What RDs Do: Jorie Janzen RD, IOC Dipl Sports Nutr, CSSD, CCF

JORIE JANZEN
DIRECTOR OF SPORT DIETETICS

for something nutrishus

I know and have met Jorie in person (she is a human after all!). I filled a maternity leave and consult for the Canadian Sport Centre Saskatchewan, the province next to hers. She wasn't there when I played, but I would have worked with her in Winnipeg with the Canadian Women's Indoor Volleyball Team as well. Jorie has been working and mentoring in the field for almost 15 years in the areas of nutrition for sport performance, disordered eating and eating disorders, and in corporate health and wellness. This interview is just another way for her to give back and support others.

Why did you become a RD?

Because I needed to pick something to go into! LOL! Seriously. I was in second year just taking courses. I started to freak out because I did not know what I was going to do with my life. I decided to use the University counselling services and dietetics came up. I had no idea what this involved, so took a couple of courses and thought, what the heck! I have to go into something. Nutrition seemed pretty cool…but I still had no idea what a dietitian did until internship.

What area of dietetics do you work in?

I currently work in sports dietetics as my full time area of practice as Director of Sport Dietetics at the Canadian Sport Centre-Manitoba. I also have a small private practice that includes workplace wellness and ED/DE (eating disorders/disordered eating) in athletes.

How would you explain what you do?

What do I do….always a question I ask myself! I think what I do is coach those willing to work with me in resolving a conflict they are having with themselves and food. Really, we as dietitians are conflict resolution specialists in our areas of expertise!

What are your ‘typical’ daily/weekly tasks?

As with many dietitians, what is typical is that there is no typical. If I have to somewhat narrow down typical tasks it would be connecting with my ISTs (interdisciplinary support teams) around the athletes we work with to ensure we are all doing what is needed to support athletes, coaches and at times parents/significant others. Sometimes there are the mechanical things to do such as nutrient analysis, developing and modifying meal plans, grocery store tours, cooking classes, hydration testing, body composition testing, connecting with my colleagues across the country, presenting to teachers, coaches, parents…and I do a ton of mentoring! I am a huge believer that there is room for all of us and if we build each other up we will all be stronger practitioners/service providers because of it.

What has been your career path? What advanced education or special training do you have?

I went to the University of Manitoba and got my BHEc (major Nutrition) and completed Health Sciences Centre Dietetic Internship program. I did not start out full time in sport. Out of internship I started working at two long-term care facilities and eventually moved to a larger facility. Then, an amazing opportunity came up with the WRHA Surgery Prehabilitation Program where I worked with an amazing team of professionals getting patients healthy for hip/knee replacement surgery. All the while I kept a private practice on the side taking on team sport nutrition presentations for provincial teams, Canada Games preperations, coach workshops as well as co-chairing the DC SNN, sitting on the executive board for Sport Medicine and Science Council Manitoba and started the Manitoba Sport Nutrition Network.

I then completed the IOC Diploma in Sports Nutrition. Next up, my current position as Director of Sports Dietetics with the Canadian Sport Centre-Manitoba. As well I have added the CSSD (Board Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics) credential. I also did the ISAK Level 1 certification, but do need to take the course again to renew. I also attended several leadership workshops as well as one of my favourites for working with and dealing with clients; Molley Kellogg’s Intensive Motivational Interviewing course and became a Life Coach through the Certified Coaches Federation certification.

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

Wow. This is such a massive and possibly loaded question and I could likely fill pages upon pages around this one question. Working in sport I have experienced great joys and achievements and great sadness and failures. I will try to keep this to the point and positive with my hopes. In an ideal world, I would hope that the area of sports nutrition is seen as vital as any other area RDs practice. I hope that dietetic programs and internship programs start to value and provide higher-level education and practicum opportunities. Right now there is ONE course in the faculty devoted to sports nutrition at the University of Manitoba. I only get 2 interns a year for 3-weeks to mentor! And the reason is that interns need to gain experience in clinical or out patient or rural areas. Guess what?! A sports dietitian can easily provide such opportunities! Dietitians who work in sport deal with rehabilitation (concussion, surgery, other injuries), eating disorders and disordered eating, food intolerances and allergies, hematological issues, dietary restrictions or changes and so much more!

In five years I hope that the dietetic education programs has a greater respect for this area of practice. In five years I hope that sport medicine clinics, college and university sport programs and other organizations working with athletes see the value of having a sports dietitian as part of the full time staff/program.

What misinformation about RDs would you like to clear up?

In the area of sports nutrition, I would like to clear up that we do not work with only healthy and motivated people. We work with human beings who happen to be athletes, dancers, or performers. These are human beings who are often very high achievers and need support from us. They fall prey to the same misinformation as the rest of the world because…they are human.

What would you like people to know about RDs?

Working in sport or working in research or in a clinical setting, we do amazing work every single day! We counsel, motivate, inspire and even save lives! We clear up myths vs. facts. We are also very human….my most favorite part!

What do people think that you do for a living?

I tell people what to eat. Others seem to think I can provide medical advice or diagnose ailments. The latter makes me laugh!

What are you passionate about in dietetics?

I am extremely passionate about clearing up false information and normalizing food. I love making fun of what people think we do! Gotta have fun with it!

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

Well, for one, we are regulated and accountable to a regulatory body. So, we have to be evidence based. And, generally, RDs are not all about the black and white way of eating. Every time I give a talk or meet with a client they feel relieved to not be judged.

What is your favourite meal? 

I love Thai and Indian food. But I always look forward to dessert.

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

No matter what area you choose to practice in, always surround yourself with other professionals who can support you and you support them – not just other RDs but other professionals. I have found that when you give, there will always be others waiting to give back.

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

Even though I do strongly feel that there is much growth to be done in sports nutrition practice in Canada…I always try to make the grass greener on my side! Life is more enjoyable that way!

More about Jorie:

Website: Jorie Janzen
Website: Canadian Sport Centre Manitoba
Twitter: @jjjanzen
Instagram: @joriejanzen

Thanks Jorie! 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

for something nutrishus

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: Nathan Diaz, MS, RD, LDN

NATHAN DIAZ

NUTRITION FOR PERFORMANCE
& LONG TERM CARE

for something nutrishus

Nathan came across the series on Instagram and of course, we're happy to share another male interview! He's a new dietitian, but as you'll see, he's very passionate and we wish him success in putting more smiles on people's faces. RDs have their work cut out for them when it comes to misinformation, but I do continue to wonder why everyone thinks we're judging them?!

Why did you become a RD?

I became an RD to showcase the power of food. After many years of sifting through the plethora of false information out there on the topic of nutrition, I decided to take on this challenge as a profession and deliver the real facts backed by the latest scientific research that can help people become better versions of themselves. I incorporated cooking into my overall nutrition philosophy because I truly believe cooking is a powerful skill set that has been lost and can really help people adopt a healthier lifestyle. I also believe cooking brings people together and coupled with my knowledge in nutrition, I hope I can bring people closer together.

What area of dietetics do you work in?

I am all over the place when it comes to the areas of dietetics that I am involved in. On one side of the spectrum, I work in the private practice sector where I deal primarily with younger adults as well as athletes of various ages. When I am not meeting with clients privately, I work as the sole dietitian for a long term care facility dealing primarily with the geriatric population. When I am not in the nursing home or in my office counseling clients, I am cooking and developing recipes to showcase for potential personal chef clients. 

How would you explain what you do?

Whether I am counseling a client, meeting with a resident at the long-term care facility, or in the kitchen cooking for people, what I do is very simple. I put smiles on people’s faces through food. When I am counseling a client and they meet their food and nutrition related goals, their smile lights up the room. When I sit with an elderly resident and personalize a menu that meets all their dietary needs and tastes delicious, their smile lights up the room. When I cook for a group of people or an individual person, and the food is nutritious and tastes delicious, their smile lights up the room. Making people smile is what I strive for.

What are your ‘typical’ daily/weekly tasks?

Let me start by saying every day and every week brings different challenges and task. This is what I love about the dietetics profession. Twice a week, I work at the long-term care facility. There I am seeing new residents, following up with residents, doing quarterly and annual evaluations, or just popping in and saying hi to the residents during breakfast and lunch. I also sit with the interdisciplinary team and talk about high risk residents and or those that have had significant changes. After doing my MNT (Medical Nutrition Therapy) duties, I meet with the food service director and go over anything on the food service side. This includes, updating resident’s preferences, tray testing, or simply brainstorming ways to be more efficient.

Typically, my weeks start with following up with all my clients. This is done via phone, email, text, or in person. Throughout the week, I strategize with my marketing team and see new clients. Recently, I partnered with a couple of colleagues and created our first seasonal cookbook. This required hours of picture taking, editing, and actually putting the cookbook together. I work on different side projects in order to add value to the people out there that follow me on social media or are frequent visitors of my website.

What has been your career path?

I became an RD in February 2017, so my path has just begun. When I started looking for job, there were not many full-time positions available. I knew I needed to start somewhere so I started as an independent contractor with a physical therapy and fitness center. This structure was new to me because for the first time, I was my own boss. Moving to a new city (Boston), I had to start from scratch, start new relationships, build up my reputation, etc. At the beginning, I had extra time, so I decided to apply to a new long term care facility that needed a dietitian. This would allow me to maintain my MNT skills as well as give back to a population that is dear to my heart. Currently, I am still working at both place. 

What advanced education or special training do you have?

This year, I received my ISAK certification for anthropometry. As a certified anthropometrist, I accurately measure and analyze body composition data for my clients. This has been very successful with motivating my clients by giving them objective data to trend.

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

The field of dietetics is growing exponentially. Areas like sports nutrition have been growing by the day. People are realizing the importance of nutrition and how it plays into one’s overall health and performance. In 5 years, you will see dietitians everywhere and we will be known exclusively as the nutrition experts across the entire healthcare field. People will recognize what a registered dietitian is, and the capabilities we have to help them reach their health related goals.

What misinformation about RDs would you like to clear up?

WE ARE NOT THE FOOD POLICE. We do not sit there and judge and penalize you for what you eat. Many times, I find clients come into a consult and list all the “healthy” foods they have eaten over the past 24 hours but fail to mention the “unhealthier” options. We are here to help you and in order for us to do so we need the whole truth. Do not hold back. We will not judge you. I promise.

What would you like people to know about RDs?

We are truly passionate about nutrition and own the title of being nutrition experts. We have the knowledge and skill set to help you achieve any nutrition related health goal. We also wear many different hats. For example, I wear the counselor hat, food service manager hat, accountant hat, chef hat, leader hat, motivator hat. Our fields of practice require us to juggle many different jobs.

What are challenges you encounter as a RD?

Getting people off the “quick fix” mentality and accepting the fact that behavior change takes time and to embrace the process.

What do people think that you do for a living?

Many people think I just design meal plans and send people on their way. As many dietitians out there know, it is much more than that.

What are you passionate about in dietetics?

My main passion is helping someone who is truly struggling reach their optimal potential, physically and mentally. Physical health along with the mental health aspect of behavior change is what I am most passionate about. It does my clients no good if they are fit and healthy but their mental state is shattered. I feel this is what leads people back to their old habits. I strive to achieve both types of health with my clients.

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

We went through some rigorous years as students and interns, mastering our craft as nutrition experts. We have a toolbox filled with effective behavior change assessments and tactics that many other wellness professionals may not have. We have the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) as our gold standard of practice. AND has a plethora of resources that many other wellness professionals do not have access to.

What is your favourite meal?

This goes back to my roots. In the Latin culture, roasting a whole pig with your grandfather is something that is done year round, if not multiple times per year. It is a tradition that gets passed down generations. So, I would have to say my grandfather’s slow cooked pork with a side of ‘arroz con gandules’ (rice and beans). The Latin flavors get me every time.

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

People say finding balance and moderation is key. That is definitely easier said than done. When you are changing your dietary habits, you have to remember, you are trying to change lifelong habits. That is not easy to do! Utilize a dietitian to help you obtain that happy balance and remember, happiness is a full body feeling, both physically and mentally. Do not get discouraged when you fail on your journey to a better and healthier you. Embrace the failures, learn from them, and get back on your feet. It is only a failure if it is repeated over and over.

More about Nathan:

Website: Nutrition For Performance

Blog: Nutrition For Performance Blog

Instagram: @nate_thechefboyrd & @nutrition4performance

Thanks Nathan! 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: Andres Ayesta, MS, RDN, CSCS, CSSD, LD

ANDRES AYESTA

VIVE NUTRITION

for something nutrishus

Andres had an interesting path to lead him to dietetics, but it seems that he has already accomplished a lot in his career, so I feel his goals are within reason. Like Andres, I was attracted to the profession due to prevention rather than treatment. He reminds us that dietitians (not dieticians) are continually learning and very passionate individuals; something this series continue to remind me of. 

Why did you become a RD?

I grew up wanting to be a doctor. I remember playing with toy stethoscopes and a lab coat since I was 5. When I graduated high school, my dream was shattered when I didn’t get into med school. In Venezuela, where I am from, Nutrition and Dietetics school was part of the same School of Medicine in the school I went to. I figured I would just enrol in that major, and then switch over since it was less competitive. Well I never switched. I realized that my job as an RD could have more value as I was providing people with quality of life, and preventing disease vs. treating it.

What area of dietetics do you work in?

Sports Nutrition and Weight Management

How would you explain what you do?

I run a private practice that aims to provide tools and strategies to improve lifestyles via nutrition knowledge at the same time as working with elite and pro-level athletes at the Applied Science and Performance Institute (ASPI), aiming to optimize sports performance and overall athlete health.

What are your ‘typical’ daily/weekly tasks?

• Create content for social media platforms. I started creating video recipes weekly on my Instagram back in November last year. I post every Monday.
• Nutrition coaching with clients along with meal planning and other supportive materials required for them to have
• Administrative work (Office supplies, accounting, etc.)
• Research and Continuing Education. I try to read at least one nutrition article from a peer-reviewed journal weekly, and listen to one nutrition and fitness related podcast to stay up to date on the latest.
• I make room to stay fit and exercise. I like to lift heavy things, and get my heart rate up pushing my boundaries. As an RD I believe we need to sell what we are, and taking care of yourself is a must for that.

What has been your career path?

I moved to the U.S. in 2009 from Venezuela to continue to dietetics degree at the University of Southern Indiana in Evansville, IN. In 2012, I received my Bachelor’s of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics, and was accepted to the University of Houston Dietetic Internship where I completed rotations at the Texas Medical Center. In 2013 I was hired as a sports nutrition coach at IMG Academy, a state-of-the-art athletic facility for high performance athletes. In 2016 I received my Masters Degree in Exercise Science and Sports Nutrition. I also founded my private practice Vive Nutrition in 2016. In 2017 I was hired as the Sports Dietitian for the APSI in Tampa, FL overseeing nutrition and fuelling for all-level athletes. My goals are to become a leader in sports nutrition, and possibly work with pro sports like NFL and MLB.

What advanced education or special training do you have?

Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS)

Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics (CSSD)

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

This is a great question. We (millennials) are in a time of progressiveness in health and fitness that is amazing. More and more people are starting to become more active and have geared their focus towards understanding the importance of healthy eating. In an ideal world I think we should leverage that interest to continue to grow as nutrition professionals defending our expertise to avoid misinformation provided by various media channels. We will live in a world where people will recognize our value as RDs to provide knowledge to lead healthier and better lifestyles, ultimately understanding that it is better to prevent than to treat medical ailments.

What misinformation about RDs would you like to clear up?

All RDs are different. We have specialties just like doctors do. A lot of people don’t understand that not all RDs are able to help them if their problems go beyond their areas of expertise. When looking for an RD to work with, make sure you find one that aligns with your expectations and explain to them what you are looking for to make sure you can both work together.

What would you like people to know about RDs?

We are humans, we eat everything. I feel judged everytime I eat a slice of pizza or a cupcake lol. There is room for everything people, Geez!

What are challenges you encounter as a RD?

Finding yourself competing with Non-RDs “Nutrition Coaches” and “Nutrition experts” who grow their audiences in social media, and sell nutrition “solutions” and “shortcuts” for fat loss, with generic programs with little to no customization. People are different. It is a pet peeve to me to deal with misinformation out there. I also encounter the challenge of people spelling Dietitian with C instead of a T. That’s a NO NO.

What do people think that you do for a living?

Write diet plans all day long. I get asked for these even at late hours of social events. 

What are you passionate about in dietetics?

That smile from people when they tell me I have been an instrumental part of their lifestyle change. Knowing I am making an impact in the future of people even if they do not see it immediately. When working with athletes, seeing them progress in their sport and that feeling of knowing nutrition has a large impact in their outcomes and results. That fires up my passion every day!

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

The intense education and training we receive. Only those who have a deep passion to this field make good RDs.

What is your favourite meal?

Pizza all day!

More about Andres:

Instagram: @vivenutrition

YouTube: VIvenutrition (*for awesome weekly video recipes). 

Blog: VIVE nutrition

Email: andres@vive-nutrition.com

Thanks Andres! 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: Jim Seeger, M. Ed., RDN, LDN, ATC

JIM SEEGER

SPORTS RD

for something nutrishus

 

Jim correctly pointed out the lack of men in this series, so I challenged him to take part! He also inspired me to reach out, and as you can see there is more male representation now. A love of food and a passion for working with people led Jim to dietetics. He has a unique set of skills and credentials which impact the nutrition education he provides. 

Why did you become a RD?

I went to the Culinary Institute of America, in Hyde Park '93 and was cooking professionally. I worked as a chef and wanted to help provide food that was nutritious and "tasted good"! In the past food that was "healthy" always not very palatable. In addition, getting back to where food actually comes from was vital for health and nutrition.

What area of dietetics do you work in?

I currently work in the area of athletics, providing food and nutrition expertise to athletes and physically active individuals either in the athletic training room or when I teach cooking to surgical residents.

How would you explain what you do?

I take care of physically active individuals as an ATC (certified athletic trainer) and as an RD. I use my cooking knowledge to help educated individuals on what food is, healthy food and how it can impact their performance. As one of my mentors said, "nutrition is never neutral."

What are your typical daily/weekly tasks?

I interact daily with high school athletes in the training room. I prepare the athletes for practice and games. This begins with my assessment, testing and making recommendation for rehabbing their injuries. I am part of the sports medicine team helping the athletes prepare for their work to improve.

What has been your career path?
I don't have the typical career path but have combined a series of professions that work well together. All this really starts with my love of food. There is "no good or bad food" just how we use it. I have obtained certifications and licensure so I can practice and help the populations I have worked with.

What advanced education or special training do you have?

I earned a Masters in Education, then worked in professional sports in the marketing and sales side of athletics. I decided that dealing with people was my true passion and earned my RD and then ATC (certified athletic trainer) while having licensure in both disciplines.

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

Well, I don't live in Utopia, but we as the food and nutrition experts will still be fighting the misinformation about nutrition and trying to fight the "magic bullet" when hard work and eating food still is the key.

More about Jim:

Twitter: @JSeegerRDATC

Thanks Jim! 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: Leslie Bonci, MPH, RDN, CSSD, LDN

LESLIE BONCI

ACTIVE EATING ADVICE BY LESLIE

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I took a stab in the dark and reached out to Leslie on twitter to see if she'd be interested in taking part in the series, she graciously accepted and I am pleased to share her responses below. I've worked in sport nutrition throughout my private practice years, so to me, Leslie Bonci is a household name and I'm honoured to share her experience and expertise, as well as her infectious personality!

Why did you become a RD?

I majored in biopsychology as an undergraduate, wasn’t sure what I wanted to do with that degree but in graduate school my first class was a maternal and child nutrition course and I knew right away. I wanted to impact an individual’s health through their mind and plate.

What area of dietetics do you work in?

I started in Cardiac and Pulmonary rehab, went on to general outpatient nutrition, and then specialized in sports nutrition, digestive disorders, eating disorders and weight management.

How would you explain what you do?

On any given day, I can be one-on-one with clients, doing media work, recipe development, teaching a class, or writing. I never have cookie cutter days which makes me very happy.

What are your ‘typical’ daily/weekly tasks?

I never have typical days, but weekly I do both radio and TV, weekly I see clients on an individual basis, weekly I devote time to writing (working on 2 manuscripts), weekly I work on recipe development/ideas for pitches, and blogs on behalf of industry clients.

What has been your career path?

Untraditional.

Undergrad degree in Biopsychology from Vassar college- graduated in 3 years, went to graduate school at the University of Pittsburgh graduate school of public health and obtained in a 3 year period a MPH (Master of Public Health) in Nutritional Epidemiology, took the undergrad nutrition courses and grad nutrition courses to fulfill the requirements for a dietetic internship, did the dietetic internship and also worked on a research study funded by the National Cancer Institute.

My first job as a RD was at a Cardiac and Wellness Center in Wheeling, WV where I had the opportunity to work with exercise physiologists and develop wellness programs. Moving back to Pittsburgh, I contacted the University of Pittsburgh department of athletics and they said yes to having me work with their athletes. I worked with Pitt athletics for 29 years. I also worked for the Pittsburgh Steelers (24 years), The Cleveland Browns (3 years), The Pittsburgh Pirates (15 years), Toronto Blue Jays (15 years), Washington Nationals (3 years), Milwaukee Brewers (3 years), Pittsburgh Penguins (5 years) and still work with the Kansas City Chiefs (going on my 3rd year). I also consult to the Pittsburgh Ballet Theater, the WNBA and Olympic athletes.

I was also a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics for 8 years and still do quite a bit of media: TV, radio, print, online and videos.

I have authored 2 books and co-authored 4 books.

What advanced education or special training do you have?

I have the CSSD credential- board certified specialist in sports dietetics.

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

Many more private practitioners delivering our counseling via cyberspace. Nutrigenomics will play more of a role so we can customize our recommendations as precisely as possible. There will be more nutrition “experts” in our space so we have to find the way to stand out, debunk the junk and safeguard our clients.

What misinformation about RDs would you like to clear up?

We are not the watchdogs, we want to be eating enablers, not disablers. We are food and nutrition professionals. We eat and we want our clients/patients to enjoy food without guilt, fear or angst.

What would you like people to know about RDs?

We have fun, we are fearless, we are proactive not reactive and we can have an impact. We are the Real Deal!

What are challenges you encounter as a RD?

Trying to debunk the misinformation when my clients get their nutrition info from those that do NOT know. Trying to position science as sciensensational, and combat the scienciness that non RDs tend to preach.

What do people think that you do for a living?

I am often referred to as the nutrition lady, kind of like the Avon lady going door-to-door selling nutrition. Actually a door-to-door food truck would really be meals on wheels and give people the opportunity to taste and learn simultaneously!

What are you passionate about in dietetics?

The ability to compel and impel as well as dispel the misinformation. The excitement of taking the science and communicating in easily digestible bites while cultivating consumers’ interest in taking care of themselves for the long run. I am always thrilled when an eating disorder patient is actually able to eat without fear, or the Crohn’s patient eats without pain, or the athlete notices positive impacts on performance as a result of tweaks to timing, quantity or quality of his/her eating plan.

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

We bring the food and nutrition expertise, the clinical background, the counseling background, the understanding of the importance and role of cultural diversity on food choices as well as knowledge of nutrition needs throughout the lifecycle.

In addition our background in food service and food science enables us to put the nutrition into the kitchen!

What is your favourite meal?

Seafood bouillabaisse, crusty Sourdough bread and a wonderful Pinot Noir.

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

Try everything. Be willing to go out of your comfort zone. Be humble and don’t be afraid to stumble. Be assertive and take chances. Put yourself out there because if you don’t someone else will!

More about Leslie:

Website: Active Eating Advice by Leslie
Twitter: @lesliebonci #ActiveAdvice
Instagram: @boncilj
Facebook : Leslie Bonci
LinkedIn: Leslie Bonci
Google+: Leslie Bonci

Thanks Leslie! 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: Jill Merkel MS, RD, CSSD, LD

JILL MERKEL
NUTRITION FOR ENDURANCE 
& RUN.EAT.SNAP.
for something nutrishus

Jill found the series on Instagram and was eager to take part. Her work with athletes and thoughts for the future are ones that I hope will trickle into Canada as well, as our colleges don't seem to have full time dietitians yet (there's an opportunity there!). I can totally relate and I agree with Jill, that I often feel judged about my food choices because of what I do for a living, yet most (if not all) dietitians I know love food and things like wine and chocolate too!

Why did you become a RD?

My journey into dietetics began in 2009 when I started running. I began training for my first half marathon and naturally started to make nutritional changes as well. I was surprised at how much better I felt and how my running improved from making a few simple nutritional changes. I also lost 20 pounds without trying and I thought “hmm… maybe I should go back to school to become a dietitian.” So that’s what I did!

What area of dietetics do you work in?

Currently, I am in private practice in Nashville, TN and virtually – Nutrition for Endurance - specializing in sports nutrition and weight management. I also teach an online sports nutrition course for the university back home, do some consulting work and manage my blog RunEatSnap.

How would you explain what you do?

In my private practice, I see clients individually to assess their current nutritional habits and see where we can make some positive changes. I am a big believer in making small changes that are sustainable and realistic versus trying to make a complete overhaul overnight. I also do group presentations for sports teams, clubs, and organizations. 

What are your ‘typical’ daily/weekly tasks?

Every day is different. I see clients, write blog posts and social media posts, manage my online course, and whatever else comes my way! 

What has been your career path?

Once I decided to go back to school to study nutrition, I did a 2-year undergrad degree in dietetics back home and then I did the Coordinated Master’s Program at the University of Utah because they had a sports nutrition emphasis, which is what I wanted! While at Utah, I spent a year working with the sports dietitian and the collegiate athletes. Following graduation, I did a sports nutrition fellowship at the University of Virginia working with their collegiate athletes. After that, I moved to Minneapolis to work for EXOS at Mayo Clinic Sports Medicine where I worked with athletes of all ages including youth, high school, collegiate, professional, and adult “weekend warriors”. I loved the variety of clients and athletes I saw in that job but ultimately decided I wanted to be closer to home so I moved to Nashville, TN and joined the crazy awesome entrepreneurial world! 

What advanced education or special training do you have?

I have a master’s degree in nutrition with an emphasis in sports nutrition. I am also a Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics (CSSD), which is a credential for dietitians with a minimum of two years of professional practice experience and 1500 hours of specialty practice experience in sports nutrition. 

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

Sports nutrition is a rapidly growing field now with more than 70 colleges having at least one full-time sports dietitian and 17 NFL teams now have a full-time sports dietitian. It is definitely becoming a more well-known and respected part of athletics, which is great! In 5 years, I anticipate even more colleges, professional teams, clubs, and even high schools will have a sports dietitian on staff in some capacity. As it continues to grow in those settings, I believe more adult “weekend warriors” will also realize the importance of nutrition in their athletic training and for overall health. 

What would you like people to know about RDs?

Becoming an RD takes years of education, hours of internship practice, passing a board exam, continuing education, and often specialty credentials such as the CSSD. It is a very competitive field with less than 50% match rate for dietetics internships across the country right now. 

What are challenges you encounter as a RD?

Just today, I was asked “are you a health coach?” I think the main challenge as an RD right now is people don’t know or understand the difference between RDs and “nutritionists” or health coaches. Also, people think I am going to judge what they are eating, when, in reality, I feel like I am judged more often for what I am eating because I am a dietitian. I love chocolate! 

What do people think that you do for a living?

Honestly now that I work for myself, I think people have even less of a clue about what I do. I recently wrote a blog post – What Does a Sports Dietitian Do? to hopefully provide some clarity. 

What are you passionate about in dietetics?

Like I said before, I got into nutrition when I began running and made some nutritional changes to support that. I am passionate about helping others realize that small changes over time can lead to big results!

More about Jill:

Instagram: RunEatSnap

Facebook: RunEatSnap

Twitter: @RunEatSnap

Blog: RunEatSnap.com

Website: JillMerkelRD.com

Thanks Jill! 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: Christina Moreno, MS, RD, LD

CHRISTINA MORENO

EATING DISORDER DIETITIAN

for something nutrishus

Christina reached out after seeing the interview series on Linkedin. Like other interviewees, she also works in a challenging/rewarding areas of dietetics - eating disorders. This is definitely a specialized area and her background makes her a great fit. I can relate to what she finds fun in her career and am always happy when my forward thinking question makes a dietitian dig deep and really think.

Why did you become a RD? 

Growing up as a classically trained dancer, I quickly caught on to what foods helped me perform at my best and kept me fuelled through long rehearsals! Secondly, as I spent most of my days in form fitting clothes and in front of a mirror, talks of food and body image were all the rage. My desire to help others, interest in science, and love of food steered me into the field of dietetics after transferring out of my early university studies in theatre and dance.

What area of dietetics do you work in? 

Broadly speaking, I am an eating disorder dietitian. But of course this overlaps with performance nutrition, weight management, medical nutrition therapy, etc.

How would you explain what you do? 

I often like to describe myself as a “nutrition counselor/therapist” or as I tell my dietetic interns, a dietitian + a wannabe therapist. (Shout out to the actual therapists who I could not do my job without!) I strive to help my clients navigate the ups and downs of their eating disorders and find a sustainable and individualized nutrition plan that will allow them to achieve optimal health and stability. This typically includes a lot of experimenting, challenging food rules or disordered thoughts, and ditching the scale.

What are your ‘typical’ daily/weekly tasks? 

Every day for me is different in terms of schedule and number of clients, but is relatively stable from week to week. Most days I see 5 or more individual clients, lead 1 supported meal group, have 1-2 meetings, and spend time charting, menu planning, and collaborating with my coworkers/outside health care providers. I also lead biweekly nutrition education groups and co-lead a binge eating disorder support group. I also get to schedule fun stuff in between like grocery store tours, food exposures, and consulting/educating dance teams on the importance of nutrition!

What has been your career path? 

I received my B.S. in Dietetics from The University of Texas at Austin (Hook ‘Em) in 2010. I then took a gap year between graduation and starting my dietetic internship (also at UT). During that time, I worked as a Dietetic Technician at a local hospital and interned at the Fitness Institute of Texas. Upon becoming an RD, I went straight into the field of eating disorders, working at both the PHP (partial hospitalization program) and IOP (intensive outpatient program) levels of care at McCallum Place Eating Disorder Treatment Center. I have been in the field ever since and currently work at the IOP level with Ascend Consultation in Health Care.

What advanced education or special training do you have? 

I recently completed my M.S. in Applied Nutrition with a concentration in Sport/Fitness Nutrition through Northeastern University and plan to pursue the CSSD (board certified specialist in sports dietetics) credential next! I am also privileged to be leading osteogenic loading sessions and help people rebuild bone mass with cutting edge technology.

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

Wow! That’s difficult to say as our field is always evolving. I hope that RD’s are more frequently consulted to help educate the public and prevent disease versus manage an existing condition. This means being regarded as the “go-to” nutrition professionals, being covered by insurance companies, and being included as part of a comprehensive treatment team early on. I would also hope that there is a larger presence of dietitians that are comfortable and competent in treating eating disorders as the cases continue to rise and are seen at younger ages. Food-wise, I hope we are able to increase healthful food availability to those with limited food access due to location, financial restrictions, etc.

What do people think that you do for a living? 

I’m pretty sure most people who are not familiar with our profession think I, A) work in a cafeteria B) tell people what to eat and what to avoid (food police, anyone?). It gets old, but I suppose it’s a great opportunity to educate people about how amazing and versatile RD’s are!

What are you passionate about in dietetics? 

I am most passionate about helping people feel their best with healthful, fun, and balanced food and physical activity choices. I find special interest in working with athletes and performance artists.

More about Christina:

Instagram: @ChristinaFigRD
Twitter: CMoDancingRD
Pinterest: CMoDancingRD
LinkedIn: Christina Moreno, MS, RD, LDN
Email: christinafig.rd@gmail.com

Thanks Christina! 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: Kelly Jones MS, RD, CSSD, LDN

KELLY JONES

EAT REAL LIVE WELL

for something nutrishus

Kelly is another dietitian that I connected with at the 2016 SCAN Symposium in Portland (conferences are great for networking!); she also volunteers for both groups that I am a member of as an Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics member (join up). She has a unique faculty teaching position, but has also created a business around her passion for sports. I love her responses and agree that it's tough, but necessary to learn to say no (I'm still practicing!).

Why did you become a RD?

When I was 13 years old my mom had symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome and doctors prescribed her medications and recommended a hysterectomy. An elimination diet identified trigger foods and by improving her diet she got her health back on track. Seeing that, I wanted other people to understand the power of food! I began to notice how diet impacted my athletic performance as a swimmer and have been driven to maximize athlete’s potential ever since.

What area of dietetics do you work in?

Higher education, sports nutrition, and wellness.

How would you explain what you do?

I am a professor and teach primarily students in the nursing and exercise science programs. I co-created the latter with a colleague and still advise many students for nutrition and exercise science too.

My private practice is focused on sports nutrition and over the last year I began working in corporate wellness. In sports nutrition, I present to teams and athletic groups on a variety of topics from pre-and-post workout fueling, to hydration and nutrition for travel. When working one-on-one, I evaluate their schedules (training/school/work) and diet so we can individually optimize their energy and recovery. I present in corporate settings in person or via webinar on a wide variety of topics, some not quite as nutrition focused, such as ergonomics. I also oversee nutrition programs at a nationally known athletic club, and am working on their café offerings.

What are your ‘typical’ daily/weekly tasks?

No week is ever the same! This fall at the college I am teaching on Tuesday and Thursday. I also run a 13 week wellness program at the athletic club for two hours one evening each week and spend a few hours there a couple of other days. Speaking engagements, one-on-one coaching, menu development, recipe testing and blogging fill in the rest of my schedule. I am also the social media coordinator for the SCAN DPG (Sports, Cardiovascular, and Wellness Nutrition Dietetic Practice Group) so, I approve and schedule posts that volunteers send me and interact on their twitter account. I have a couple of hours dedicated to my tasks for the Nutrition Entrepreneurs DPG (Dietetic Practice Group) nominating committee too.

What has been your career path?

After my dietetic internship, where I was able to create the sports nutrition internship rotation at the University at Buffalo, I stayed to complete my Master’s Degree. As a teaching assistant I realized how much I loved speaking and educating. I had always assumed I would work for a college athletic department or sports team but, realized I could reach many more people by teaching, speaking, and being in the community versus in a closed system. I then turned down a handful of clinical jobs after I completed my degree hoping the right opportunity would arise. I had to then choose between a job as a supermarket RD or as a professor. I clearly chose the latter. Two years later, I decided it was time to get back to my sports nutrition roots and share my passion to fuel the body with real food. I started my blog eatreallivewell.com, began networking with local teams, and my business has continued to expand since.

What advanced education or special training do you have?

I have a Master’s Degree in Exercise Nutrition and also am a Board Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics (CSSD).

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

The public would stop falling for diet and supplement scams and realize how valuable a dietitian is in weight loss and health. Physicians would always refer to RD’s for prevention and treatment. Our food system would be more sustainable, making healthy food more available to our clients. Finally, RD’s would be less competitive with one another!

What misinformation about RDs would you like to clear up?

RDs don’t eat lettuce all day long and we aren’t judging everything on your plate! I may have become an RD to spread knowledge of health and improve other’s performance and well-being but, I love food. That includes oats, Brussel sprouts, broccoli raab and apples but also pizza, pasta, chocolate, and frosting every once in a while! RDs want everyone to be flexible in their eating without feeling guilty about it.

What would you like people to know about RDs?

RDs are invested in not just your physical health but also your mental and emotional health. We aren’t here to prescribe you a diet or meal plan but help you to build an understanding of and better relationship with food so that you can confidently choose what to eat. This often means discussing a lot of details of your life that you don’t think relate to your diet but actually do.

What are challenges you encounter as a RD?

People not understanding the value of our services. The Nutrition Entrepreneurs DPG has really helped me to stand firm on my worth and not settle for poor pay because someone doesn’t understand what I went through to obtain the knowledge I have. It is intimidating in the beginning but, we need to be confident in our background to convey the value of our services and walk away when someone isn’t willing to pay what we are worth. While I do provide a set number of pro-bono talks each year, they are for non-profits, community-based programs, and media only.

What are you passionate about in dietetics?

Optimally fueling people’s body and mind! I love when someone changes their diet and quickly understands how much it plays a role in not only their physical energy levels but also in their productivity, mood, and relationships.

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

Our educational backgrounds and passion for what we do.

What is your favourite meal?

I am so indecisive and love so many foods so this is a terribly hard question. I would say oatmeal with banana, blueberries, chocolate chips and hemp seeds. Or a broccoli and garlic omelet with Ezekiel avocado toast. Really, I could eat breakfast for every meal.

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

Three tips!

There is no perfect time to do what you want in your life or your career so, just take the plunge now.

Being a yes person is okay to get your career started but, I was a yes person a little too long. Saying no to certain projects is what can build your confidence, decrease your stress, and give you time to do what you want to do in your career. Be a yes person when it comes to the things that will take you down the career path you want.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help – reach out to other RDs (including me!). I still have to remind myself that it is okay to ask other RD’s or entrepreneurs for help and I am always so happy when I do!

More about Kelly:

Blog: Eat Real Live Well
Instagram: @eatreallivewell
Twitter: @EatRealLiveWell
Pinterest: EatRealRD
Facebook: Kelly Jones Performance Nutrition
Linked In: Kelly Jones MS, RD, CSSD

Thanks Kelly! Find out more about What RDsDo.

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