A little bit about me:
I graduated from Oregon Health & Science University's dietetic internship program in June of 2016 and am completing my MS in Functional Medicine at the University of Western States. These schools have given me an appreciation for the clinical and holistic side of nutrition. My approach to counseling mixes the use of functional lab tests and medical nutrition therapy with the use of whole foods and healing herbs/supplements. I am currently working as a Clinical Dietitian at a Legacy hospital as well as a Nutritionist for pregnant women, children and families at Luna Chiropractic.
I became a Registered Dietitian because I was frustrated with the current medical system and sure there was another way to treat simple symptoms like migraine headaches without the use of pharmaceuticals (all of which have their own list of side effects). As it turns out, simple micronutrient deficiencies, food allergies and chronic disease can cause unnecessary fatigue, stomach + gut problems, hormone imbalances and more. When you use medications to lower your cholesterol or relieve heartburn, you are simply putting a bandaid on the problem and ignoring the problem of what caused it in the first place. There are so many ways to heal your body by looking at the root cause of disease. For example, adding more fiber to your diet can help reduce cholesterol naturally and improve your overall heart health.
Our bodies are well designed and they are resilient. I believe that the key to your renewed health lies within the food on your plate. My goal is to help my patients get back in the kitchen and use cooking as a therapeutic tool to heal, restore and rejuvenate.
What is the difference between a Registered Dietitian and a Nutritionist?
To become a RDN, you must complete the following steps:
- Complete the minimum of a bachelors degree at an accredited university
- Complete specific coursework (Didactic Program in Dietetics)
- Complete a supervised practice internship of 1200 hours and meet specific competencies (these internships are extremely competitive with <50% acceptance rates)
- Successfully complete the registration examination for dietetics
Overall, the path to become an RDN is a rigorous, 5 year + process with specific requirements. In fact, dietitians are the only nationally recognized nutritional professionals.
A nutritionist is not a regulated term and depending on the state you live in, anyone may be able to call themselves a "nutritionist," regardless of their educational background. However, many nutritionists do have an undergraduate or graduate degree in nutrition. For a comprehensive list of the laws in your state, visit the link below: