Get to know the Moveable Feast Dietitians
In honor of National Nutrition Month, we sat down with our three fantastic Registered Dietician Nutritionists (RDNs), Candace, Brandy, and Sara, to share more about their work at Moveable Feast. Whether they are working one-on-one with clients in Medical Nutrition Therapy sessions or developing Medically Tailored Meals with our chefs to expand menu options, our RDNs play a pivotal role in carrying out our mission.
Why did you choose to work for Moveable Feast?
Candace: I learned about Moveable Feast when moving to Baltimore for a dietitian role at Johns Hopkins, I was very excited about this organization and referred some of my patients to Moveable Feast. What I love about being a dietitian at Moveable Feast is that nutrition, education, and food access goes hand in hand. If someone is not able to procure or prepare food, then providing nutrition education is not as impactful. Here at Moveable Feast, we are able to address the root causes of food access while addressing individual nutrition needs.
Brandy: I chose Moveable Feast because I knew early on as a dietitian that my heart belonged to serving the community. By working here, I get to spend time getting to know my clients, setting goals, and offering encouragement throughout their personal health journeys. As a bonus, I’m working with our talented chefs to help update and expand our menu. At Moveable Feast, I get to combine both of my passions into one career!
Sara: Like Moveable Feast, I value prevention in the community setting. A lot of the time healthcare is focused on treatment instead of prevention. Providing healthy meals to individuals in need, as well as Medical Nutrition Therapy can help people get ahead of their conditions and increase their quality of life.
What has been the most rewarding part of your job so far?
Candace: Working with others! Collaborating with my team to provide the best care for our clients.
Brandy: Since I’ve been a dietitian here for almost 3 years now, I’ve had some clients that have been with me since I’ve started. It’s been extremely rewarding to see their progress and remind them of how far they’ve come with accomplishing their goals when they feel discouraged.
Sara: The people. Clients are so grateful for the services we provide and getting to see, firsthand, that we are increasing individuals’ access to healthy food is very rewarding. Additionally, the people I get to work with. Everyone at this organization truly cares about the work they do and the people they serve.
What is your favorite Moveable Feast meal?
Candace: I have not had a chance to try all the meals so this may change, but I would say the Turkey Chili is fantastic!
Brandy: The Potato Crusted Whiting with Florentine Sauce, Quinoa, and Peas!
Sarah: I am new to the organization, so I have not been able to try them all yet, but my favorite so far is the Chicken, Bean and Cheese Burrito!
What is a common nutrition myth you hear?
Candace: Honey is better than sugar. Many people switch from sugar to honey and think that it will be better for their blood sugar, but honey and white sugar have very similar amounts of sugar. 1 tsp honey has approximately 6g of sugar, 1 tsp white sugar has approximately 4g of sugar. What is important is to not overconsume honey or sugar especially if a person has diabetes. If you like honey or sugar in your tea, try to limit to 1 tsp.
Brandy: People seem to think that once you have diabetes, you can’t have fruit or pasta, which is false! By working with a Registered Dietitian, you can learn how these foods can still fit into your diet even if you have diabetes.
Sara: A common nutrition misconception is that food is “good” or “bad.” A good dietitian knows that food has no morality, and a great dietitian understands that all foods fit. On the flip side, there is no single “super food” that will cure disease or make you instantly lose weight. Being healthy means including a variety of foods to fuel your body.
