Valerie Koress, RD

Good nutrition is the foundation for feeling our best and improving our health, but it can also be difficult to navigate and decipher all of the information (and misinformation) available to us about health and nutrition. What works for one person to reach their health goals will not work for everyone, and as a dietitian, it is my goal to help you find what works for you so that nourishing your body is enjoyable and lasting. Moderation is key, so that you can enjoy the foods you always have, while developing a positive relationship with nutritious foods and healthy meals.  

​

​

I have been a nutrition practitioner for over ten years, with the majority of my experience working with perinatal women, infants, and young children. I also have experience in counseling patients on common chronic health conditions, such as diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol. In addition to being a registered and licensed dietitian, I am also an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, being able to uniquely provide both nutrition and lactation services to families with infants. I also draw from my own experience in infant and child nutrition as the mother of two boys, who have been exploring a variety of foods with me since they were old enough to start eating solid foods.  

​

​

I received my BS in Human Nutrition from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and MS in Dietetics from Eastern Michigan University. In addition to providing direct nutrition services, I have also managed a variety of community nutrition programs, typically serving our most vulnerable populations in terms of socioeconomic status and access to food and health care. I have been the recipient of multiple grants to support the implementation of these nutrition programs, and have also received the Illinois Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Recognized Young Dietitian of the Year Award.  

​

​

In addition to spending most of my free time keeping my boys active, I love gardening (fruits, vegetables, and herbs), and have also kept chickens (and hope to do so again in the future). The taste difference and satisfaction of growing your own food can be indescribable, and is possible for everyone – even if you have a tiny space and can only grow edibles in pots. I’d love to help you with this part of your nutrition journey in addition to traditional nutrition therapy.  

​

​

The last thing I think is important for potential clients to know about me is that in 2024 I was [very unexpectedly] diagnosed with cancer, specifically a pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor, which are slow-growing and often difficult to diagnose cancers because of the subtle symptoms. I have always had a strong interest in oncology nutrition, and facing this diagnosis myself has further solidified that interest. It can be extremely challenging to maintain good nutrition with a cancer diagnosis, especially during the various forms of treatment, and I would welcome the opportunity to provide nutrition services to individuals facing a cancer diagnosis/treatment.