As a full time psychiatric dietitian with a private practice/blog focused on functional nutrition and her own reversal of psoriatic arthritis and autoimmune disease, Kellie was eager to share more about her career. She is passionate about lifestyle change and stays busy helping others in various ways and in a variety of settings.

Why did you become a RD?

I have always been active, healthy, and very interested in the medical field.  I knew I wanted to be a part of the medical team, but being a doctor or nurse didn’t resonate.  Being a dietitian seemed to be a great way to be involved in the clinical aspect of healthcare, but also have the option to be an entrepreneur.   

What area of dietetics do you work in?

I am a full time psychiatric dietitian, but also have a private practice where I utilize functional nutrition to help clients prevent and reverse disease.  I am employed by my local hospice as well, helping patients and families make informed end of life nutrition decisions. 

How would you explain what you do?

I am an advocate for my patients, staff, family, and friends.  I spend much of my time encouraging healthy choices, teaching others the importance of lifestyle change and setting an example.

What are your ‘typical’ daily/weekly tasks?

On a typical day, I am completing nutrition assessments and teaching various nutrition classes for patients of all ages in my facility. I also lead the wellness committee and provide monthly wellness challenges for my staff.  I serve as a liaison between the nursing and foodservice departments.  When I’m not at the hospital, I am a mobile dietitian, meeting with personal clients to help them reach health and wellness goals.  I take some time each day to read and then share the latest nutrition news and I am active on social media.  I maintain the NutriSense Nutrition blog and frequently share recipes and green smoothie ideas. 

What has been your career path?

I started my career as a dietitian at the VA Medical Center and when my position changed to part-time status, another dietitian and I decided to create a nutrition consulting company, NutriSense Nutrition Consulting, LLC.  Through NutriSense, I have had the privilege to work in long-term care facilities, work with large corporations like American Electric Power, and also provide nutrition services for residential facilities. I gained valuable experience and knowledge in such varied environments. While working at the VAMC, I took a consulting position at a local psychiatric facility and learned that working with mental health clients was a passion for me.  While continuing my work in mental health, I continued to focus on being an RD in the acute care setting of local hospitals.  In 2016, I left the medical/surgical acute care hospital setting to become a full time psychiatric dietitian in an acute and long-term care setting.  I am also starting a new position on the editorial board of a publication where I will be writing monthly articles geared toward practitioners.

What advanced education or special training do you have?

In addition to being an RDN, LD, I am an Integrative and Functional Nutrition Certified Practitioner.

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

I would hope RDs would be the leaders in helping prevent and reverse disease.  The skills of the RD are often underutilized and overlooked in conventional medicine.  I am hopeful for a future where food is actually used as medicine, especially in our acute care hospitals and long-term care facilities.

What misinformation about RDs would you like to clear up?

We do not expect perfection.

What would you like people to know about RDs?

We are passionate about using food as medicine and truly desire a better quality of life for our clients.

What are challenges you encounter as a RD?

The biggest challenge I face is the disconnect between hospital foodservice and food as medicine.  I often feel powerless when it comes to the medical nutrition therapy (MNT) I recommend for an inpatient and the food that is actually provided to the patient.  There is also a delay in putting nutrition research into practice and it has hindered progress in general when it comes to using food as medicine.

What do people think that you do for a living?

Create menus.

What are you passionate about in dietetics?

I have reversed my own autoimmune disease with functional nutrition and I am blown away every day by the stories I read of people healing themselves with food and lifestyle change.

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

RDs are able to actually translate the science of nutrition into practical application. 

What is your favourite meal?

My favorite meal would include Brussels sprouts (in any form), an oven baked potato, and a huge salad with roasted chickpeas, hemp seeds, and homemade dressing. 

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

Being an RD is a wonderful career.  RDs have the ability to make a huge impact on the health and quality of life of their clients.

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

Creating the career you love requires a lot of hard work, dedication, failure, and perseverance. 

More about Kellie:

Facebook: Kellie Blake

Facebook: NutriSense Nutrition Consulting, LLC

Instagram: @nutrisensenutrition

Thanks Kellie!