Melissa McDonald
Specialties
- Anorexia
- Autoimmune disease
- Avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID)
- Bariatric surgery
- Binge eating
- Bulimia
- Cancer
- Celiac disease
- Crohn’s disease
- Diabetes or prediabetes
- Disordered eating
- Eating disorder
- Emotional eating
- Endometriosis
- Food allergies
- General health
- GERD / Acid reflux
- Gestational diabetes
- Gut health
- Healthy aging
- Heart disease
- Heart health
- Help gaining weight
- Help losing weight
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Hormonal health
- Hyperthyroidism
- Hypothyroidism
- IBS
- Kidney disease
- Liver disease
- Lupus
- Men's health
- Menopause
- Multiple sclerosis
- Nutrition support
- Other Specified Feeding and Eating Disorder (OSFED)
- PCOS
- Pediatric nutrition
- Pre or postnatal nutrition
- Prediabetes
- SIBO
- Sports & performance nutrition
- Thyroid disorders
- Type 1 diabetes
- Type 2 diabetes
- Ulcerative colitis
- UTIs
- Vegan/vegetarian
- Weight stabilization
- Women's health
Approaches
🌱
Functional medicine🥘
Meal planning🧍
Personalized macros🔍
Research-focused
Identifies as
- Female
Cuisines / Diets
- Gluten Free
- Mediterranean
- Paleo
- Vegan
- Vegetarian
Minimum patient age
About Melissa
Hi, I'm Melissa. With 19 years as a Registered Dietitian, I use evidence-based nutritional science to help people nourish their health and reach their health and wellness goals. I earned my Bachelor in Nutrition and Dietetics from Northern Illinois University, completed my Dietetic Internship at Hines Hospital, and earned a Certificate of Training in Adult Weight Management. My career has taken me from being a Dietitian at hospitals, fitness centers, wellness centers , and chiropractic offices focusing on nutritional health wellness with a focus on evidence-based care. Hobbies I enjoy are ice skating, riding roller coasters, vacationing with my family, and enjoying time outdoors.
Approach to care
I believe good nutrition grows from understanding and partnership. My approach is collaborative and person-centered, rooted in current science yet tuned to your life. We’ll work together to translate research into practical steps you can sustain, with a weight-neutral HAES lens that respects your goals without dieting culture. I aim to be empathetic and warm, offering clear action steps and accountability, while honoring the whole person, including food, sleep, stress, activity, and mental well-being. Education is central; I’ll help you learn why decisions matter so you can feel confident making choices that last.
Your first session with Melissa
Our first appointment is all about you. We’ll review your medical history and current health goals, talk through any labs or biometrics, and take a deep dive into your relationship with food. I’ll listen without judgment and we’ll design one to two realistic short-term goals to get started. You don’t need to have it all figured out yet; this session is a collaborative conversation where I’ll share what I notice and together we’ll map a path that fits your life. You’ll leave with clarity and a clear next step.
Location
📍 Illinois
Education
Bachelor Degree Nutrition & Dietetics from Northern Illinois University, Dietetic Internship Hines Hospital, Certificate Of Training in Adult Weight Management
Hobbies
Ice skating, riding roller coasters, vacationing, spending time outdoors, and spending time with my family
Licenses and Certifications
RD - Registered Dietitian