It’s not uncommon to feel lost and confused when it comes to food. In fact, it’s frequently the norm. Jess steers away from the diet-mentality and focuses on a food-as-medicine and a “good, better, best” approach to educate and motivate clients to thrive and grow. Using her philosophy and approach, which are rooted in functional medicine, she has guided clients in healing and repairing their gut; supporting thyroid and immune health, reversing diabetes, elevated cholesterol, and high blood pressure; minimizing and managing pain and headaches; and supporting couples in preconception, pregnancy, and postpartum health. She works with her clients to create a highly customized plan to support their specific health and wellness goals for optimal health. In addition, with her emphasis on functional nutrition, she takes into consideration every aspect of each client’s health, diet, and overall lifestyle when providing nutrition recommendations.
Jess is also a Certified Functional Nutrition Informed Professional (CFNIP), Certified LEAP Therapist (CLT), and serves as the Functional Nutrition Director at Healthier Tomorrows. Practicing functionally offers individualized food and lifestyle goals that address the root cause of illness and health struggles, rather than just addressing symptoms. As Functional Nutrition Director, Jess advises and clinically supervises the dietitians at Healthier Tomorrows in looking at wellness from a functional perspective and addressing the whole body to support clients in optimizing their health.
Being food and chemical sensitivities are often at the root of the inflammatory processes within the body, Jess obtained her CLT certification. With her CLT certification she uses Mediator Release Testing to measure an individual’s reaction to 176 foods and chemicals to establish the most effective anti-inflammatory diet plan for the individual’s specific needs.
Jess obtained her undergraduate degree in dietetics from Bradley University and completed her dietetic internship through the University of Houston. She was part of the Healthier Tomorrows dietetic team from 2013 through 2015, and rejoined Healthier Tomorrows in 2020 to provide virtual nutrition education and support! She has significant experience working with clients in outpatient settings, and she enjoys fostering relationships with clients and providing ongoing support.
Clients appreciate her non-judgmental, realistic, and upbeat approach!
Crysta is a registered dietitian whose mission is to empower individuals to embrace nutrition as a fundamental pillar of health, fostering lasting change through personalized, compassionate support.
She approaches nutrition counseling with a holistic mindset, focusing not just on dietary changes but also on understanding her clients’ unique lifestyles and challenges. Crysta strives to create a welcoming environment where clients feel comfortable discussing their goals and struggles, enabling them to collaboratively develop sustainable strategies for healthier living.
Crysta has gained extensive experience in managing various health conditions, having spent a significant portion of her dietetic internship at the University of Chicago Ingalls Memorial. There, she honed her skills in medical nutrition therapy (MNT), particularly in areas like gastrointestinal issues, celiac disease, diabetes, and cardiovascular counseling. This experience allowed her to work with a diverse patient population, deepening her understanding of individual needs.
Additionally, her time as an outpatient dietitian at a functional nutrition clinic sparked her passion for a more integrative approach to health. She believes nutrition can be a proactive and preventative means to address root causes of health issues, rather than just treating symptoms.
Originally from Seattle, Crysta completed her undergraduate degree in Health Sciences at Chapman University in Southern California. She continued on to pursue her graduate studies at the University of Illinois at Chicago where she received her MS in Nutrition. Crysta has loved exploring the vibrant food scene of the city, and when she’s not working, you’ll often find her baking or cooking up new recipes. She has a mini bernedoodle who keeps her active with daily park walks, adding joy and energy to her life.
With her diverse background and passion for nutrition, she looks forward to supporting individuals on their journey to better health.
Katie’s goal as a registered dietitian is to truly understand and support those who are desiring more from their healthcare providers. Her empathy and listening ear give her clients the safe space to navigate their relationship with food and their body. Katie has a great sense of humor and will make you feel at ease during your visits. She especially enjoys working with clients with mental health diagnoses, neurodivergent individuals, and clients in the LGBTQIA+ community.
Before joining Healthier Tomorrows, Katie provided nutrition care to U.S. Military Veterans and Service Members for 10 years. Half of those years were spent helping Veterans with traumatic brain injuries and strokes recover while relearning how to walk, talk, and eat. Because of this experience, she has an excellent understanding of physiology and metabolism and knows just how miraculous the body is when we nourish it properly.
Katie earned her Bachelor of Science in Food Science from Clemson University and earned her Master of Science in Dietetics from Kansas State University. She holds a Graduate Certificate in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Workplace and a Graduate Certificate in Organizational Leadership. Katie was named “Preceptor of the Year” in 2018 for the Anne Brezina Dietetic Internship in Tampa, FL.
When she’s not working with clients, Katie can be found crocheting, reading Matt Haig novels, listening to audiobooks and podcasts, or exploring her state of North Carolina with her husband, toddler and pup.