Darla Balthaser RDN, LDN

I am a registered dietitian/ nutritionist specializing in plant-based nutrition. Like most everyone these days, my life has been touched by the modern-day diseases associated with inactivity and over consumption. We have all read the grim predictions related to increases in obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, etc. in this country and all over the world. I want to help reverse this trend by sharing the things I have learned along the way.

For those of you who don’t really know what a dietitian is or does…

Registered Dietitians/Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDs/ RDNs) are highly educated and trained health professionals who provide nutrition education and dietetic services. All RD/RDNs have at the minimum a Bachelor’s degree, have completed a qualifying internship, passed a national registration examination and complete ongoing continuing education.

(check out this blog post, Why work with a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)?!)

Because I am “eco” minded, economical in this case, my prerequisite courses were completed through the Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC). After earning an associates degree through CCAC I transferred to The University of Pittsburgh to receive my Bachelors of science in nutrition and dietetics. The internship was a grueling 1200 hours (about 9 months) of unpaid work in NYC, through Hunter College. Here I worked with the Food Bank for NYC, School Food, Institute for Family Health, Irving Place Dialysis, Beth Israel Medical Center and Jewish Home Lifecare. I passed the national registration examination on July 19th 2013 in Manhattan and it was a glorious day! Continuing education for an RDN is 75 CPEUs every five years. I continue my education almost daily (it truly is ongoing) by reading articles and deciphering scientific texts, periodically by participating in webinars and certification programs and annually during FNCE (an expo and conference of The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics) to keep up to date in this ever evolving field. Check out the blog post for FNCE 2015!

Through the internship I was offered employment at Jewish Home Lifecare (JHL) and worked there for 2 and 1/2 years. I ran the high paced sub-acute rehabilitation units in their Bronx division. Responsible for assessing nutrition status of each patient, providing medical nutrition therapy and nutrition education as needed.

I am currently living in Pittsburgh, PA where I am a licensed dietitian/ nutritionist offering my skills to those in need. I have been awarded a certificate of training in vegetarian nutrition by the Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics. Personally I follow a vegan diet for both health and ethical reasons. I am also a plant-based chef-to-be, animal lover, artist, urban hiker, active commuter, car-free advocate and Netflix binge-watcher.Check out my Nutrition Works page for a free 15-minute phone consultation!

Thanks for stopping by and getting to know me!

Darla