Rhesa Lacanienta

About Rhesa

Food has always been a passion, source of comfort and giver of life. I grew up in a Filipino-American household which meant that I loved both pizza rolls and traditional Filipino cuisine. I was a chubby kid that loved being the official taste tester for my parents cooking. At the age of 13, I was diagnosed with membranous glomerulonephritis - my immune system was attacking the filters in my kidneys. At 16, that same nephrologist was delighted to know that I went vegetarian (my reasoning was to lose weight) but to her it meant that the plant-based protein would be easier on my kidneys. I wondered why diet changes weren't mentioned from the very beginning. This started my interest in studying nutrition. Although I’m not vegetarian anymore, I believe the lifestyle change helped me to be medication free for over a decade now. I’ve experienced kidney issues, eczema flares and cancer scares. I know how frustrating it is to find answers to feel ‘normal’ again.

Approach to care

I believe in sustainability and building healthy habits that follow you for life. I believe in a food-first approach. Whole foods are a priority in the prevention and management of various conditions. Every food (cultural and comfort) has a place. Your body - no matter the size, also has a place. Meet with me if you're tired of chasing diet fads and you’re ready for a lifestyle change. You just need that little push! And I’ll be your cheerleader along the way.

Your first session with Rhesa

We’ll do an overview of your health history. What have you tried in the past that worked and didn’t work for you? We’ll look at what your day to day schedule entails. What are your eating habits? I will help you clearly define what your healthiest self feels and looks like. How does your current lifestyle align with those goals? Lastly, we’ll discuss how often check-ins are needed for accountability.

Location

📍 Columbus, Ohio

Education

Dietetic Internship from OSU, MS Nutrition from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, BS Nutrition from Cal Poly, Pomona

Hobbies

weight lifting, cooking, trying new restaurants

Licenses and Certifications