Meet the RDs
Specialties
weight management
nutrition for digestive syndromes and disorders
food allergies and intolerances
nutrition for autoimmune conditions
diet and detoxification
blood sugar management
Hello there! Thanks for visiting.
I am Gretchen Spetz, registered and licensed dietitian and creator of The Functional Kitchen. I am honored to be able to share my passion for nutrition with you. Ever since I was little, I loved to cook. I firmly believe in the importance of balance between cooking healthful meals and forming food habits that do not require you to spend all day in the kitchen.
Throughout the course of my career, I have come to learn that the key to better health through food is not a simple equation of eat less and exercise more. Like many other women, I have experienced the fatigue, difficulty losing weight, anxiety, and digestive problems that seem to go hand in hand with the juggling act of motherhood, career, and countless other responsibilities. When I discussed this with my doctor, I was told I was "normal." I sure didn't feel normal! I felt like a shadow of my former self.
Enter functional nutrition. At this point, I started learning everything I could about this food-as-medicine approach to diet and health. Instead of using nutrition reactively to combat chronic disease diagnoses (example: cut sodium intake when you have high blood pressure), I learned to use nutrition to influence the root cause of chronic diseases. Getting the right balance of protein, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals can assist the body's natural regulation mechanisms and bring everything back into balance. This translates to you feeling amazing!
I have a BA from the University of Notre Dame and a master's degree in public health nutrition from Case Western Reserve University. I worked as an outpatient dietitian specializing in weight management, diabetes, gastrointestinal disorders, and autoimmune disease at two of the country's top hospitals. In 2022, I was recognized as an Integrative and Functional Nutrition Certified Practitioner (IFNCP) after completing the most comprehensive certification program in functional nutrition through the Integrative and Functional Nutrition Academy.
I am the proud mom of two girls. Motherhood was the catalyst for helping me discover functional nutrition, and I am thankful to them for this! I love being active by lifting weights, walking, CrossFit, stand-up paddleboard, and yoga.
Specialties
weight management
food allergies
blood sugar management
lipid management
anti-inflammatory diet
Hey there, I'm Taylor Richter.
I am a registered and licensed dietitian. I deeply believe that each person is unique in their nutritional needs, habits and schedule. I love walking alongside people to help discover a lifestyle that aligns with their health goals, fits seamlessly into their lives and leads to them feeling their best.
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In today's world, the wealth of information on disease management, weight loss, and supplements can be incredibly confusing. My goal when working with clients is to help guide them through the process and figure out what works best for their body - in a whole person approach. I have seen firsthand how addressing the whole person is essential when tackling chronic diseases, managing stress, and addressing weight fluctuations.
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It is easy to compartmentalize factors like sleep, stress, mental health, physical activity and diet. But in reality, they're all interconnected, impacting the body's natural rhythms. I've experienced this interconnectedness in my own life and in my clients' journeys. When we address all these components, we see real, long-lasting changes, and people start to feel more like themselves again.
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I have a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Nutrition and a minor in Human Development and Family Studies from Kent State University. Prior to becoming a registered dietitian, I worked in the clinical setting as a dietetic technician specializing in allergies. Since becoming a registered dietitian, I’ve focused on functional medicine specializing in weight management, blood sugar management, cardiovascular health and gastrointestinal disorders.
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I am a proud mom to a wonderful daughter and two lively dogs. They inspire me to strive to feel my best every day to keep up with their energy levels! I also enjoy trying new foods, diving into mystery novels, and tending to my growing collection of houseplants.