About

As a Certified Eating Disorders Registered Dietitian, Jennifer combines her expertise in medical nutrition therapy, psychology, and physiology to help clients understand their eating behaviors, and gain the insight needed to make positive changes for their health.  She is an expert in the field of eating disorders and also supervises other Registered Dietitians.  She is involved with the International Federation of Eating Disorder Dietitians, the National Eating Disorders Association, and the International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals (iaedp).  She is the Co-Social Media Chair for the New York City Chapter of iaedp.

Jennifer has created the business, Pursuing Private Practice, along with authoring a book series of the same name, to help other healthcare professionals reach their goal of owning their own business.  Pursuing Private Practice: 10 Steps to Start Your Own Business was released in January 2016, and Pursuing Private Practice: 10 Steps to Grow Your Own Business was released in April 2016.  She is also the author of the Pursuing Private Practice Masterclass E-course, now available to professionals.

Having completed her undergraduate training at Pennsylvania State University in Nutritional Sciences, she continued to Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center in Baltimore, MD, to complete her dietetic internship.  She received her Certified Diabetes Educator credential in 2009 and her Certified Eating Disorders Registered Dietitian credential in 2014.  Jennifer has professional affiliations with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Nutrition Entrepreneurs, and the Westchester Rockland Dietetic Association.

Jennifer is a frequent guest in the media, often talking about positive nutrition, body image, healing from dieting, and educating others about eating disorders.  She also loves to talk about all topics related to private practice!  She has given presentations at conferences and workshops to audiences from 10 to as many as 1,000 people, and has been featured in news articles and on podcasts.  For Jennifer, each presentation is an opportunity to share with her audience her positive message about food.

About Elyssa Toomey, RDN, RYT

Elyssa Toomey, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) and Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) has spent her career creating change for individuals, families and communities.  She received her BA in Sociology and Biology from Smith College, a degree in nutrition from Montclair State University and completed her dietetic internship with the College of Saint Elizabeth.

Elyssa combines medical nutrition therapy with advanced training in eating disorders, intuitive eating, mindfulness and functional medicine.  She believes in an integrative approach, blending evidenced based science with Eastern philosophies to meet her clients’ personal nutritional needs.  Additionally, she created a body positive curriculum for adolescent girls, which uses the philosophy and movement of yoga combined with meditation and nutrition to build self-esteem.

Elyssa supports her clients in finding their unique work-life-family-self balance.  Elyssa is a passionate foodie and yogini who believes that living a life that nourishes you at every level is the answer to authentic health, happiness and success.

About Valery Kallen, MS, RDN

Valery Kallen, MS, RD is an anti-diet dietitian on a mission to help people stop obsessing over food and start loving their bodies. She’s a strong advocate of the body positivity and Health At Every Size (HAES) movements, believing that true health manifests not from a strict diet but from a positive mind, body, and spirit connection. Her food philosophy is rooted in the theories of Mindful and Intuitive Eating – which means she never feels guilty about eating a cookie (and you shouldn’t either!).

She graduated with a BA in Psychology and worked in the professional development field for several years before following her passion and pursuing a Master of Science in Nutrition from New York University. She completed her dietetic internship with Northwell Health (formerly North Shore-LIJ). Valery is also a proud board member of the New York Chapter of iaedp (the International Association of Eating Disorders Professionals) and has been serving as the social media co-chair for several years.

“What is the difference between a “Registered Dietitian Nutritionist” and a “Nutritionist”?

A Registered Dietitian Nutritionist is an expert in food and nutrition. Many people out there call themselves “Nutritionists” when all they have completed is a few courses in nutrition or lead healthy lifestyle themselves. They can be great role models; however they do not have the proper training or education to be considered an expert in nutrition. Registered Dietitian Nutritionists have certain qualifications and need continuing education to keep their credentials:

• Earn a bachelor’s degree with course work approved by ADA’s Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education. Coursework typically includes food and nutrition sciences, foodservice systems management, business, economics, computer science, sociology, biochemistry, physiology, microbiology and chemistry.
• Complete an accredited, supervised practice program at a health-care facility, community agency, and foodservice corporation.
• Pass a national examination administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration.
• Complete continuing professional educational requirements to maintain registration.

*If you are paying for advice and counseling, you want someone who is the best at what they do. Registered Dietitian Nutritionists have the most training and valuable knowledge when it comes to food and nutrition. If you want the best, seek a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist.