Jessica Smith, RD

I’m not your typical registered dietitian.

In fact, I consider myself a holistic dietitian. With my many years of clinical experience and one on one counseling, I’ve discovered the best way to support clients is by understanding all areas of nutrition and health, because sometimes it’s a little more than just what we eat.

During my sessions I take everything into consideration including past medical history, medications, mental health, sleep patterns, exercise, food choices, meal patterns and overall lifestyle. I work to develop a plan that my clients can maintain LONG TERM. My recommendations and support is customized to my client’s unique body and needs.

I gained interest in this field because of my family history. Growing up, I was raised with my “Pennsylvania Dutch” grandparents. In other words, we loved to eat, but EVERYTHING had lots of butter and sugar. I was a chubby little kid growing up and I understand how it feels to be called fat.

My grandparents had many health-related issues (congestive heart disease, hypertension, high cholesterol, strokes, open heart surgery, etc.). This came as no surprise based on their lifestyle choices, and I realized that if I followed the same path coupled with my genetics, I could end up with similar ailments later in life.

My passion for nutrition and health sparked during my teenage years. I started to realize that food is medicine, and it has true POWER in our body.

With nutrition, exercise, and a healthy mind you can absolutely decrease the risk for these diseases, even if something may run in your “genes”.

When I enrolled at Penn State University back in 2009, I knew I needed to pursue a career in preventive health. I love the connections I build with my clients and it’s very rewarding to support them in building a happier, healthier lifestyle.

Throughout my career I was fortunate to work in a variety of areas to broaden my knowledge and experiences. I have worked in long-term care facilities, rehabs, in-patient hospitals, ICUs, NICUs/pediatrics, WIC centers, non-profit community outreach programs and of course my absolute favorite, outpatient counseling.

My career path has given me the opportunity to work with a wide range of clients including a wide range of disease states, weight loss and general health and wellness. I am looking forward to working with you and helping you reach your goals!