Between what you hear on TV and read online, nutrition can seem confusing. Deciding what to eat, how much to eat, and when to eat can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. A registered dietitian (RD), or registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN), can help.
Read on for more information about RDN education, training and some of the reasons individuals seek the expert, science-backed guidance and support of an RDN. We also introduce the Mom’s Meals® RDN team
What is an RD and RDN?
Registered dietitians or RDNs are experts in the disciplines of food and nutrition. They translate the complex science of nutrition into healthy, real-world solutions for clients.
An RDN can work with you and support you in developing a realistic and sound eating plan that you can stick with for the long haul. An RDN will partner with you to identify creative and out-of-the-box strategies for meal planning, grocery shopping and mindful eating. Offering nutrition information to help you manage chronic health conditions such as high blood pressure, food allergies, heart disease, celiac disease and diabetes is an important role that RDNs play.
Registered dietitian nutritionists draw on their science-based education and experience to provide vital food and nutrition services while helping individuals make positive lifestyle changes tailored to their unique needs.
What is their education?
Registered dietitian and RDNs work in many different employment settings and roughly half have advanced degrees. Some RDNs maintain certifications in specialized practice areas, such as nutrition support, pediatric nutrition and diabetes education. Some are trained chefs, so they combine culinary expertise with nutrition to present delicious and nutritious recipes.
Anyone can call themselves a nutritionist, but only an RDN has completed education and training established by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics. All RDNs must:
- Earn a four-year degree in an approved and accredited nutrition curriculum.
- Complete an extensive supervised program of practice in an internship or program of practice.
- Pass a rigorous registration exam.
- Maintain continuing education credits related to their practice throughout their career.
What is the role of the RD/RDN at Mom's Meals?
Working in the Research and Development department, they calculate the nutrient content of meals, as well as provide nutrition and ingredient information to clients and staff. RDNs also collaborate with the Sales and Marketing Departments working with agencies and health plans to establish Mom’s Meals as their home-delivered meal provider. RDs and RDNs conduct nutrition counseling telephonically with clients and assist individuals in making nutrition changes to better manage health conditions and overall wellness.
Where can I find an RDN in my community?
They work in a variety of settings including hospitals, clinics and long-term care facilities, as well as school foodservice and the college environment. Some work in the retail supermarket setting or as part of research and development in manufacturing and food companies.
Others have their own practice, working with clients to address eating issues, overall wellness, or specific dietary concerns. Look for cookbooks and nutrition resources authored by an RDN as a source of credible nutrition information. Possibilities for RDNs are endless as consumers become more interested in food and how it affects their health and wellbeing.
Our dietitians come from a variety of professional experiences and enjoy the opportunities to share the nutrition services of our company with clients nationwide.
Meet our RNs and RDNs
Amanda Daines, RDN, LD
Amanda Daines, RDN, LD
Amanda has been with Mom’s Meals since 2013 and a dietitian for 18 years. In her role as director of research and development and nutrition services, Amanda strives to keep the Mom’s Meals mission in the forefront when leading her team. She does this by providing nutrition solutions for members that preserve health, help combat chronic disease, support recuperation and nourish independence for a higher quality of life.
Samantha Mosbrucker, RD, LD, MPH
Samantha Mosbrucker, RD, LD, MPH
Samantha has been with Mom’s Meals for three years and works from her home in Minnesota. She received a Master’s degree in public health nutrition from the University of Minnesota. Samantha has a passion for reducing food insecurity and making healthy food more accessible. In her free time, Sam loves to engage in joyful movement like hiking, biking, practicing yoga and walking her two dogs.
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Jenny Norgaard, RD, LD
Jenny Norgaard, RD, LD
Jenny has been with Mom’s Meals since August 2020 as a nutrition educator. She graduated from Iowa State University and has been a dietitian for 24 years working in a variety of areas including retail dietetics, hospitals, nursing homes and a weight loss center. She is passionate about health and wellness and loves helping others. In her spare time, she enjoys trying out new recipes, spending time with family, biking, running and traveling.
Catherine Macpherson, MS, RDN
Catherine Macpherson, MS, RDN
Catherine joined Mom’s Meals in 2017 and serves as SVP of healthcare strategy and chief nutrition officer. She is responsible for ensuring the company’s nutrition solutions meet the needs of its partners by designing clinical programs that meet their strategic objectives. Catherine is a registered dietitian and health care innovator. She earned a Master of Science degree in nutrition from the University of Minnesota and her BA from the University of Michigan.
Bryan Petkoff, RD, LD
Bryan Petkoff, RD, LD
Bryan is from Cleveland, Ohio and the current representative for Ohio and Michigan for the last seven years. He enjoys his time with his son and daughter.
Colleen Miller, MS, RDN
Colleen Miller, MS, RDN
Colleen is manager of healthcare partnerships at Mom’s Meals. Her love of sports led her to pursue a career as a dietitian. She has been a dietitian for over 10 years and has worked in various areas including clinical, sports nutrition and medical food.
Julie Gieseman, RD, LD, CDCES
Julie Gieseman, RD, LD, CDCES
Julie just celebrated her three-year anniversary at Mom’s Meals. She is a graduate of Iowa State University and has been a dietitian for over 20 years working with a wide variety of focus areas of dietetics, primarily working as a diabetes educator in many different states. She loves biking, water sports, including kayaking, or anything outdoors and traveling especially to tropical locations.
Taylor Grgurich, RDN, LD
Taylor Grgurich, RDN, LD
Taylor has been with Mom’s Meals since December 2021. She graduated from Iowa State University and has been a dietitian for eight years with a range of experience including clinical nutrition, special diet education and community nutrition experience. In Taylor’s free time, she enjoys spending time with family, reading, trying new recipes and camping with friends.
Jana Martin, MS, RDN, LD
Jana Martin, MS, RDN, LD
ana is a director of healthcare partnerships, working with Medicare Advantage health plans to provide post-discharge and chronic condition home delivered meals to members, keeping them out of the hospital. She has been an RDN for 14 years and specializes in diabetes and renal nutrition. When she is not at work, she loves to run, play volleyball and be a hockey mom to her two boys.
Katie Mednick, MBA, RD, LD
Katie Mednick, MBA, RD, LD
Katie is a registered dietitian from Portland, Oregon. She completed her bachelor’s degree in dietetics at Purdue University and her dietetic internship at Vanderbilt University. Katie currently lives in Nashville, Tennessee and works as a renal transplant dietitian. Katie first joined our team as a nutrition intern in 2020 and now works as a part-time dietitian for Mom’s Meals. Outside of work, she is an avid runner, hiker and reader. Katie also loves to try new recipes and experiment with cooking.
Brianna Moncada, RDN
Brianna Moncada, RDN
Brianna lives in San Diego, Calif., and enjoys walking her dog, cooking and relaxing on nights in. She loves tinkering around in the kitchen with healthy recipe substitutions and trying different cultural cuisines like Thai, Vietnamese and Ethiopian. Variety is the spice of life!
Stacey Silver, RDN
Stacey Silver, RDN
Stacey is manager of healthcare partnerships (Florida and Georgia). She was born and raised in South Fla., graduated from Florida State University and has been a part of the Mom’s Meals team since February 2021. She has a passion for nutrition and fitness and enjoys staying active.
Nutrition
