What RDs Do: Melissa Bailey, MS, RD, CNSC, LDN & Elizabeth Smith MPH, RD, CNSC, LDN

MELISSA BAILEY & ELIZABETH SMITH
TWO HUNGRY WORK WIVES
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I 'met' these lovely ladies as followers of the series on Instagram. As you continue to see, whether it's a hobby or a business, many dietitians start blogs, create recipes, counsel/coach as they're just so passionate and/or have unique interests and skills they want to share with the world. This truly is much more than a job to most of us!

Why did you become a RD?

Liz- I initially wanted to help with clients struggling with eating disorders; however throughout my internship I realized that overall health and wellness was important to me, leading me to the clinical world.

Melissa- I loved experimenting with recipes and making them healthier throughout high school and college. It wasn’t until friends told me I should consider nutrition that I gave it a thought. Now I am surprisingly working in an acute care setting, but have reignited my love of healthy cooking through our Instagram and blog.

What area of dietetics do you work in?

We both work in the clinical setting in an acute care hospital. We also provide outpatient counseling weekly. On the side we work on our Instagram and blog @twohungryworkwives.

How would you explain what you do?

Our role as dietitians in the clinical setting is to provide medical nutrition therapy to our hospitalized patients. Melissa focuses on providing nutrition support (tube feeds and I.V. nutrition) to adult surgical patients while Liz works mainly in the neonatal ICU helping premature babies to grow. 

What are your ‘typical’ daily/weekly tasks?

We see anywhere from 12-15 patients per day, assessing their nutrition needs and creating a plan with the medical team that best suits each patient. We also attend staff meetings, weekly education sessions and daily interdisciplinary rounds. As far as social media, we try to have meetings together a few times a week to discuss what we will post and the different ideas we have. 

What has been your career path?

Liz- studied nutrition undergrad, went on to work in community nutrition for several years while completing grad school. After completion of grad school, I went into my dietetic internship, where I realized that I wanted to eventually work in the clinical setting. 

Melissa- I studied health sciences in undergrad as I was not quite sure what part of the health profession I wanted to be in. I met with a professor who happened to also be a registered dietitian and she sparked my interest in the field. I went on to grad school with a focus in nutrition, then completed my dietetic internship. I also realized then that I wanted to be in the clinical setting, at least for the first few years of my career.

What advanced education or special training do you have?

We both have our master’s degree. Melissa has her Masters of Science in Human Nutrition while Liz has her Masters of Public Health with a focus in Nutrition. We both are Certified Nutrition Support Clinicians.

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

We hope that the profession continues to grow as there is a need for nutrition professionals within the community as well as in the medical setting. Since dietitians focus on evidenced-based research, we feel it is important to help build up our profession to get the most accurate nutrition information out to the public. We also hope that as the years go by there is better compensation for Registered Dietitians and the value of our profession is noticed. 

What would you like people to know about RDs?

We go through years of education to become a Registered Dietitian and just like any other health professional, we have to take a board examination to become certified to practice. We also have to hold a state licensure (in most states). Many dietitians have a master’s degree and all of us go through an intense 1200-hour internship before sitting for our board exams.

What is your favourite meal?

Melissa- homemade pasta and braciole 

Liz- her mom’s mac and cheese

More about Melissa & Liz:

Instagram: @twohungryworkwives

Facebook: Twohungryworkwives

Website: Two Hungry Work Wives

Thanks ladies! Find out more about What RDs Do.

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

What RDs Do: Mary Purdy MS, RDN

MARY PURDY
ARIVALE & MARY'S NUTRITION SHOW

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Mary is doing a variety of interesting things. She came to dietetics later in life and now works with both individuals and reaches a large audience via her show and podcasts. She's a great example of how dietitians turn research into practical advice. Like Mary, I jumped right into the private practice world, having never had a traditional job. I love the thought that went into her responses and am excited to read her book (since she kindly sent me a copy)!

Why did you become a RD? 

I have always been interested in food, health and nutrition since I was a little girl. I originally chose to become an actor but never lost my passion and zeal for broccoli and pomegranates. I started questioning this career choice in my early 30’s just as my dad was diagnosed with a very serious disease that wound him in a hospital where he received some very questionable advice from the dietitian there. When I began to realize that food actually had the power to help prevent and address disease I knew that I had to switch gears and do whatever I could to help people who may be in need of nutritional guidance. I was determined to heal the world one meal at a time!

What area of dietetics do you work in? 

I work at the start up scientific wellness company called Arivale in Seattle, as a Registered Dietitian Coach and Clinical Education Lead. I also host a web series and podcast called “Mary’s Nutrition Show” with my husband, who is a videographer and lead producer, all around great guy and fellow broccoli enthusiast.

How would you explain what you do? 

I work with clients/patients over the phone providing diet and lifestyle counseling utilizing a personalized medicine approach which takes into account nutritional genetics, blood analyte biomarkers, microbiome and salivary cortisol. We take a long-term, integrative approach where we address diet, physical activity, stress, sleep, and supplementation. What is incredible is that we work with folks long enough to gather data that helps us to see how our intervention strategies have made a difference in their lives. I also act as an educator at the company, training our new hires and helping to build new trainings on a variety of topics for our current dietitians. For “Mary’s Nutrition Show”, we produce weekly shows either on Facebook Live or recorded for a podcast that provide easy to understand information on a myriad of food and nutrition topics that are usually sprinkled with a lot of humor to keep it fun and interesting for both listener and for me.

What are your ‘typical’ daily/weekly tasks? 

Because Arivale is a start up culture, every day is incredibly different. I spend a lot of time reaching out to and speaking to, texting or emailing my clients keeping them accountable as well as inspired and encouraged, and fielding questions from them on a regular basis. I hold clinical office hours where other RDN’s can pick my brain about tough cases. I attend trainings about new data, go to meetings about company updates, group gatherings around both clinical or personal topics, drink copious amounts of tea and have brief chats with other RDN’s in our kitchen area, and read a lot of research. For Mary’s Nutrition Show, I brainstorm show ideas, stay current on social media, practice talking points, respond to comments and queries and go to the grocery store often where I can try new products that I can be confident recommending to my listeners.

What has been your career path? 

After attaining my graduate degree in nutrition and finishing my internship at Bastyr University, I decided it would be a good idea to hang my shingle and go into private practice, even with no real business experience. (I don’t recommend this!) I had never had a normal job, so the thought of a 9-5 gig was very unappealing. The internship schedule almost killed me. I wanted autonomy. I started off in what might be thought of as a utility closet at a gym and gradually worked my way to an office with windows and a couch. I also got a part time job for two years as an outpatient dietitian at a hospital in Seattle which filled in the gaps very nicely. I also started providing wellness presentations at local businesses and community centers and began to build my brand as a private practice dietitian.

While keeping my business going, I took on another wonderful role as a Clinical Supervisor at Bastyr University’s Teaching clinic for 5 years and became adjunct faculty teaching in both the natural medicine and nutrition departments for 3 years. When the opportunity came up to work at Arivale with a team of amazing clinicians and founded by one of the founding fathers of systems biology, Lee Hood, I decided to close my private practice and take a chance on this amazing-sounding start up. I have never looked back and look forward to every day that I get to practice integrative medicine and learn from other health professionals, and drink copious amounts of tea while chatting with other RDN’s in the kitchen. Over the past few years, I have been writing humorous personal essays about becoming and being a dietitian and finally compiled them all into a book called “Serving the Broccoli Gods”

What advanced education or special training do you have? 

I am definitely a life long learner who for the past 10 years has listened to dozens of professional webinars and attended several different major conferences and symposiums every year that mostly focus on functional and integrative approaches to health. I took the Functional Nutrition Course through the Institute for Functional Medicine, and the Food as Medicine professional training courses through the Center for Mind-Body Medicine. Being on the executive committee and now the Chair of Dietitians in Integrative and Functional Medicine has also afforded me numerous opportunities to build my knowledge base. I will never stop pursuing learning opportunities especially when the field is so incredibly dynamic. I just hope my brain can hold all the info!

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

I hope the world of dietetics will be more aligned and less divided on a variety of topics. Or if the division still exists, I hope there is a cordial agreement to respect the others’ opinions. I also hope food policy won’t be so driven by food industry. I fear that decisions around our food – both access and quality – are often being made by organizations that may not always have the consumer’s health in mind. I would love for RDN’s to have greater respect overall in the medical community as an integral part of the health care picture. I also hope that more RDN’s feel empowered to take an integrative approach to nutritional counseling, incorporating other aspects of what constitutes “health” and come to understand the value of personalizing the strategies, and that not all research may apply to every single person in the same way. And I hope that this is taught and incorporated into nutrition school curriculums and in medical schools. Filling out the conversation with our patients to include sleep, stress, GI (gastrointestinal) issues, environment, genetics, physical activity, and the benefits or lack thereof of supplementation will inevitably make our ability to guide and improve health outcomes all the stronger.

What are challenges you encounter as a RD? 

I don’t think people, my friends and acquaintances included, or other medical professionals always understand the depth of our knowledge and training around food and disease and how strong our understanding is of how to prevent, treat and in some cases possibly even reverse chronic health issues.

What do people think that you do for a living? 

I think some believe that I sit there and tell people to stop eating fast food and eat more vegetables so they can lose weight. I don’t think they understand that food is information for our genes and helps to support our bodies’ biochemical functions, and that decisions around meals go way beyond calories in and calories out.

What are you passionate about in dietetics? 

I am extraordinarily passionate about the potential that a food as medicine approach has in stopping chronic disease. I love the idea of thinking outside the box with strategies, with trialing options with patients and considering n=1 experiments as a way to determine if the intervention is right for that individual. When we start focusing on the root cause of disease and begin our guidance from that perspective, we have the ability to dig deep and understand how to get us out of the health crisis in which we have found ourselves.

What is your favourite meal? 

Do I have to have a favorite? It depends on the season, on my mood, where I am, but I do love a good Spicy Indian or Thai veggie curry over brown rice, or vegetarian chili bursting with veggies and a side of corn bread. But then I also go nuts for a massaged kale salad with avocado and walnuts and beets! Give me flavor, richness, spice and color. Can I have that many favorites??

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

Don’t NOT do something because you are scared or worried that you won’t be successful. Don’t stay too long doing something in the field that doesn’t fill your soul. Stay open minded about the possibilities of this field and keep up the dialogue with those who may have different philosophies from yours. This is a great way to learn.

More about Mary:

Website: Mary Purdy

Podcast: Mary's Nutrition show on iTunes

YouTube channel: Mary Purdy

Facebook: Mary Purdy RD

Twitter: @marypurdyhere

Instagram: @marypurdyrd

Thanks Mary! Find out more about What RDs Do.

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

What RDs Do: Nancy Clark MS, RD, CSSD

NANCY CLARK

SPORTS NUTRITIONIST & AUTHOR

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Like others, Nancy is a dietitian I have looked up to throughout my career; I feel honoured to include her in this series. She's a trailblazer in sport nutrition, that's for sure, and I'm sure she has seen a lot of positive changes throughout her career, although there are still many opportunities for sports dietitians to explore.

Why did you become a RD?

Having an interest in cooking and food, I chose to attend a college that offered a nutrition degree. At the time I graduated from college, “everyone” did an internship and then took the exam to become an RD. I followed the crowd, and became an RD so I would be qualified to help people learn more about nutrition. Becoming a sports dietitian was not even on my radar screen. In 1973, very few people were talking about how to fuel to win.

What area of dietetics do you work in?

As a sports dietitian, my niche is nutrition for sports and exercise. 

How would you explain what you do?

I work with a variety of sports-active people of all ages and athletic abilities, helping them win with good nutrition. A typical week might include teaching:

• a marathoner how to fuel well and set a personal record. 
• a wrestler to make weight healthfully.
• a triathlete to have enough energy to complete an Ironman. 
• a compulsive exerciser to transform exhaustive exercise into effective training that includes rest days and proper fueling. 
• an eating disordered high school athlete to find peace with food. 

What are your ‘typical’ daily/weekly tasks?

I counsel individual clients on three days a week. I generally present a workshop once a week to a club, team, or professional group; write a blog and/or an article, answer lots of emails, and work on projects. Never a dull moment!

What has been your career path?

I majored in Nutrition at Simmons College in Boston, completed my dietetic internship at Massachusetts General Hospital, worked for 5 years in clinical dietetics and nutrition education, and then went back to graduate school at Boston University, where I earned my masters in Nutrition with a focus on Exercise Physiology. My first job as a sports dietitian was at a sports medicine clinic, where I established myself as one of the nation’s first RDs to create a viable sports nutrition career. Part of my success was due to having written the best-selling Nancy Clark’s Sports Nutrition Guidebook, as well as being a co-leader of a sports nutrition workshop series offered nationwide to groups of health professions. I co-led the workshop with an exercise physiologist. Currently, this workshop is available online. Today, I now enjoy my successful private practice in the Boston-area, as well as sell my handouts and PowerPoint presentations to help other RDs who want to get more involved in this niche.

What advanced education or special training do you have?

In addition to my master’s degree, I have taken an exam that qualifies me as a board certified specialist in sports dietetics (CSSD).

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

Five years from now, sports dietitians will be consultants or employees of most professional sports teams, including baseball, basketball, hockey and football. Sports RDs will also work with athletes coming up through the ranks, starting in high schools, then colleges and sub-elite and recreational sports teams. This is a good time to become a sports dietitian!

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

If you want more information on how to become a sports dietitian, spend time at www.SCANdpg.org. SCAN is the Sports and Cardiovascular Nutrition Dietary Practice Group of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

More about Nancy:

Website: www.NancyClarkRD.com
Workshop: Nutrition Sports Exercise CEUs
Twitter: @nclarkrd

Thanks Nancy! Find out more about What RDs Do.

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

What RDs Do: Samina Qureshi RDN, LD

SAMINA QURESHI

CORPORATE WELLNESS &

WHOLESOME START

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The theme of individualized, personalized, and not one-size-fits all really shines through Samina's responses. Like other dietitians in the series, she also focuses on her client's relationship with food as well as having a holistic approach. Yes, we as dietitians know the importance of nutrition for health, but we also know health is multifaceted and we understand scope of practice as well as referring to the appropriate experts (especially with all the misinformation we encounter). Samina has a great philosophy and valuable insights that influence the way she practices. 

Why did you become a RD?

One of the main reasons I became a dietitian was to help people learn how they can make food work for them instead of against them in restoring their health. During undergrad, I was a research assistant for a mindful eating based binge-eating study and quickly learned how your relationship with food can impact your overall quality of life and health. One of the participants of the study was a veteran and had never cooked a meal before, let alone been to a grocery store to shop for food, and had difficulty managing their health conditions. Basic nutrition education and mindful eating practices empowered them to manage their health. It was at that moment when I realized I can create a career providing people with the tools they need to achieve their best health through personalized nutrition counseling and positive lifestyle changes.

What area of dietetics do you work in?

I work in corporate wellness and run my Integrative & Functional Nutrition private practice Wholesome Start, LLC in Houston, Texas.

How would you explain what you do?

For my corporate wellness position, I help our participants prevent, reverse, and/or manage chronic health conditions through health coaching in nutrition, physical activity, stress management, and other lifestyle techniques.

At Wholesome Start, I provide in-person, phone and virtual nutrition counseling sessions to help people discover the root cause of their health concerns, develop a healthier relationship with food, and unlock their healthiest self. I believe wellness is not a one-size-fits all approach and I celebrate body and cultural diversity. Through my integrative and functional nutrition counseling sessions, my clients honor their relationship with food and restore their health to live a happy and wholesome life.


What are your ‘typical’ daily/weekly tasks?

A typical day for my corporate wellness job includes assessing and reducing the participant's’ health risks through biometric screenings, health risk assessment questionnaires, and ongoing health coaching conversations. I am the head health coach so I also manage and train a team of health coaches, create content for our wellness blog, social media posts, and monthly handouts and challenges.

A typical day working on my private practice includes counseling my clients and providing them with nutrition recommendations to help them achieve their best health, networking in the Houston area, and connecting with my community via social media and the Wholesome Start blog.

What has been your career path?

I began my career in dietetics in the field of corporate wellness and health risk management. I have always practiced with a holistic mindset, encompassing not only nutrition but physical activity, stress management, sleep hygiene, and other areas of wellness to restore balance back into my clients’ lives. I help people discover the root cause of their health concerns instead of only treating or masking symptoms. Recently I opened up my own practice, Wholesome Start, to reach more people within my community.

What advanced education or special training do you have?

Recently I completed training in Integrative & Functional Nutrition and am studying for the Integrative & Functional Nutrition Certified Practitioner exam to receive the IFNCP credential.

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

In an ideal world, Registered Dietitians will be the go-to food and nutrition expert that all health care professionals will refer their patients to help prevent, reverse, and manage health conditions.

What misinformation about RDs would you like to clear up?

I am not the food police. I will not judge the way you nourish your body. As an intuitive eater, I am very flexible, I don’t set rigid food rules or restrictions, and I honor my hunger and satiety cues. I believe that all foods fit within a healthy diet. Food is much more than fuel, it’s a way for you to connect with and meet your physical, emotional, and social needs. There is no one size fits all approach to providing your body with optimal nutrition and working with a registered dietitian is essential to find an individualized approach that will work for you!

What would you like people to know about RDs?

You don’t have to be sick or want to lose weight to visit a RD! You can seek guidance from a RD if you have a simple question, would like to receive credible science based nutrition information, or would like to set up a fun group event for your family, friends, or coworkers. You can work with a RD at any time for any reason! At my private practice I am available to see clients on their schedule from anywhere through virtual consulting. With my services, you have the opportunity to have an RD in the palm of your hands!

What are challenges you encounter as a RD?

One of the biggest challenges I encounter as a dietitian is busting nutrition and weight loss myths from the media. Clients come in with nutrition information from celebrities, fad diets, quack “doctors” and think that there is a magic pill that can cure all. Unfortunately, there’s no magic pill to help you unlock your healthiest self. It takes time to change health behaviors and adopt new habits. The most important lesson I’ve learned about living a balanced lifestyle is to be gentle with yourself, respect the process, and never compare yourself to other people’s journeys. Afterall, comparison is the thief of joy! Every body is unique and your individuality should be celebrated while restoring your health.

What do people think that you do for a living?

People think I make meal plans and tell people what to eat to lose weight. I help people learn how to nourish their bodies in a way that fits with their lifestyle and health concerns.

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

Registered Dietitians (RDs) are the food and nutrition experts who can translate the science of nutrition into practical solutions for wellbeing. So all dietitians are nutritionists but not all nutritionists are dietitians. The term “nutritionist” isn’t protected so anyone, anywhere can be a self proclaimed “health or nutrition expert.” To become a RD, you are required to get your B.S. in dietetics from an accredited university, complete 1200+ hours of supervised practice from an accredited dietetic internship that is often linked with a master's degree program, pass a national board exam, and maintain licensure with continuing education. With all of this education and experience under our belt, you can trust Registered Dietitians to help you make unique, positive lifestyle changes to improve your overall health.

What is your favourite meal?

One of my favorite meals is my mother’s homemade daal (lentils) with rice and curried beef. I encourage my clients to stay true to their culture and love making new recipes from all types of cuisines.

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

For too many people, food is commonly seen as the enemy. Mainstream media influences the masses to believe that you must eat “clean” and look a certain way to be healthy. Some people see food in a very dichotomous way, either good or bad and may associate their behaviors as such. I’m sure you’ve heard people say, “I am such a bad person because I ate dessert today.” But your food choices have nothing to do with your morality. I’ll say that again, what you eat does not define whether or not you are a good or bad person. I mean, come on, you didn’t just rob a bank! You provided your body with some food that you enjoyed eating!

More about Samina:

Visit www.wholesomestart.com to learn more about how Samina can help you feel your best!
Email: wholesomestartrd@gmail.com
Blog: Wholesome Start
Twitter: @WholesomeStart
Instagram: @wholesomestartrd
Facebook: Wholesome Start

Thanks Samina! 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: Cassandra Golden MS, RD, LDN

CASSANDRA GOLDEN
NUTRITION NIBBLES CONSULTING, LLC

NUTRITION DIRECTOR ONYX ELITE

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Cassandra's entrance into the profession is a unique one; I think it's great when a fellow dietitian can encourage someone to follow their path. Like most of us, she is anti-diet and doesn't just spend her days making meal plans. She encourages intuitive eating and lifestyle/long-term changes. Cassandra reminds us of the behind the scenes work that dietitians do as business owners and has complementary training in the fitness world. She lays out a tasty sounding menu below as well!

Why did you become a RD?

In the year 2010, I was sitting in my Personal Wellness elective class at the University of South Florida (USF) when Cynthia Sass entered. Yes, the Legend! Cynthia introduced herself as a Registered Dietitian and I was already sold. That class changed my life. She was so passionate about nutrition, it was contagious. From there, she helped me map out my path to becoming a dietitian.

What area of dietetics do you work in?

I am the owner of the private practice, Nutrition Nibbles Consulting, LLC and the Nutrition Director for ONYX ELITE, which is a brand new performance facility based out of Richmond, VA. I specialize in intuitive eating and long term lifestyle changes. 

How would you explain what you do?

I take nutrition counseling beyond scheduled office visits for non-traditional approaches to nutrition counseling. House calls, movie nights with food-related documentaries, cupboard clean outs, grocery store tours and “walk & talk” appointments are on the menu! I also offer telenutrition services through secure videoconferencing in order to help clients with their food/nutrition related concerns across the nation. Outside of counseling clients, I do all the "behind-the-scenes" tasks, such as updating my website, two blogs and social media platforms. I also serve as a media resource for local publications and television networks as a food/nutrition expert. Finally, I teach kickboxing, pilates and Zumba classes which is more fun than work!

What are your ‘typical’ daily/weekly tasks?

On some days I put the saltshaker in the refrigerator, spray pledge on my hair and pour water in my cereal. I wish this was the newest diet craze you haven’t yet heard of. But, it’s not. I’ll admit I have days where I don’t quite have a handle on things. Then I have those days where I’m a boss. Each day is different. Each week. Each month. Nothing is “the norm”, which is FUN! For the most part, I can be found planning and implementing one-on-one counseling sessions and community events. Outside of this, I also work as an independent contractor for one hospital and two assisted living facilities. 

What has been your career path?

I began my dietetics career as a supermarket dietitian for chain of family owned stores in the northeast. From there, I moved to the south to gain experience in the clinical field. From there I took the leap of faith and transitioned into full-time private practice, which has been a beautiful adventure. In early 2017 I will have the amazing opportunity to be the Director of Nutrition for ONYX ELITE: a performance facility which specializes in sports training, fitness programs and nutrition services to non-professionals and professional athletes as well as mid-sized corporations on the east coast. 

What advanced education or special training do you have?

I have a master’s degree in Dietetics and Nutrition and a bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science. I am also an AFAA group fitness instructor and Zumba Instructor.

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

In 5 years, Dietitians will be as sought after as doctors currently are. Food will be prescribed rather than most medicines. Fad Diets will be thrown to the wolves and Americans will fully adopt a diet that is majorly plants and encompasses intuitive eating.

What do people think that you do for a living?

In three words: Make Meal Plans

What are you passionate about in dietetics?

I am most passionate about the “anti-diet” way of eating. In simple terms, this is intuitive eating-which is the process of rejecting the diet mentality, making peace with food, coping with your emotions, and loving your body! I encourage fresh, whole foods with practical guidelines that can be followed indefinitely! 

What misinformation about RDs would you like to clear up? 

We don’t bite (pun intended!). We don’t judge what you’re eating. We eat more than celery and tree bark! Trust me, I’m not focusing on your plate when I’m over here crushing a quesadilla! Also, bananas ARE in fact healthy and I’m still searching for where the banana myth came from.

What is your favourite meal?

Breakfast: a tie between a Greek omelet and pumpkin whole wheat pancakes

Lunch: Ginger sesame marinated tofu & spaghetti squash salad

Dinner: Zucchini pizza boats

Dessert: A tie between white chocolate macadamia nut cookie or a cannoli

More about Cassandra:

Blog: Nutrition Nibbles Blog  and The Dietitian Chronicles

Website: Nutrition Nibbles Consulting

Facebook: Nutrition Nibbles Consulting LLC

LinkedIn: Cassandra Golden, MS, RD, LDN

Instagram: @nutritionwithcassandra

Thanks Cassandra! 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: Marissa Puleo, RDN

MARISSA PULEO

THRIVE NUTRITION

COUNSELING & CLINICAL DIETITIAN

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I definitely share some similar nutrition perspectives with Marissa. She talks about rediscovering the joy in eating as well as finding the balance between healthy and happy (words I often use too!). Like many dietitians we've seen in the series, she is also involved in a wide variety of roles. She works in the challenging area of rehab and eating disorders, and thus definitely deals with diet misconceptions on a regular basis. She's another dietitian I would love to sit down to a meal with, we do love food after all!

Why did you become a RD? 

Growing up, some of my favorite memories are from being in the kitchen. I grew up in a family where food was a big deal! I’m 100% Italian so cooking wholesome meals from scratch was something that was very common. As I grew up, I noticed how differently others viewed wholesome meals and how often they were avoided. There were diet foods, fat free foods, and 100-calorie packs all around me. I dabbled with these items and found they simply were not as nourishing as eating ‘real’ food. My natural interest in food and health lead me to a career as a registered dietitian. My passion now is to help people enjoy food again and work towards a positive food relationship.

What area of dietetics do you work in? 

My primary population is people with eating disorders and constant dieters. I promote intuitive and mindful eating to achieve a healthy and balanced lifestyle.

How would you explain what you do? 

My hands are currently in lots of pots! I started my own private practice, Thrive Nutrition located in Scranton, PA where I work with clients to reach personalized goals. In addition, I also provide nutrition counseling at Marworth Treatment Center to help addicted individuals recover from substance abuse and Marywood University to help students live healthier lifestyles while living at college. In addition, I am a part-time clinical dietitian at Wilkes-Barre General Hospital. I know, busy, busy!

What are your ‘typical’ daily/weekly tasks? 

When working for my own business, I am either working directly with clients creating goals and steps to achieve these goals. Behind the scenes, I do a lot of work to communicate with the community by writing blog posts, sharing recipes, and doing presentations for different companies. I currently do all my scheduling and billing, so even when I’m not in the office, I’m working on something.

When at other sites, I also provide nutrition counseling for individuals, but also work with more small groups. I lead a nutrition process group to discuss the importance of nutrition in recovery when at Marworth and also provide a monthly presentation on Grocery Shopping and Meal Planning.

What has been your career path? 

I received my B.S. from West Chester University of PA and I completed my dietetic internship at Marywood University. When I first passed my RD exam, I became a part-time clinical dietitian at Regional Hospital of Scranton and part-time long-term care dietitian at Mercy Center in Dallas, PA. It was not long before I was laid off at the hospital and I decided to take the plunge at that time and start my own business. I have since focused on growing my career as a private practice and consultant RD by providing nutrition counseling.

What advanced education or special training do you have? 

I am planning to attend the Annual Renfrew Center Foundation Conference for professionals to gain more perspective on helping those with eating disorders. I have attended several local seminars and trainings to remain current in the ever changing world of nutrition!

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

Ideally, I think it would be amazing if there were more eating disorder dietitians. It’s such a growing concern for many as cases rise and where to turn for help is commonly a struggle. Food wise, I hope that more people can understand that calories are not always the enemy and to focus more attention on ingredient labels.

What do people think that you do for a living? 

I think people think I’m the food police and just tell people what to eat and avoid all day. PSA: This could not be more inaccurate and makes for a great opportunity to share what I really do!

What are you passionate about in dietetics? 

I am mostly passionate about helping people understand they don’t need to diet to be healthy. My focus is to help people to trust their bodies and eat foods that are nourishing for the mind and body.

What is your favourite meal? 

I could go for pasta, penne to be exact, with meatballs and homemade sauce anytime ;)

More about Marissa:

Phone: 570-731-3200
Email : thrivenutriitoncounseling@gmail.com
Instagram : @thrivenutritioncounseling
Facebook: Thrive Nutrition
Website: Thrive Nutrition

Thanks Marissa! 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: Lisa Andrews MEd, RD, LD

LISA ANDREWS

@NUTRIGIRL

SOUND BITES NUTRITION, LLC

for something nutrishus

It's great to see that a dietitian with so many different experiences and that has worked in a variety of roles, still sees the future as an opportunity for dietitians to be involved in even more areas of practice. As you've been seeing in this series, this is a career for you if you like doing different things every day or every week. Lisa also reminds us that although we're translating science, there is also an art to the work we do.

Why did you become a RD? 

I became an RD because I was always interested in science and health when I was growing up. I am also a people person, so talking to people and helping them is just in my nature. My dad had diabetes, so I was always curious as to why his diet was modified.

What area of dietetics do you work in? 

I worked as a clinical RD for several years in acute care, nutrition support. Currently, I’m in private practice.

How would you explain what you do? 

I think I have “RD ADHD”. No day is the same for me. I see clients in an office, provide grocery store tours, do lectures or food demos for companies, freelance writing and some media work. I love the variety of work! It can be challenging to switch gears, but it is much more fun than doing the same work every day.

What are your ‘typical’ daily/weekly tasks? 

I update social media and my blog regularly. I see a handful of clients per week and write progress notes to physicians. I may do a lecture somewhere or health coaching at a company. I write at least 2-4 articles per month for Food & Health Communications and answer questions on Dietititian Central.com. I recently won a grant to have pantries placed in low income neighborhoods, so much of my time will be spent on this. Every week is different!

What has been your career path? 

I worked in acute care for 23+ years, but honestly, I had my foot out the door for at least 15 of it. I worked full time and got my Masters degree, then went part time at the VA where I was working. I taught classes at 2 universities as an adjunct and also had a community agency job part time. I did a lot of writing for free, which helped get my name out in the field. I feel like I’ve been consulting longer than 8 years because of the variety of work that I wedged into my schedule over time.

What advanced education or special training do you have? 

I have a Masters degree in Education in Nutrition. I have a certificate in training for Adult Weight Management and may go for the Certification some time in the future.

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

I would love to see more RDs in retail and working in non-profits doing work in agriculture or sustainability. We need to get ahead of the food curve. I can see more dietitians in marketing and writing.

What misinformation about RDs would you like to clear up? 

I wish people didn’t think RDs were militant about their diets. If we didn’t like food, we wouldn’t be in the field! We eat healthy most of the time, but also might love wine and chocolate.

What would you like people to know about RDs? 

I’d like people to know we are highly intelligent and work hard. We deserve more opportunities in health care and other arenas that we are not currently offered (i.e. medical sales, health education or training in hospitals, marketing of food products for companies). It always bothered me that nurses were considered for promotions or management jobs, but RDs were not.

What are challenges you encounter as a RD? 

Biggest challenge is competing with non-RDs. It seems that everyone that eats thinks they are a nutrition expert! There are too many hacks out there that claim they are nutrition experts.

What do people think that you do for a living? 

People think I counsel patients on diets all day long.

What are you passionate about in dietetics? 

I am passionate about how RDs and food experts can change a person’s life through better diet. I like how creative I get to be in this field.

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

I think RDs have more training in clinical care than wellness professionals. We know in depth about disease and personalize our recommendations to people. We also know more about cooking and research. I call RDs the “Real Deal” in Nutrition!

What is your favourite meal? 

My favorite meal is a Thai peanut noodle dish I make with chicken. I love anything with ginger in it!

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

Never underestimate the value of volunteering, networking and mentoring. I believe it’s vital that people stay connected and give back to others (whether this is to a student or colleague). What comes around, goes around. Never burn any bridges. The world is a small place.

Anything else you’d like to add that you feel would be valuable: 

Check out my blog: www.soundbitesnutrition.com

More about Lisa:

Twitter: @nutrigirl 

Instagram: nutrigirl66 

Blog: Sound Bites Nutrition 

Facebook: Sound Bites Nutrition, LLC

Pinterest: Sound Bites Nutrition, LLC 

LinkedIn: Lisa (Cicciarello) Andrews

Thanks Lisa! 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: Lindsey House RD, LD

LINDSEY HOUSE

INSIDE OUT BEAUTY, ACCOUNTABILITY COACH

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Lindsey and I seem to have a lot of similar interests and passions. Having worked in surgical weight loss and getting a personal training certificate along the way, she has now carved out a niche in her strength area, and in an area where her caring and motivating personality are a great fit. 

Why did you become a RD? 

I was heavily active in sports growing up and had a built in love of health and fitness. When I went to Miami University for college orientation, I learned about dietetics and thought that this could not be more perfect (good thing I did not fully grasp the concept of all the chemistry classes and tears ahead of me! Ha.)

What area of dietetics do you work in? 

I spent the last 10 years of my career in surgical weight loss. I fell in love with outpatient counseling and the idea of getting to follow my patients through their journey to health. Due to family needs and the need for flexibility, I left the hospital to start working from home. I now provide skype accountability sessions and lead fitness challenges at an amazing company called “Inside Out Beauty”. I work 100% virtually and continue to love the world of counseling.

How would you explain what you do? 

My accountability sessions are lead like health coaching sessions. My clients come to me with their own needs (most in the category of “I know what to do, I just need to do it”). We do anything from meal planning, fitness calendars, behavior goals…clients walk away with a game plan for the next week or two and then we come back together to review previous goals and adjust accordingly.

My fitness challenges are virtual as well. Clients choose a 7 day jump start accountability group or a 30 day group that will cover fitness, nutrition and behavior goal setting as well. Clients are placed in a virtual group where they get constant support and accountability. They set their own goals and are lead through their days with instructional and motivational videos.

What are your ‘typical’ daily/weekly tasks? 

My schedule is currently light because I am in the process of building my brand and filling my coaching schedule. My daily commitment is to my “like” page on facebook and this is considered my business page.

What has been your career path? 

I started as an acute care RD in a hospital and I covered all floors, so I was able to get a taste of everything (bone marrow unit, ICU, cardiac, ortho). I was working PRN ('pro re nata' - as needed) and decided to interview at an athletic club as a consulting RD. The hours were sporadic throughout the day and they encouraged me to get my personal training license to fill the in-between hours.

I ended up loving personal training and it was a fantastic mix of counseling and being out on the floor. I then happened upon an opportunity to cover a maternity leave in a surgical weight loss center and I almost didn’t take it due to time restraints, but I knew that I loved counseling and this could be an amazing outpatient opportunity. I fell in love with this position and worked the next 10 years in our surgical weight loss center.

When Kindergarten was starting for my oldest I was struggling with logistics of my commute to and from work with kid coverage before and after school (I thought daycare was so much easier to work around!). I decided to take, what I’m calling, a sabbatical and build a virtual clientele to work from home. I worked with a branding coach, have built my niche and brand as an Accountability Coach (functioning more as a health coach vs. doing specific dietary counseling). I officially am loving utilizing skype and other virtual options to provide my clients with easy scheduling, removing barriers for cancellations and time restraints.

What advanced education or special training do you have? 

I would consider my personal training certificate as special training as well as 10 year knowledge base in surgical weight loss.

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

Oh boy, you just opened up my soap box!! In 5 years from now, I hope we are that much further away from “diet mentality”. I hope we have fully jumped into rewriting the rules of what success looks like… individuals are giving themselves credit for all of their amazing efforts that may have nothing to do with the scale.

I hope this generation can start to deemphasize the scale, reaching a specific weight and put emphasize on feeling good and working toward being the best “me” we can be. I don’t truly believe that we can fully change this generation, however the next generation is watching. If our young children are not jumping on & off scales, valuing their self-worth by what they weigh, not trying every new diet fad, look at food and fitness as a way to feel their best, fuel up for sports, etc.…then we are on the right track!

My favorite tags are: #progressoverperfection #rewritetherulestosuccess #smallchanges

What misinformation about RDs would you like to clear up? 

I could be goofy and say a common misconception is that we all are amazing cooks! Ha. However, my serious response is that we are rigid and expect perfection. I cannot tell you how many clients of mine are floored that I’m not immediately taking away their diet cokes, alcohol or bread :). I let people set their own goals and choose their own battles… sometimes we are ready to increase movement and drink more water… but asked to omit soda could send you to the dark side.

What would you like people to know about RDs? 

Dietitian’s want you to succeed!!! Most go into the profession because of the love of people, health and fitness. We are not the fad diet, the fast track to immediate weight loss… however, we are the loving arms that will help you build life long habits that will let you live with energy, sleep better and minimize disease. Dietitians assess their clients from all angles, are thorough and take the time necessary to provide their client/patient with the best care possible.

What are challenges you encounter as a RD? 

Because I have existed in the weight management arena for most of my career, my biggest challenge is fighting the power of the scale! I can get clients to a positive place where they are finally giving themselves credit for the small changes (i.e. hit a step goal, slept 8 hours a night, decreased soda by 2 per day) and if the scale does not provide the expected number, I have to start back at square one. (I honestly struggle that MD’s put so much emphasis on the scale… their patient’s hang on their every word).

What do people think that you do for a living? 

Since I exist on social media and provide coaching… I do not get a lot of confusion. The confusion I stand up against is the person that looks at me and says, “people pay you to keep them accountable? Don’t people know how to workout more? How to eat healthier?”.

There is a population that understands the importance of accountability, they succeed with it, struggle without it. I’m fine with people not truly understanding why someone would hire me, because I get to see first hand the success of individuals who invite me on their journey!!

What are you passionate about in dietetics?

I’m a broken record, but I’m extremely passionate about helping people settle into the mentality of “progress over perfection” when it comes to nutrition and fitness. We can aim for perfection in other facets of life, but it does not work in the health and fitness world.

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

I strongly believe that we are all in it because we care and when helping is coming from a good place, it’s hard to criticize or say that we all cannot make a difference. The only difference I would like to point out is an RD’s background. There is a reason for the schooling, the internship and it is because there is monumental learning and understanding being built!!! The ability to assess a question, a client’s history with great attention to detail and thoroughness. I’m sure there is an answer written better than my wording in a pamphlet somewhere :)

What is your favourite meal? 

I LOVE a full fondue meal, I think it’s not only the taste, but I like when eating takes a long time and it’s more about the social component vs the act of eating.

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

I would encourage everyone to find someone that inspires you! I have a client who calls her accountability team her “dream team”. She has built a relationship with a personal trainer, dietitian, physical therapist and at any given point in her life she pulls in a member or all members from her team!!

Do I think we all need a therapist, trainer, dietitian, chef, etc.? Do I think we all have the money for this extensive team? NO!! It can be as simple as following someone on social media that inspires you, listening to podcasts, grabbing a trainer during crazy seasons of life!! It’s truly about understanding your own needs and what has worked for you in successful moments of life!!

More about Lindsey:

Facebook: Lindsey House, Accountability Coach
Website: Inside Out Beauty
Facebook: Inside Out Beauty
Email: houselifestyles@gmail.com

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Thanks Lindsey! Find out more about What RDsDo.

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