Meet the Team

Hello, I’m Rachel! I am a dietitian/nutrition coach and founder of Pro Lifestyle Nutrition.   While I enjoy the sweetest of treats (born with a major sweet tooth!), I believe that it is important to find a balance between healthy eating and indulging so that health & weight goals can be reached/maintained without feeling deprived.  I refer to this approach as "flexible eating": - flexible so that favorite foods and eating in general can be enjoyed without guilt.  That is a big part of my mission - to help people reach their goals while enjoying & appreciating food.  I personally started really appreciating food when I learned the connection between how our eating & lifestyle habits strongly affect our health & well-being.  I love being able to share my passion for how we can use food to heal, recover, nourish, energize, and FEEL GOOD from the inside out.

I believe (and can personally relate to the fact) that eating is much more then a physical act – it’s very psychological and we don't always eat because we're hungry.  That's just how the human brain is wired.  Whether stressed at work, feeling sad, celebrating a birthday, or just plain bored, how we feel and what is going on in our life/environment may trigger certain eating behaviors and choices.  Learning and practicing strategies to help manage and cope with emotions is a big key to reaching and mainlining health goals.  It takes much more then simply knowing or being told what to eat or what to do.  I love helping individuals develop strategies and goals to accomplish healthier lifestyle behaviors that lead to RESULTS.  . 

While my philosophy involves a flexible eating approach, emphasizing whole foods, and addressing the psychological piece of eating, I am also dedicated to providing personalized nutrition.

Why personalize nutrition?

So many diets and food claims promote a one size fits all approach.  I believe in the opposite and that one size fits one as every person and everyBODY is unique.  I founded Pro Lifestyle Nutrition so that I could help individuals reach their personal wellness goals by finding what behaviors/strategies work best for them.   

Over the past 10 years I have been privileged to work with hundreds of individuals, one-on-one and within group settings, to help them improve their health and form lifestyle behaviors that lead to sustainable results.  When working towards a weight or health goal it is important to develop individual strategies that involve delicious, quick meals, flexible eating, realistic lifestyle changes/tweaks, and a “progress, not perfection” mindset.  I love being able to cheer my clients on every step of the way.  I am here to provide on-going support, accountability, and motivation which are all key ingredients to forming and working on healthy habits.

Educational background: 

I completed my Bachelor’s Degree in Nutrition & Food Science from Drexel University, in Philadelphia, PA.  I was lucky to have found my passion in nutrition and helping people improve their health through a holistic approach, which led me to complete a Master’s Degree in Nutrition & Wellness and dietetic internship from Benedictine University in Lisle, IL

I believe the most important catalyst to change is to enable people to feel empowered so that they can make a difference in their lives and that they recognize that small changes often lead to big results in the long run. I believe that this philosophy will enable people to say at the end of it all, not that they were the “Biggest Loser” but instead the “Biggest Winner”. I believe it is important to look at all aspects and measurements of health and not just a number on a scale. Most important is my belief in people as a whole. I feel that all individuals are capable of so much, but sometimes simply need some guidance, support and little reminders along the way.

I have a dual background, starting out in the Social Work field, working as a Coordinator for a homeless shelter, catering to teenage moms. It is here where I first encouraged people to value themselves and recognize their worth and capabilities. After serving in this capacity for over 6 years, I decided to branch out in another direction, incorporating my training in the nutrition and dietetics field.

Today, while healthy eating and weight loss is my primary focus, I believe without the ability to appreciate, understand and establish rapport with individuals, a climate of change and general well-being will be more difficult to attain. In the process of coming up with a healthy eating and living plan, people need to be understood and valued for the uniqueness they possess!

Educational Background:

I graduated from Suny Albany with a degree in Psychology and following that, went to graduate school at Yeshiva University where I earned a Master's degree in Social Work. After practicing as a social worker for several years, mainly in a homeless shelter, I went back to school at West Chester University, where I obtained a degree in nutrition and dietetics. I then did an internship with Sodexo, which was mainly based in a hospital, where I did all aspects of clinical care and intervention.

Although my passion is in Nutrition Counseling, I began my dietetic career in Community Nutrition working for the Department of Agriculture’s Child and Adult Care Food Program. There I was boots on the ground helping daycares to run no-cost nutritious food programs for their participants. I also spent time as a Nutrition Educator for a wonderful non-profit where I provided fun and engaging nutrition programs to children and families throughout Philadelphia. Wanting to gain a strong foundation in Medical Nutrition Therapy to reinforce my expertise, I shifted gears to become a Clinical Dietitian in the acute and long-term care setting, which I continue to share my time doing.  This finger in many pies approach is how I have shaped a well-rounded outlook on Nutrition, helping me to provide both compassionate and practical counseling to clients with many different types of goals. No matter your background, I believe it is important to take the edge off of the overwhelm that can sometimes surround Nutrition and start from a place of self-compassion. Though we live in a world which often complicates our relationship with food, it is above all meant to nurture our bodies and be a source of joy. I am excited to share with you the tools and support you need to find your rhythm, to reach your goals, and learn a bit about Nutrition Science along the way.

Educational Background

I received my Bachelor’s of Science in Human Nutrition at Drexel University while raising my daughter and working full-time. The work/life balance required to achieve my degree truly helped shape my perspective when it comes to creating obtainable nutrition goals while also prioritizing family, career, education, and mental health. Following graduation, I began my dietetic internship with Morrison Healthcare where I had the privilege of working for preeminent organizations such as UPenn, Johnson & Johnson, and Virtua Health. Since then, I have found each role that has come my way as a new learning experience. The infinite amount of opportunities to grow my knowledge is one of the many reasons I love the field of Nutrition!