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About Melissa

Hi, I'm Melissa! I am so glad to have you here!

 

I've been a Registered Dietitian since 2017 and have worked in pediatric nutrition since 2018. I graduated with my Masters in Nutrition from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 2016 and completed my dietetic internship through Morrison Healthcare in North Carolina in 2017. Shortly after completing my internship, I sat for and passed the national RD exam required to practice as a Registered Dietitian in the US.​

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After becoming a Registered Dietitian, I worked in North Carolina as an outpatient dietitian for a large hospital system. There I gained diverse experience working with all ages, from senior adults to infants and for various nutrition needs and conditions. I enjoyed working 1:1 with patients, being able to provide them with individualized care to help them reach their nutrition goals and feel their best. Additionally, I also greatly enjoyed teaching nutrition courses as well as being a nutrition expert for multiple local TV news segments in North Carolina.

 

While working in an outpatient office, I developed a passion for pediatric nutrition which fueled my decision to become a Certified Specialist in Pediatric Nutrition in 2022.  After getting married in 2024, I moved to Virginia and decided to start my own virtual practice, Marvelously Made Nutrition Counseling. I now serve residents of Virginia as well as North Carolina. â€‹

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My Philosophy

I chose the name, Marvelously Made for my practice because I believe every individual is truly marvelously made, as I am reminded in one of my favorite Bible verses, Psalm 139:14, "I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made..." The body and how it reacts to food is truly amazing and understanding that relationship can make a tremendous difference in how we view and interact with food. Helping clients see how truly wonderful their body is and how it interacts with food is one of the most rewarding parts of my job. I love being able to connect these dots with all clients and especially children where a positive relationship with food can have a significant impact on their growth and development. There are few things more rewarding than being able to help individuals see their true worth and reach their full potential through building a healthy relationship with food. 

 

In practice, I teach a balanced view of nutrition which promotes physical health as well as a healthy relationship with food. Food is meant to nourish as well as be enjoyed, it is not, nor should it be, only one or the other. In goal setting, I follow the SMART goal format and believe in meeting clients where they are currently at in order to set goals which they and their parents feel confident in attaining. While the primary focus of MM is pediatrics (ages 0-18 years), all ages seeking to enhance their nutrition habits are welcome.

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Services Offered

MM specializes in pediatrics (ages 0-18), providing virtual medical nutrition therapy counseling for the following conditions/educational needs: 

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  • Failure to Thrive/Slow Growth

  • Feeding Difficulties 

  • Picky Eating

  • Food Allergies

  • General Nutrition

  • Prediabetes

  • High Blood Pressure

  • High Cholesterol

  • GI Concerns (constipation, lactose intolerance, celiac disease, IBS, etc.) 

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MM also provides virtual nutrition services for the following adult conditions/education needs:  

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  • Balanced Nutrition

  • Meal Planning

  • Prediabetes

  • Heart Health

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In addition to individual nutrition counseling sessions, MM offers virtual nutrition classes for both children and adults. Classes can also be adjusted to meet needs for Homeschool Co-Op groups and large families with group rates offered. Current courses and group classes offered: 

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  • Virtual 6 Week Nutrition Education Course (Ages 5-12)

  • Virtual 1:1 3 week Building a Balanced Plate Nutrition Course (Teens-Adults)

  • Nutrition for Parents Classes (3 separate sessions available ranging from birth to teenage years)

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Depending on location and scheduling, MM may also be available for public speaking engagements such as: educational presentations, health fairs, and written nutrition articles. Please contact Melissa at MM for any public speaking inquiries. 

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*MM currently serves clients located in Virginia and North Carolina. If you would like to receive services but are located outside of these areas, feel free to reach out to MM to see if your area may be covered in the future.

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