About

At Namaste Nourished we believe that you possess the innate wisdom and strength to make meaningful changes in your life to heal your relationship with your food and body image. We are committed to supporting you through your healing journey each step of the way. Currently, our dietitians are licensed in Florida, Georgia, New York and Oregon. We are also able to see people in states beyond those listed here, as some states do not require state licensure for Registered Dietitians to practice within their state. We are dedicated to helping you find your path towards a more peaceful relationship with food and body to truly live an empowered life.

Kerry McCarthy, MS, RDN, LDN, RYT, CEDS-C
Registered Dietitian Nutritionist

Hi, I'm Kerry McCarthy. I’m a registered dietitian and yoga teacher who is passionate about helping people heal from disordered eating through cultivating a peaceful relationship with food and body. 

I am dedicated to creating a healing space with mind/body health promoting interventions for my clients to live a healthier life beyond food and body preoccupations. I help people reconnect to their body's needs with self-compassion based techniques while letting go of feelings of guilt and shame related to food and body. I look forward to supporting you in overcoming difficulties and developing a new stance on what true health means to you!

Kerry is an iaedp Certified Eating Disorders Specialist and an iaedp Approved Consultant, Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor and Registered Yoga Teacher who specializes in the treatment of eating disorders, disordered eating and body image dissatisfaction. Her interest and experience with yoga philosophy and mindfulness allow for unique crossover with her work as a dietitian. In addition to working with her private clients, Kerry frequently collaborates with other health professionals and universities to educate on the importance of collaborative care in the treatment of eating disorders. She is the active President for iaedp South Florida Chapter.

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Allison Cigrand, MS, RDN, LDN
Registered Dietitian Nutritionist

Hi there, I’m Alli! I’m a passionate and caring registered dietitian dedicated to empowering individuals to cultivate a healthy relationship with food from within. As someone who has always been fascinated by the intricate connection between nutrition and mental well-being, I found my true calling in helping individuals overcome eating disorders and develop a positive relationship with food and body. With evidence-based practices, combined with empathy and understanding, I consider not just physical health but also emotional peace around nutrition when working with my clients. My approach is rooted in nurturing a compassionate and non-judgmental space, where clients can freely explore their relationship with food and their bodies. I hope all my clients understand that they are worthy of a healthy, balanced life and that every step of their journey is worth celebrating.

Alli Holds a Bachelor's Degree in Health Promotion with a Minor in Psychology from the University of Iowa, and a Master's Degree in Dietetics from Nova Southeastern University. She spent a lot of time, and conducted research in her graduate studies, working with food insecure populations in South Florida, via developing and maintaining community gardens which is another passion of hers.

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Renee Hertenberger, MS, RDN, LDN
Registered Dietitian Nutritionist

Hi, I’m Renee Hertenberger, a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist who is passionate about integrative medicine and food as an everyday tool to maintain and enhance our health. With the basis of evidence-based practice combined with compassion and understanding of the situations we face as people, I know that my clients’ goals are not only achievable, but also maintainable. I believe food can be used as a tool to not only enhance our mind/body connection but to also better connect us to many other aspects of our daily lives that are social, psychological, and behavioral. My interest in nutrition began with my fascination with the human body and how we as people function, while my passion for dietetics is driven by the way I am able to connect with others with empathy and compassion in relation to our experience as humans. 

Renee holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Human Nutrition and Foods and a Master’s of Science in Dietetics. In addition to her work with Namaste Nourished, Renee works with other populations concerned with chronic illnesses such as diabetes and kidney disease where she educates others on the prevention and management of chronic illness. Renee enjoys working out and dancing to live music, time in the kitchen, and can often be found on the beach.

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Maria Arellano, RDN
Registered Dietitian Nutritionist

Hi there, I’m Maria Arellano, a dedicated Registered Dietitian Nutritionist who is passionate about helping individuals develop a healthier relationship with food and body image. I combine evidence-based practices with compassionate care to support clients on their journey. I believe cultivating a good relationship with food is essential since nutrition significantly influences our emotional and physical health, and it plays an integral part in our daily social life. I am committed to supporting you in navigating your unique food and body struggles. Together we can develop a sustainable and balanced approach to reaching all of your nutrition goals.

Maria holds a Bachelor of Science in Food Science and Human Nutrition from the University of Florida and is currently pursuing a Master of Science degree in Health Education and Human Behavior. She is bilingual, and can provide nutrition therapy sessions in both English and Spanish. Maria enjoys pilates classes, going to the beach, trying new restaurants, and traveling.

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Jennifer Allen-Hix, MS, RDN, LD, RYT
Registered Dietitian Nutritionist

Hello there, I’m Jennifer Allen. I am a registered dietitian who is passionate about helping adults, adolescents and children develop a healthy relationship with food and body image. Over the years, I have learned that listening to my clients, being compassionate, and having empathy are key factors in building trust, rapport for the necessary foundation to help them overcome eating disorders. I have a strong desire to improve the well-being of my clients through proper nutrition care, education, and movement. I have worked with all diagnoses of eating disorders, including Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) and have experience working with patients at higher levels of care, from Inpatient to PHP. I worked extensively on the south border of Texas with underserved and underrepresented client populations. It is important to me to be able to incorporate cultural practices and foods in my nutrition care. I am committed to helping my clients achieve their health goals through a personalized nutrition care plan and look forward to supporting you in your journey.

Jennifer holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Food and Nutrition and a Master of Science degree in Nutrition and Food Services. She is the active Hospitality Chair for iaedp Atlanta Chapter. Jennifer enjoys theatrical productions and movies and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre at the same time she was earning her undergraduate nutrition degree. In addition, Jennifer is a certified yoga teacher, a multiple pet owner and loves to travel. She has also started a project utilizing social media to inform and educate health-minded individuals.

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Claire Meier
Administrative Assistant

Hi, I’m Claire Meier. I’ve been interested in food and nutrition since I was a competitive swimmer as a kid. In college, I struggled with an eating disorder, which led me to seek a therapist and dietitian for help. I recovered, learned so much about myself, and discovered a love for the field of nutrition and dietetics. I’m a mom to two little girls and working on becoming an RD myself after working in marketing and entertainment for years. I look forward to helping you with your first steps on your journey towards a healing relationship with food and body.

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Mission | Vision | Philosophy

Mission: To create client-centered experiences through nutrition therapy where clients feel a positive impact on their whole lives.

Vision: A commitment to provide quality nutrition therapy that enables CLIENTS to develop alignment between their actions and values, where our services are the preferred care for collaborating PROVIDERS that our EMPLOYEES offer with integrity and pride.

We are a group of dedicated nutrition professionals ready to help you reconnect your mind and body utilizing non-diet and weight inclusive approaches. This means you will receive compassionate care with the use of evidence-based scientific and therapeutic treatment approaches that take your true health into account. We will begin our work by meeting you at the step you are at, developing an individualized path and moving at a manageable pace with the absence of food rules, critiques and judgements. Compassionate curiosity is our shared compass along this journey.

The meaning behind the brand:
The takeaway of our company’s name, Namaste Nourished, is to welcome nourishment of the mind, body and soul. Although we hear the term Namaste very much in the western world used in a yoga class translated as “I bow to you”, we have learned from our yoga teachers from India that “Namaste” is a greeting. In other words, it is a formal way of saying “Hello”. In eating disorder recovery, we are hopeful this message means to welcome recovery, nourishment and support to do this work.

Gain a Healthy Mindset Around Nutrition

Nutrition has become a feared topic in the diet culture we live in. Restriction is not a symbol of health. Allow our group of nutrition professionals to teach you the real facts about nutrition as a tool towards health promoting behaviors.

Learn How to Coexist in Diet Culture Without Losing Your Voice

Diet culture’s beauty standards are becoming more and more unrealistic. This severs the mind/body connection, taking us away from our body’s innate wisdom and further from our authentic selves overall. We will support you as you rebuild the mind/body connection with alternative behaviors that honor your true health and self.

Take Up Space and Live a Meaningful Life

Live in the now by feeling grounded in your actions of nourishment towards your mind, body and soul. We will help you learn how to quiet the inner critic with more compassionate and healing self-talk. This will help you engage in actions with self-care regarding food and body that align with your values.