Dara Ledwitz, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist
How I Started
For as long as I can remember, food has always been my passion. Whether it is cooking food, eating food, or learning about food's medicinal power, I love it all! This shaped my decision to study nutrition and dietetics in college, and my passion only grew stronger from there. I became a yoga instructor just before going to college, and I was searching for a way to bridge the gap between my love for nutrition with my love for yoga and other holistic healing mechanisms. I started taking classes in integrative medicine and was introduced to the profession of integrative nutrition; it was as if a light bulb lit up! Discovering integrative nutrition was exactly the bridge I was looking for, because it is a way I can help others discover the root cause of an imbalance through examining all aspects of a person's life (including internal and external factors such as diet, stress, movement, relationships, environment), and utilize nutrition to heal and promote balance.
My Experience
I received a Bachelor’s of Dietetics, Nutrition & Food Science and a certificate in Integrative Medicine from The University of Vermont and I completed my dietetic internship at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. I have experience in diabetes care, cardiovascular health, intuitive eating counseling, eating disorder management, and preventative nutrition for pediatrics and women.
Work With Me
One of my greatest interests is the mind-gut connection, how the food we eat and the health of our microbiome (better known as the gut) play a role in how our brain functions. I am a strong believer that food and mood are directly correlated, and am hoping to help others with an individualized approach to how to balance the internal and external factors of life with the use of food as medicine. Another passion of mine is Intuitive Eating, and helping clients step into their Intuitive Eating journey while leaving the diet mentality behind. I also love to create recipes and work closely with clients to discover meal ideas that are exciting, achievable, and fit within one's goal.
About Me
When I am not in the office, you can find me practicing or teaching yoga, cooking for my family and friends, listening to podcasts, strolling the boardwalk, or laying on the couch in my comfiest clothes with my dogs!