The Beginning of Smiley Stomach
My love for food began when I was young, but I became interested in nutrition as a competitive swimmer for over ten years. My parents instilled the importance of eating well-balanced, nutritious meals to help fuel me for training and meets. When I was in high school, I shadowed Registered Dietitians (RDs) in central Indiana hospitals who provided nutrition education and counseling to bariatric patients post-operation. I was fascinated by what I was learning and inspired by the RDs I met. This solidified my choice to go to Purdue University to study Nutrition & Dietetics. I started Smiley Stomach as an Instagram page the summer of 2016 to share food and nutrition information with close family and friends.
Smiley Stomach Today. . .
Since 2021, I have been practicing as a Registered Dietitian, and my experiences range from community nutrition education, outpatient counseling, and social media work. I still reside in Indiana, where I am blessed to have a growing family! I care deeply about raising children with a positive relationship with food and body image, knowing that starts with the adults and caretakers in their lives. As of 2024, I became a Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor which has been essential in my work as a weight-neutral practitioner. I take a gentle “nutrition approach” and love to find ways we can improve your nutrition and relationship with food by what we can add to your routine. Outside of my work at a Registered Dietitian, I love spending time with my family, taking and teaching barre & mat pilates classes, making fun coffee drinks and mocktails, and spending 1:1 time with my friends.