I’M HAPPY
YOU’RE HERE

I’D LOVE TO HELP YOU REDEFINE YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH FOOD

I’m a Registered Dietitian with a background in Psychology and a Masters in Nutrition. I’ve completed almost 1000 sessions and over 50 corporate wellness presentations.

A woman with short dark hair, smiling and holding a glass mug, wearing a denim shirt, in front of a pink wall.

ARE YOU TIRED OF TRYING TO UNDERSTAND THE OVERWHELMING WORLD OF NUTRITION?

DO YOU HAVE A HABIT OF SEEING NUTRITION IN A BLACK AND WHITE WAY? OR MAYBE YOU NEED HELP MANAGING A CHRONIC HEALTH CONDITION AND HAVE NO IDEA WHERE TO START?

We live in a society where our food choices are often associated with our morality. This can lead to feelings of shame and guilt when we eat things we know we “shouldn’t.”

There is no such thing as perfection when it comes to our eating habits and I believe in the power of small, meaningful steps to create long-term change. Together, we’ll uncover the “why” behind your eating patterns, challenge unhelpful food rules, and build a foundation of trust with your body. This isn’t about quick fixes—it’s about creating a life where food supports your well-being and aligns with your goals.

I take a personalized, compassionate approach and many of my clients often state that our sessions feel like “food therapy.” Talking about our food choices can be a vulnerable experience and I promise to never judge you. Ever. And perhaps most importantly, I can guarantee you we’re going to have fun and laugh along the way.

Close-up photo of a woman smiling with dark hair, wearing strawberry earrings and a pink sleeveless top with strawberry patterns, against a pink background.
Illustration of a pink strawberry with green leaves and white seeds.

I call myself “The Colorful Dietitian” because I bring energy, vibrancy and passion in everything I do.

OH, AND I LOVE BRIGHT COLORS IF YOU HAVEN’T NOTICED :)

Registered Dietitians traditionally work in a clinical setting and provide care for patients with acute or chronic health conditions. It wasn’t long into my inpatient rotation that I realized this was not an environment where I would thrive. With the limited time I had with patients, I found it incredibly difficult to get to the root of the issue and do what I love most: connect with people.

When I graduated, I knew I wanted to work with people who wanted my help in an environment that was conducive to enacting change. Never one for tradition, I found a job at a fitness center in downtown Chicago where I was able to hone my skills in nutrition counseling and developing corporate wellness presentations.

get in touch ➔

FAVORITE BEVERAGE

SPICY MARGARITA OR CAIPIRINHA

Favorite cuisine

ANY AND ALL ASIAN FOOD! BUT MORE SPECIFICALLY, SUSHI

COFFEE ORDER

ICED HAZELNUT LATTE WITH OAT MILK (I ACTUALLY ONLY LIKE MY COFFEE ICED!)

FAVORITE MOVIE

SILENCE OF THE LAMBS (FOLLOWED VERY CLOSELY BY BLACK SWAN)

former texas girl

I GREW UP IN THE SUBURBS OF HOUSTON, TEXAS BUT HAVE LIVED IN CHICAGO FOR A DECADE. IT’S HOME NOW.

mountain air

EVEN THOUGH I LOVE THE WATER, I WOULD TRADE LAKE MICHIGAN FOR MOUNTAINS ANY DAY

plot twist

DESPITE WHAT IT MAY SEEM, STRAWBERRIES ARE NOT MY FAVORITE FRUIT! GIVE ME A JUICY MANGO AND I’M A HAPPY GAL!

I SWAM COMPETITIVELY FOR 10 YEARS AND THE MAJORITY OF MY CHILDHOOD MEMORIES ARE AT THE POOL OR A SWIM MEET WITH MY FRIENDS

did you know

I AM HAPPIEST IN THE SUNSHINE! SITTING OUT IN A PARK OR ON A PATIO WITH A COCKTAIL IS MY HAPPY PLACE

my happy place

Smiling woman with long, reddish hair and light makeup.

2009

GRADUATED FROM LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY WITH A BACHELOR’S DEGREE IN PSYCHOLOGY.

During this time, I volunteered at a crisis/suicide call center where I counseled people struggling with various mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression and eating disorders. This experience helped me develop a deep understanding of the unique challenges and complexities that come with treating these conditions. I knew I wanted to do something similar as a career but didn’t quite have the vision yet.

Woman with short brown hair smiling and holding a glass of beer

2013

MOVED TO PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC

I received a certification to teach English as a foreign language. Turns out, teaching English is really difficult and I had no interest in it so I became a nanny instead. While living abroad was challenging for many reasons, it offered a different view of the world and I am grateful for the opportunity to travel to several European cities. Budapest was my favorite!

A woman smiling in front of the Cloud Gate sculpture, also known as "The Bean," at Millennium Park in Chicago. The sculpture is reflective and distorts the surrounding cityscape and people.

2014

I LOVED CITY LIFE IN PRAGUE AND DECIDED TO MOVE TO CHICAGO WHEN I RETURNED TO THE STATES.

I didn’t know anyone when I moved here and it took me a few years to find my community but once I did, I fell in love with the city and people here. I still didn’t have a clear idea of what I wanted to do “when I grew up” so I waited tables and worked as a nanny to make ends meet.

A woman smiling outdoors with a background of trees and a waterfall.

2016

WHERE MY RESUME GETS A LITTLE WEIRD

I did some solo traveling to Croatia and Bosnia then went on a trip to Spain and Morocco with my best friend from college. She’d recently changed her diet and told me of all the benefits she’d experienced. I was intrigued and decided to follow her diet when I returned home. I immediately noticed an increase in energy and confidence as well as a decrease in stress and anxiety. I’d always been interested in nutrition and it slowly became clear to me that this blended two of my passions - nutrition and mental health. I’d found my calling.

Young woman smiling, holding a whiteboard that reads 'Ali's First Day of GRAD SCHOOL!!! CLASS OF 2022', standing in front of a brick wall.

2019

AFTER A FEW YEARS OF MULLING IT OVER, I WAS READY TO DO THE DAMN THING

I found a great Master’s program right here in Chicago at UIC and decided I was going give it my all to get in. Before I could even apply, I had to complete 1.5 years of prerequisite classes like Anatomy & Physiology, Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry. I hadn’t been in a classroom for over a decade and these classes really took it out of me. Nevertheless, I powdered though (even when the world shut down due to Covid) and was accepted into UIC.

A young woman at graduation wearing a navy cap and gown, smiling while holding a diploma in front of a building.

2022

I FINISHED MY MASTERS!

Two and a half years of classes that included a year-long unpaid internship and a *lot* of stress but I did it. But it wasn’t over yet…

A woman taking a mirror selfie with her smartphone. She has short dark hair and is wearing a white lab coat over a red top and black pants. The room has a bed with a peach-colored quilt, a window with sheer curtains, and brick walls.

2023

BEFORE I COULD BEGIN PRACTICING AS A REGISTERED DIETITIAN, I FIRST HAD TO PASS A 4-HOUR EXAM.

I was no stranger to exams at this point but this was, without a doubt, the worst test I’d ever taken. I passed and shortly after, began working at a fitness center in downtown Chicago. This was a great first job as a dietitian but I always knew I wanted to eventually own a private practice.

A woman with short dark hair wearing a sleeveless pink sweater with strawberry patterns, holding a pair of strawberry-shaped sunglasses, smiling against a pink background.

2025

AND HERE WE ARE!

I’m beyond excited and grateful to have the opportunity to help you with your nutrition. Being a dietitian fills up my cup in the best way possible, so let’s fill up your cup too :)