Top-Rated Nutritionists in Durham, North Carolina
Our expert dietitian nutritionists offer virtual nutrition counseling to patients in Durham and across North Carolina, and in-person nutrition counseling in Raleigh. Our dietitians are covered by insurance if you have a Blue Cross Blue Shield or Aetna plan, and many of our patients pay nothing out of pocket! Get started today by booking an appointment.
About Ruby Oak Nutrition
When it comes to healthcare, finding the right help can be tough these days. And when you’re looking for a registered dietitian but don’t want to be put on a generic meal plan or given stale diet advice, the search can be even more challenging.
At Ruby Oak Nutrition, we take a different approach to nutrition counseling. We believe in the principles of Health at Every Size and intuitive eating, and we don’t put our clients on diets or encourage intentional weight loss. We’re a group of registered dietitian nutritionists based in Raleigh and Durham, NC, and we specialize in eating disorders and disordered eating; non-diet nutrition counseling and nutrition therapy; prenatal, pregnancy and postpartum nutrition; pediatric nutrition; lactation and breastfeeding; sports nutrition; diabetes management and GLP-1 nutriton support; and various health conditions like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, gastrointestinal disorders, and food allergies and sensitivities.
Our Durham dietitian nutritionists know that health can’t be measured by the number on the scale. Instead, we help our clients implement slow, sustainable changes to their eating habits that promote overall wellbeing and support their long-term health journey. We’ve worked with hundreds of clients of all ages, and they’ve told us that they appreciate how knowledgeable, patient, and non-judgemental we are.
Whether you’re looking for help with eating disorder recovery, blood sugar control, intuitive eating, cooking for food allergies, or something else, our dietitian nutritionists in Durham NC are here to support you. We offer both virtual and in-person appointments, accept health insurance (Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, and the North Carolina State Employee Health Plan), and typically see our clients once a week or twice a month.
Below you can read more about each of our dietitians and decide who might be the best fit for you.
9 of the best dietitians & nutritionists in Durham, NC
Our North Carolina dietitians are trained in a variety of specialty areas. All of the dietitians at Ruby Oak Nutrition are trained in eating disorders and can support clients in recovery. We also offer lactation consultations (AKA breastfeeding support), prenatal and postpartum nutrition help, chronic disease management, intuitive eating guidance, wellness, and nutrition support for people who struggle with executive function.
Megan Shawver, MS, RD, LDN
Megan Shawver (she/her) is an eating disorder dietitian nutritionist in Raleigh, NC. She sees clients in person and virtually. She specializes in eating disorders, pediatrics, and intuitive eating, and she brings a mix of curiosity and expertise to her work with each client. During her internship year, Megan got hands-on training at an eating disorder treatment facility, where she learned about different eating disorders and disease states. She’s knowledgeable about eating disorder meal planning, realistic goal setting, nutrition restoration, and collaborating with a multi-disciplinary team to manage the symptoms and potential medical complications of eating disorders.
- Credentials: Registered Dietitian (RD), Licensed Dietitian Nutritionist (LDN) in North Carolina
- License number: L008929
- Education: Franklin Pierce University (Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences), Meredith College (Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics)
- Specialty areas: Adult eating disorders, child and teen eating disorders, pediatric nutrition, intuitive eating
- Years in practice: 1
Kala Bernard, MPH RD, LDN, CPT
Kala Bernard (she/her) is a Raleigh dietitian nutritionist and certified personal trainer. She has worked in various settings with all age groups, including gyms, inpatient hospitals, and the Durham County Health Department. Kala helps clients manage chronic conditions like diabetes and hypertension through gentle nutrition. Kala’s interest in becoming a dietitian stemmed from her own experience with autoimmune diseases at a young age, and she’s passionate about supporting others with similar health challenges.
- Credentials: Registered Dietitian (RD), Licensed Dietitian Nutritionist (LDN) in North Carolina, Certified Personal Trainer (CPT)
- License number: L007633 (NC)
- Education: North Carolina State University (Bachelor of Science in Human Biology), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (Master of Public Health in Nutrition)
- Specialty areas: Child and teen eating disorders, pediatric nutrition, sports nutrition, and chronic disease management
- Years in practice: 3
Sarah Booth, MS, RD, LDN
Sarah Booth (she/her) is a Raleigh dietitian nutritionist who takes a Health at Every Size® (HAES)-aligned approach to wellness. She works with clients of all ages and from all backgrounds. She specializes in both eating disorders and diabetes management, and she loves showing clients that it’s possible to lower their A1C and keep their blood sugar levels more stable without strict diets. She also helps clients on GLP-1 medications navigate symptoms and meet their nutrition needs.
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Credentials: Registered Dietitian (RD), Licensed Dietitian Nutritionist (LDN) in North Carolina
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License number: L00663 (NC)
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Education: Appalachian State University (Bachelor of Science in Nutrition, Master of Science in Nutrition)
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Specialty areas: Adult eating disorders, teen eating disorders, diabetes, chronic disease management
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Years in practice: 5
Abby Caudle-Patton, MS, RD, LDN
Abby Caudle-Patton (she/her) is a registered dietitian nutritionist in North Carolina. In addition to eating disorder nutrition counseling, she offers chronic disease management services to teenagers and adults who struggle with health problems like diabetes, heart disease, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, celiac disease, and irritable bowel syndrome. Abby enjoys forming meaningful counseling relationships with her patients, and prefers to see people for regular check-ups over a longer period of time in order to create lasting changes that improve lifelong health.
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Credentials: Registered Dietitian (RD), Licensed Dietitian Nutritionist (LDN) in North Carolina
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License number: L006919 (NC)
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Education: North Carolina State University (Bachelor of Science in Nutrition), Meredith College (Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics)
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Specialty areas: Adult eating disorders, teen eating disorders, intuitive eating, chronic disease management
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Years in practice: 4
Serena Hutchinson, MPH, RD, LDN, IBCLC
Serena Hutchinson (she/her) is a board-certified lactation consultant and registered dietitian nutritionist in Raleigh and Durham, NC, who sees clients in person and virtually. She specializes in eating disorders, lactation, and women’s health, and also offers nutrition guidance for chronic disease management. Serena has expertise in a variety of chronic health conditions, including diabetes, PCOS, and and heart disease, and she understands how nutrition can complement medication and other lifestyle changes when it comes to managing chronic disease. Serena is highly trained in chronic disease management for pregnant women, and she’s a great resource for anyone struggling to manage their blood sugar, cholesterol levels, or blood pressure during pregnancy.
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Credentials: Registered Dietitian (RD), Licensed Dietitian Nutritionist (LDN) in North Carolina, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC)
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License number: L007181 (NC)
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Education: Florida State University (Bachelor of Science Dietetics and Psychology), The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (Master of Public Health in Nutrition), Carolina Global Breastfeeding Institute (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant)
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Specialty areas: Adult eating disorders, teen eating disorders, lactation/breastfeeding, pregnancy and postpartum nutrition, gestational diabetes, PCOS
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Years in practice: 4
Cherisse Chaney, MS, RD, LDN
Cherisse Chaney (she/her) is a Raleigh-Durham dietitian nutritionist who’s passionate about helping people improve their health without fixating on weight or setting unrealistic expectations for themselves. She works with clients who want to manage diabetes and other chronic diseases while still enjoying food and prioritizing a great quality of life.
- Credentials: Registered Dietitian (RD), Licensed Dietitian Nutritionist (LDN) in North Carolina
- License number: L008932 (NC)
- Education: College of Charleston (Bachelor of Arts in English), Meredith College (Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics)
- Specialty areas: Teen eating disorders, adult eating disorders, chronic disease management, diabetes and GLP-1 support
- Years in practice: 1
Deidra Sisk, MS, RD, LDN
Deidra Sisk (she/her) is a registered dietitian nutritionist in North Carolina who offers virtual nutrition counseling. She has years of experience in offering nutrition therapy for chronic disease management. Deidra understands that being too rigid or controlling with food is a leading cause of eating disorders, and therefore she encourages her patients to take a more flexible approach to chronic disease treatment and management. Her nutrition counseling focuses on lifestyle changes and overall health, not fad diets and short-term fixes. She sees patients of all ages and has expertise in heart disease, diabetes, irritable bowel disease, and more.
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Credentials: Registered Dietitian (RD), Licensed Dietitian Nutritionist (LDN) in North Carolina
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License number: L004298 (NC)
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Education: Eastern Carolina University (Bachelor of Science in Nutrition Science, Master of Science in Nutrition Science),
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Specialty areas: Adult eating disorders, teen eating disorders, chronic disease management
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Years in practice: 10
Christine Byrne, MPH, RD, LDN
Christine Byrne (she/her) is a registered dietitian in Raleigh, NC who sees patients virtually and in person. She specializes in eating disorders and intuitive eating, and also works with adults who are managing chronic conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and GERD. She believes that it’s possible to improve your overall health and quality of life without cutting out your favorite foods or tracking everything you eat.
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Credentials: Registered Dietitian (RD), Licensed Dietitian Nutritionist (LDN) in North Carolina
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License number: L006631 (NC)
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Education: Northwestern University (Bachelor of Arts in English), The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (Master of Public Health in Nutrition)
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Specialty areas: Adult eating disorders, intuitive eating
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Years in practice: 5
Nutrition services we provide
Eating Disorder Nutrition Counseling for Adults
Our Durham registered dietitian nutritionists offer nutrition counseling, meal support, meal planning, food exposures, and more. We help you challenge disordered thoughts and behaviors, nourish your body, and work towards a full recovery. Some of our dietitians have experience working at higher levels of care, like residential treatment centers and inpatient facilities, so we can help you transition to or from these levels of care as well.
Eating Disorder Nutrition Counseling for Kids and Teens
When it comes to adolescent eating disorder treatment, we take a family-based treatment approach. That means we support both the adolescent and the parents (usually in separate appointments). Our North Carolina dietitians offer both virtual and in person appointments to support the recovery process for families, and we can help you transition to or from a higher level of care as needed.
Intuitive Eating Nutrition Counseling
Our dietitian nutritionists have expertise in intuitive eating and can help guide you in overcoming chronic dieting, food guilt, binge eating, and an obsession with food and body weight. Many of our clients come to us because they’re confused about all the intuitive eating information they see on social media and they want a more personalized approach.
Non-Diet Nutrition for Chronic Disease Management
Our dietitians can help you manage conditions like diabetes, high cholesterol, food intolerances and allergies, high blood pressure, thyroid conditions, PCOS, IBS, acid reflux, and more through lifestyle and behavior changes — without focusing on weight loss, cutting out your favorite foods, or obsessing about what you eat. We’ve helped clients lower their HbA1c, lower their total cholesterol, reduce digestive distress, and more.
Lactation & Breastfeeding Support
Our lactation consultant (who is also a dietitian nutritionist) comes to your home to set you up for success with breastfeeding and help you work through any challenges you’re having. We can help with common issues like painful latch, tongue-tie, low milk supply, difficulty pumping, mastitis, and more.
Fertility, Pregnancy, & Postpartum Nutrition Counseling
We can help you navigate nutrition concerns, health goals, and challenges that might arise while you’re pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or in the postpartum phase — without weight shaming and diet rules.
FAQs about working with a dietitian
What is the difference between a nutritionist and a dietitian?
Registered dietitians (also called RDs, RDNs, registered dietitian nutritionists, or dietitians) have advanced degrees in nutrition, complete 1000+ hours of supervised clinical practice in hospitals and other settings, and sit for a rigorous exam in order to become credentialed by the Commission on Dietetic Registration. In North Carolina, dietitians are also licensed by the state board. It used to be possible to become a dietitian with just a bachelor’s degree in nutrition and a supervised internship. As of 2024, all dietitians must complete a master’s degree in nutrition, in addition to supervised internship practice and sitting the exam.
Every dietitian can choose to call themselves an RD (Registered Dietitian) or RDN (Registered Dietitian Nutritionist). It’s a little bit confusing, but both of these credentials mean the same thing and are interchangeable.
On the other hand, anyone can call themselves a nutritionist — there’s no education, certification, or licensure required. Often, dietitians will call themselves dietitian nutritionists because “nutritionist” is a word that most people know (whereas “dietitian” is a word most people can’t even spell!). But if you’re looking for high-quality nutrition guidance, it’s important that you seek out the help of someone who has a registered dietitian credential.
At Ruby Oak Nutrition, we only hire dietitians — not uncredentialed nutritionists — because we believe in evidence-based nutrition care. We know that you don’t learn everything in school, but we value the fact that dietitians have a ton of nutrition knowledge backing up their lived experiences and their counseling skills.
Do dietitians give me a meal plan?
We’re not the kind of dietitians who will just hand you a cookie-cutter meal plan, tell you to make a few lifestyle changes, and send you on your way. Instead, we focus on getting to know you and working collaboratively with you to figure out the best path towards your goals.
That said, we do sometimes create custom meal plans for our clients. When a client is struggling with an eating disorder and is under-nourishing their body or engaging in restriction, a meal plan can be a helpful tool. Meal plans help you work towards adequate food intake and can make it easier to schedule meals and snacks. Our meal plans are designed to help families create a structured eating environment for an adolescent in recovery, and to give adult clients some guidance at meal times. We never tell our clients exactly what they need to eat, and we always listen to any concerns they have about their meal plan.
Is it worth seeing a nutritionist?
As dietitian nutritionists, we have expertise in many areas of nutrition. Sure, anyone can go online and Google what to eat — but if that actually worked, everyone would be perfectly nourished and no one would struggle with disordered eating behaviors.
If you’re not sure whether or not to make an appointment with a dietitian, think about the heath goals you’re hoping to work towards. Could you reach them on your own? Maybe. But working with one of our expert dietitians will probably help you get there faster. Many of our past clients have also told us that their goals changed during the months they worked with us, because their nutrition counseling sessions helped them get clarity on what’s actually important to them.
If you’re worried about the cost of nutrition counseling, check out our Insurance and FAQ page to see if your insurance will cover the cost of appointments. We’re in-network with the largest health insurance companies in North Carolina, which means many of our patients see us at little or no out-of-pocket cost.
Our Durham, NC dietitians are here to give you the personalized, non-diet nutrition support you’ve been looking for.
Whether you’re struggling with an eating disorder or want help managing your diabetes, our team of registered dietitians is here to help. Many of our clients seek us out because they’re tired of being told that losing weight will solve all of their health problems, or because they feel like other dietitians just hand them boring meal plans without getting to know them.
We take a different approach to nutrition and wellbeing. We don’t focus on weight as the primary measure of someone’s health, and we don’t focus on weight loss as the main goal of nutrition counseling. Instead, we help our clients figure out what health means to them, and then we offer nutrition guidance to support whatever goals they have.
If you’re interested in nutrition counseling, fill our our appointment request form and someone will get back to you about scheduling an initial consultation.