Client Spotlight: Anna Khesin, RD, CDN.
I met Anna a few months ago during our branding photoshoot for her business as a registered dietitian and certified dietitian nutritionist. I was instantly in awe of this stunning young woman. She exudes warmth and friendly energy and her passion for nutrition and helping others is contagious.
I am so lucky to be a part of her growing brand by helping her create beautiful images for her online presence. Check out Anna’s interview below and if you are looking for someone to help you transition to a healthier way of eating, she is the girl for you! Her contact info is on the bottom of the article.
1. What experience do you have in the nutrition and wellness profession?
My journey began working in the clinical setting in subacute rehabilitation and long-term care. I then moved on to be the nutrition team lead at a high-end health club where I was responsible for program development and offered club members one-on-one nutritional counseling, support groups, seminars, and grocery store tours. An opportunity in the corporate setting then followed as a regional brand manager for a biotech company. My role was focused on growing my territory through education and business consultation. I also worked in the community setting, offering nutrition education to low-income families. All of this has led me to where I am today and that is working in private practice. I have also published my first book: Living Well with Hemochromatosis. This book is the first to be written by a dietitian on this topic and offers an easy-to-understand overview of the condition, nutrition and lifestyle tips, along with a collection of simple and delicious recipes.
2. Why did you decide to pursue a career in this field?
I grew up in a very health conscious home where home cooking was the norm, fruits and vegetables were abundant, and the cupboards were packed with wholesome foods. My family also always addressed diet and lifestyle factors anytime a health issue or concern would arise. It is safe to say that growing up in this environment cultivated my interest in all things health and wellness. I also struggled with acne as a teenager, an issue that made me feel insecure and bruised my self-esteem. I began to reflect on how I was nourishing my body and found dietary modifications to greatly improve the state of my skin. This was the first time I truly connected how what we eat is not only powerful but also individualized. I learned that there is healthy eating and then healthy eating for acne-prone skin. Later, as I was studying to become a Registered Dietitian, I learned how this applied to so many other facets of life. Healthy for weight loss, healthy for specific disease states, and so on. I knew I wanted to help others and entering the nutrition space just felt right.
3. What is the difference between a nutritionist, health coach, & dietitian?
A Registered Dietitian is the highest level of the three, even though the titles are often used interchangeably. Anyone can label themselves a nutritionist since the title is not regulated. No formal training or license is required. Health coaches have the opportunity to complete a certification program (often 6 months in duration) and may just require an Associate Degree outside of that. Registered Dietitians (RD), on the other hand, must hold a bachelor’s degree in nutrition, complete a 1200 hour supervised dietetic training program, pass a national registration exam, and obtain continuing education requirements. Due to this, Registered Dietitians are able to provide evidence-based Medical Nutrition Therapy which includes helping individuals with disease management such as diabetes and chronic kidney disease.
4. What can a client expect in working with you?
When working with me in a one-on-one capacity, clients reap the benefits of personalized support and guidance. I meet my clients where they are in their lives and focus on helping them confidently navigate and thrive no matter their circumstances. Whether you are a young professional working long hours and devoting a lot of time to travel or a woman juggling the demands of a career and kids, I work on empowering you towards the fulfillment of your goals with your reality in mind! This is why it isn’t a one and done session but rather an ongoing relationship to work on identifying sustainable changes that will serve to improve your quality of life. Health and wellness should never be a burden! My clients bring the desire and drive for change and I meet them with the tools, support, and accountability they need to thrive.
5. What is one nutrition trend that your clients are often inquiring about and what is your opinion on it?
Celery juice has been a big topic of discussion with many of my clients as the buzz surrounding this beverage seemed to be the answer to each and every one of their dilemmas. Weight loss? Drink celery juice. Want improved digestion? Drink celery juice. Wish to lower your cholesterol? Drink celery juice. Miraculous! However, the research to back up these claims isn’t really there. In actuality, juicing discards a very valuable component of celery, and that is fiber. Dietary fiber can help reduce cholesterol, increase satiety, stabilize blood sugar, and benefit certain digestive problems. Of course, celery isn’t our only source of fiber, so I’m not so hung up on it.
Of all nutrition trends, this one is pretty harmless. It may be contraindicated with certain medications and some of my clients with IBS found it to cause bloating, but it does contain vitamin K, phytochemicals, and is hydrating. Many of us aren’t drinking enough and reports of clearer skin and increased energy may just be due to the increase in fluids. So, if this is something that you enjoy and have the time for then by all means, cheers! But it is certainly not essential to a healthy lifestyle.
6. How can someone contact you if they want to work with you?
I offer virtual nutrition counseling so that my clients geographic location and demanding schedules no longer need to be an obstacle to taking charge of health and wellness goals. It is also important that my clients and I are a good fit, so I invite anyone who wishes to work with me to fill out a short application and schedule a free discovery call with me. This is an opportunity for me to learn more about you and for you to get a better sense of my nutrition coaching program. If we decide that the stars have aligned, then you will be invited to join my nutrition coaching program!
Apply to work with me here: https://annakhesinnutrition.typeform.com/to/dUMoGj
Instagram: @annak_rd
