as a child/teen).

In an ideal world, what does the industry look like 5 years from now? 

Hopefully we will simply be better represented in the media and the public will better understand what a dietitian does and how they differ from other nutrition experts. I also would love to see the public embrace a more moderate long term approach to healthy eating, rather than the quick-fix fads we see circulating today.

What misinformation about RDs would you like to clear up? 

That we just work in hospitals and treat people with Ensure or tube feeds. Dietitians help people not only recover from illnesses through diet, but also help prevent illnesses in all sorts of settings. Look at what I do- it’s the farthest thing from working in a hospital calculating feeds. I also hate that people think that dietitians just regurgitate Canada’s Food Guide or that we are simply government puppets. Dietitians are mandated to make our recommendations based on evidence and personalize it to the client- none of us only use any one method or only one government funded tool.

What would you like people to know about RDs? 

That dietitians understand the bigger picture. We understand the social, emotional, cultural and nutritional aspects of food, and we carefully balance those when making recommendations.

What are challenges you encounter as a RD?

Mainly just trying to counteract bad misinformation put forth by the media.

What do people think that you do for a living? 

I think most people can’t answer that in one sentence simply because I do so many different things. I even have a hard time explaining my job succinctly.

What are you passionate about in dietetics? 

I am passionate about helping people improve their long term relationship with food and empowering them to love their bodies and food again.

What makes RDs unique/different from other nutrition/wellness professionals? 

We understand that food is often just part of a larger issue. People aren’t overweight just because they eat more than they expend and the solution is not as simple as just telling someone to eat less. There is always something deeper that often is left unaddressed by other wellness professionals.

What is your favourite meal? 

Oh gosh, dessert for sure. I particularly love anything with caramel like sticky toffee pudding. I know, not what you were expecting a dietitian to say, right?

What tip(s) would you give to our readers? 

Listen to your body and honour it with the fuel and food it needs. Don’t think of food as good or bad, or yourself as good or bad when you eat that food. Learn to find peace with your body, food and yourself.

More about Abbey:

Website: www.abbeyskitchen.com
Twitter: @AbbeysKitchen
Facebook: AbbeysKitchen
Instagram: AbbeysKitchen
Pinterest: AbbeysKitchen
YouTube: AbbeysKitchen

Thanks Abbey! Find out more about What RDsDo.

If you're a dietitian that would like to be featured, email me for the details!