Nutrition Counseling & Education | Washington DC | Virginia | Maryland

Nutrition Counseling

Nutrition Counseling is for anyone who would like to speak with a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist for a personalized nutrition care plan to address their unique needs and desired health outcomes.

Research shows that nutrition counseling can help you prevent and manage chronic disease, develop long-term, sustainable habits, and feel better overall.

The YMCA Nutrition Counseling Program helps adults find a healthier way of eating that’s right for them.

Together, the dietitian and client will:

  • Assess current nutritional status, and discuss desired health and lifestyle outcomes
  • Design a personalized nutrition care plan that is aligned with needs and preferences
  • Collaborate on S.M.A.R.T. goals for changing behaviors and building habits
  • Select evidence-based information, tools, strategies, and support for each step of the journey

Sessions are conducted on Zoom.

Yes! Nutrition Counseling is open to all, there are no specific eligibility criteria. You do not even have to be a member to purchase sessions with our Registered Dietitian.

Great question, yes you can! All YMCA members are offered complimentary consults with our Registered Dietitian. Your wellness team will share information about how to access this service in your wellness consult. Didn’t receive a wellness consult, or are a long-term member? You are still eligible for this service, simply email Caroline.Schmalz@ymcadc.org to set up your free consult today.

Nutrition counseling is available for purchase in packages of 1, 3, 6 and 9 sessions.

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DIETITIAN’S CORNER:

In case you haven’t noticed, the nights are getting longer and the days colder. Welcome to Soup and Stew Season! It’s time to dust off that slow-cooker, pull out those sheet pans, set the Dutch oven to simmer on the back burner, and get busy filling your house with the smells of comfort cooking. This doesn’t mean that all meals have to be heavy and rich, though. There are so many ways to add extra vegetables and beans to dishes. Vitamin C is key for cold and flu season, so keep citrus fruits on hand to add lightness and sparkle to your plate. Warming spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves can add to the depth of flavors. And, don’t forget to hydrate: it’s even more important during dry winter weather. Broth-based soups and herbal teas are delicious ways to up your fluids. Amidst the hustle and bustle of the season, take time to pause and ask yourself: “What nourishes me?”

The Y Nutrition Counseling program surpassed my expectations! I particularly liked that tools and resources were provided for every session and my unique individual experience was considered for setting goals for life style changes. I saw the results: less aggressive cravings for junk food and alternatives for healthy snacks made it easy to sustain and I no longer have prediabetes. I highly recommend this program.

Working with Caroline helped me to look at my diet from a holistic perspective. We were able to focus on the areas within my diet that I needed to add or subtract and to develop realistic strategies to help me succeed.

I’m a very active and healthy person but my A1C was higher than it should be. Over the course of 3 months I made major, yet easy, changes to my diet. These changes have also trickled down to my wife and children and this is all thanks to Caroline. She made it very simple and easy to tackle, and answered my million questions!

If you are interested in Nutrition Counseling, please complete the interest form below and someone from our team will be in touch.

And look for Caroline at a Y near you!