It’s Registered Dietitian Day! Three professionals tell us why they love working in nutrition

Every March, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics sponsors National Nutrition Month. The month-long initiative provides education about ways to make informed food choices, develop healthful eating habits, and of course, celebrate the professionals who make it all possible, including Registered Dietitian Nutritionists.

This year, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Day falls on Wednesday, March 9, and we want to spend it by highlighting a few of the RDNs who share their expertise with Everlywell and Everly Health every day of the year.

Below, see what they had to say about working in nutrition, their favorite foods, and maybe even learn a few tips to add to your culinary toolkit:

Heather Hanley, RDN and Everlywell Consultant

Heather received her BSc in Food and Nutrition from Framingham State University. Becoming a dietitian was a career change and initially she worked in community nutrition before moving into the functional medicine arena. Heather advocates for holistic approaches to health and wellness.

What inspired you to get into the field of nutrition? My lifelong general interest in food — where it comes from and how it's prepared — steered me in the direction of becoming a dietitian. When I was looking to re-enter the workforce after taking time out for family, I decided I didn’t want to go back to the corporate world and went back to school to become a registered dietitian.

What do you love most about being a Registered Dietitian? Helping people make good choices and tweaking their diets to get the results they are looking for.

What is one food you couldn’t live without? There are several, actually: arugula, radicchio, chicory, and citrus fruit.

Bonus: Any fun nutrition/food facts to share? Add a bay leaf to the water when cooking cauliflower! It helps to dampen the bad odor.

Don’t throw away the liquid when you open a can of chickpeas (garbanzo beans). You can use the “aquafaba” to make vegan meringues.

Laura Meyenberg, RD and Everly Health Clinical Coordinator

Laura has a BS in Nutrition from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo and completed her dietetic internship at the Ohio State University. Prior to her role at Everly Health, she worked as a clinical dietitian specializing in pediatrics and oncology.

What inspired you to get into the field of nutrition? I grew up a competitive athlete and eventually learned how much better I felt and performed when I ate a balanced, appropriate diet. I wanted to learn more about how the body works and help others feel their best, too.

What do you love most about being a Registered Dietitian? What I love most is helping people find a way to have a positive, healthy relationship with food. So many people fear a conversation with an RD is just going to be about how they should eat less “bad” food and more vegetables, so I try to encourage realistic changes that allow eating to still be enjoyable. I find it extremely rewarding when people shift their mindset on what healthy eating means to them.

What is one food you couldn’t live without? Probably French fries.

Bonus: Any fun nutrition/food facts to share? An avocado has about twice as much potassium as a banana.

Nicole Lindel, Everly Health Consultant and Outpatient Gastrointestinal Dietitian

Nicole received her MS in Nutrition Education from Columbia University. She specializes in gastrointestinal disorders, such as irritable bowel syndrome, food sensitivities, GERD, celiac disease, and more! She is a big believer in finding foods that you AND your gut love

What inspired you to get into the field of nutrition? I struggled with an eating disorder while in college and becoming a dietitian helped with my recovery. While working with patients, I help build a healthier relationship with food!

What do you love most about being a Registered Dietitian? I enjoy helping individuals with gastrointestinal conditions — whether it be IBS, IBD, Celiac Disease, or Crohn’s Disease. It is incredible how much diet can impact our GI tract!

What is one food you couldn’t live without? Ice cream!