FAQ

What is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist?

Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDN) are food and nutrition experts who have met the following criteria to earn the RDN credential:

Completed a minimum bachelor’s degree accredited or approved by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Completed an ACEND-accredited supervised practice program at a health-care facility, community agency, or a foodservice corporation. Typically, a practice program will run 6 to 12 months in length.
Passed a national examination administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR).
Completed continuing professional educational requirements to maintain registration.

What is a Registered Dietitian (RD) versus a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)?

Nothing. They are the same and the credentials can be used interchangeably.

Remember: Every Registered Dietitian is a nutritionist, but not every nutritionist is a Registered Dietitian.

Are you a personal trainer?

No. A personal trainer is someone who has earned a certification for creating and delivering safe and effective exercise programs for apparently healthy individuals and groups or those with medical clearance to exercise. Some RDs are also certified as personal trainers, but I am not. It is always best to seek guidance from a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) as they have higher standards for certification compared to a personal trainer.

Can I use an app such as MyNetDiary or MyFitnessPal instead of a Registered Dietitian?

Apps can be great tools for providing general nutrition guidance and self-monitoring.

There are many health considerations that affect nutrition recommendations such as medication use and preexisting health conditions. In these cases, general nutrition recommendations are not as effective and can be harmful. It is best to seek guidance for individualized recommendations based on your current health status and personal goals.

It is also important to be aware that the macronutrient recommendations on these apps are not always accurate, and how we consume our macronutrients throughout the day is just as important as calorie balance.

Self-monitoring and food intake awareness are crucial for long-term success. No, you do NOT have to count calories or macros, however, they can be great tools to drive specific dietary pattern changes.

You have the option to track food intake through your client portal allowing me to give you direct feedback and suggestions related to your food intake.

Isn’t it all about the macros?

No, it is not just about the macros. Macronutrient distribution looks very different for each individual. For example, an individual who weighs 200 pounds and wants to lose fat versus a 200-pound individual at a healthy weight who wants to gain muscle mass does not have the same macronutrient distribution. This is also why using a health app has limitations unless you know your individual specific goals. How you consume your macronutrients throughout the day is just as important as calorie balance.

Do you recommend intermittent fasting or a keto diet?

As a Registered Dietitian, I do not recommend “diets”. We will discuss any current eating patterns and diet conceptions you have, consider your stated nutrition goals, and discuss whether your current eating patterns are conducive to meeting your goals. If they are we can discuss how to modify or improve as necessary, and if they are not we can discuss your openness to change and what might be a better strategy.

Do you recommend supplements?

Supplements can be helpful if we determine there is a need after assessing your dietary intake and nutrition needs. Safety must always be considered before choosing any sport or dietary supplement, and you should always look for trusted 3rd party testing and purchase from a trusted source. Athletes should always choose NSF Certified for Sport or Informed Sport supplements to ensure there are no steroids or banned substances contaminated in the supplements they use to avoid positive drug testing. USP Verified is another trusted 3rd party testing to ensure consumer safety.

I offer tailored supplement recommendations through Fullscript, a professional grade dispensary. Fullscript validates supplements for their potency in addition to 3rd party testing and follows Good Manufacturing Processes (GMP) to ensure product quality all the way to your front door.

Remember to report any vitamin or supplement use to your primary care physician especially if your health status has changed.

You said you are a structured and organized person. Can your plan work for me even if I am not?

Absolutely. Nutrition is not a one size fits all approach and there are many ways to achieve our health and performance goals. After discussing your goals and evaluating your intake information, I will provide you with a structured meal plan that allows flexibility and modifications while setting a framework. Best results are achieved when your plan includes one or more follow-up sessions so we can modify and customize your plan until we find what works best for you. The duration of this process varies depending on how often we meet and how committed you are to making changes. Some people say, “Just tell me what to eat, how much, and when” while others say, “I can’t handle monotony!” A plan that includes follow-up sessions allows us to work through these obstacles and find a balance that works for you.

Can you help me lose weight by [insert date or event]?

We have all been there—Spring Break is on the horizon, my cousin’s wedding is coming up with family I haven’t seen in years, or we are about to go on a cruise (right after the Christmas holiday feast…or the COVID-19 pandemic)!

What I love about this is the MOTIVATION to make changes but, unfortunately, I am not here to offer quick weight loss fixes or magical muscle gains overnight. I absolutely want to work with motivated individuals – who are looking for long-term sustainable strategies to improve their overall health and wellness.

Why don’t you accept insurance?

I want to provide my clients with the most comprehensive assessment and planning that is appropriate for each individual. I did not want to be limited to who I can see based on diagnosis code and how much time is allowed as determined by the insurance company. This allows for a more comprehensive experience for you as well as for me as your practitioner.

How does this process work?

If you are unsure where to begin, I recommend scheduling a free phone consultation so we can get to know each other, discuss your goals, health history and what you would like from me. We can discuss which plan or service would best suit your needs and you can book an appointment online or over the phone.

Next, you will receive electronic documents to review, sign and complete. One of the documents you will receive is a detailed intake questionnaire. The more information you provide, the better I can serve you.

From your intake questionnaire, our phone conversation, and any additional communication thereafter I will create an individual nutrition plan tailored to your specific goals and needs.

Finally, we will meet in person or virtually to discuss your plan and answer any additional questions you may have. I have found that is best to schedule a follow-up within two to three weeks after our initial session to address obstacles and barriers to implementing your plan.