What is a registered dietitian?

A registered dietitian (RD or RDN) is a nationally credentialed nutrition expert. To earn this title, a person must complete an accredited degree program in nutrition, complete at least 1,000 hours of supervised practice, pass a national exam, and meet ongoing continuing education requirements.

Unlike the general term “nutritionist,” which is unregulated in many states and can be used by anyone regardless of training, registered dietitians are the only nutrition professionals licensed and qualified to provide evidence-based medical nutrition therapy. This includes individualized care for everything from general wellness to complex health conditions.

While healthcare providers like doctors and nurses play important roles in your care, they often receive very limited training in nutrition. That means advice—even from your doctor—may be generic, outdated, or not well-suited to your individual needs. A registered dietitian is specifically trained to offer safe, effective, and personalized nutrition guidance you can trust.

With so much nutrition information available online and on social media, is working with a dietitian really worth the time and money?

It’s true—nutrition advice is everywhere. But much of it is oversimplified, one-size-fits-all, or not grounded in science. Some recommendations may even be harmful. Obtaining and implementing advice from someone who isn’t trained in nutrition can be downright dangerous—for example, following a restrictive “detox” or elimination diet from a social media influencer could lead to nutrient deficiencies, disordered eating, or worsening of a medical condition.

Working with a registered dietitian means you’re getting guidance from a licensed healthcare professional with the training to understand your full health picture. Rather than spending time and energy trying to sift through conflicting messages, you’ll have a trusted expert helping you make informed, sustainable choices that actually support your health and well-being.

How do I know if I am a good fit for your nutrition counseling practice?

Many people aren’t familiar with what nutrition counseling is—or how much of an impact it can have on overall health and well-being. Working with a registered dietitian means learning the foundations of nutrition in a way that’s practical, personalized, and sustainable. My goal is to help you feel confident in the choices you make about food so you can support your health now and in the future.

You might be a good fit for my practice if:

• You’ve never received nutrition guidance before and want to make informed choices to build healthier, more balanced eating habits.

• You often feel tired or not at your best—whether that’s experiencing energy crashes during the day, frequent brain fog, trouble focusing, poor sleep, or a general sense that you’re not nourishing yourself as well as you could.

• You feel confused by all the nutrition information online and want clear, evidence-based guidance you can trust.

• You want to improve your health and lower your risk of developing chronic conditions like diabetes, heart disease, or osteoporosis.

• You’re managing a health condition that nutrition plays a big role in—such as prediabetes, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, or high blood pressure—and want to address it early, especially if you’ve never received nutrition guidance before.

• You want to feel confident that you’re feeding your family well and setting a foundation for long-term health.

• You’re navigating a life stage such as pregnancy, postpartum, menopause, or aging and want to support your body through the changes.

• You want to use nutrition to fuel your body for physical activity and building strength—and avoid falling into diet trends like low-carb or carnivore approaches that can actually work against your performance and health.

• You find yourself labeling foods as “good” or “bad,” feeling like you need to “work off” what you eat, or constantly tracking calories and macros—and you want to develop a healthier, more positive relationship with food.

• You’ve been told by a doctor, trainer, or friend to follow a specific diet—such as low carb, gluten-free, or keto—but you’re unsure if it’s truly safe, effective, or right for your long-term health.

If you’re unsure whether nutrition counseling is right for you, feel free to reach out with questions before booking.

Will you give me a meal plan?

Not necessarily—but we can create one together if that feels helpful to you. Some clients benefit from having structured guidance, like meal or snack ideas, sample days, or ingredient lists. Others prefer more flexibility. We’ll work collaboratively to find the right level of structure and support that fits your preferences, lifestyle, and goals. My aim is to help you feel confident planning and choosing foods that support your health—without rigid rules or unrealistic expectations.

How does scheduling work?

You can schedule one-on-one appointments using the “Book Now” button on my website. Clients can choose between in-person appointments (available in the Portland, Oregon area) or virtual appointments (available to clients residing in Oregon or Washington). Grocery store tours and home visits are available for existing clients only. Please coordinate those with us directly.

A credit card is required to reserve your appointment, but you won’t be charged until the time of your session. Follow-up appointments can be scheduled online at your convenience or at the end of a session.

How do I use Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA) for services?

You’re welcome to use your HSA or FSA card to pay for appointments. I am able to charge Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express cards. I recommend checking with your plan administrator to confirm what services are eligible. Some plans may cover only one-on-one nutrition counseling, while others may also allow grocery store tours or home visits. I can provide detailed receipts or documentation upon request for your records.

Some HSA/FSA plans may require a Letter of Medical Necessity from your healthcare provider. I’m happy to provide a template you can have your doctor fill out to help facilitate coverage for my services.

To reserve an appointment, our booking system requires a regular credit or debit card on file. This card is only used for booking and for late-cancellation or no-show fees (which are not HSA/FSA eligible). Simply have your HSA/FSA card with you at each appointment and we’ll use it for your session charges.

Where can I find your legal and office policies?

Please click on each policy below to review. In accordance with state requirements, you will be asked to review and agree to each one when booking your first appointment with Eat Well Nutrition Counseling.