Robin Reynolds RD
Who I am and why I do this
Winner - Best Dietitian 2020
A Community Focused on Health through Food
Welcome to Robin Reynolds RD. Most of us love good food. We enjoy preparing, sharing, and eating with others. Some of our greatest memories in life are connected to food in one way or another. I teach you how to use food as a tool to get your health back. And yes – you really can eat delicious foods and have great health. You just need the right plan for YOU.
Robin Reynolds, RD, LD, CDCES, CLT
Life is all about personal journeys, so here is mine. My journey has always been oriented around food, even from the start.
After completing my Bachelor of Science at the University of Central Arkansas in 1994, I found myself managing a restaurant while I looked for a “real” job. Little did I know that that experience would prove to change the course of my life.
Not only did I gain experience in staffing, budgeting, training, and customer service, I learned about food safety, health inspections, and sanitation.
Everything changed when an employee of mine, who was a college student with Type 1 diabetes, tragically died from poor management of his disease. As his employer, I felt helpless and ashamed that I didn’t know more or do more to help him. That experience drove me to return to school and become a dietitian so that I could possibly help others avoid his fate.
Education and Credentials
Bachelor of Science – Biology (1994), Dietetics and Nutrition (2001) – University of Central Arkansas
Dietetic Internship – University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (2002)
RD – Registered Dietician (2002)
LD – Licensed Dietician (2002)
Trained Tobacco Interventionist - Arkansas Foundation for Medical Care (2004)
CDCES – Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist – (2015)
EIM – Exercise Is Medicine Certification – American College of Sports Medicine (2019)
CLT – Certified Leap Therapist (2018)
IFMNT – Integrative and Functional Medical Nutrition Therapist (completing late 2021)
Education Journey
I completed my second BS in Dietetics and Nutrition in 2001, again from UCA, and finished the Dietetic Internship at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in 2002. My first job, as a Clinical Dietitian at Baptist Health, provided a broad base of nutrition knowledge to build on. I treated patients through Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT), with everything from heart disease to cancer, tube feedings to pureed diets, bariatrics to orthopedics, strokes to kidney failure.
From there, I spent over 3 years in a cardiology group, working in Cardiac Rehab, Lipid Clinic, and Diabetes Education, but also did more fun stuff like cooking demos and grocery store tours. This led me back again to Baptist Health, but with the Heart and Kidney Transplant Team. Spending almost 10 years there, my focus was on heart and kidney failure management, dialysis, transplant nutrition, weight management, and, of course, diabetes.
In 2015, I became a Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist after providing diabetes education for over 13 years. In 2018, I completed certification for LEAP therapy (CLT) which identifies food sensitivities and builds an eating plan to lessen symptoms from IBS, migraines, fibromyalgia, and more.
My Lovely Family
At home, I enjoy spending time with my husband of 20+ years, Britt, and son, Alex; playing fetch with my dog, Willie, and cuddling with my 3 cats, Meep, Rudy America, and Conner. I also love to read (romances, don't judge me!), do yoga, and eat good food.
My Personal Health Journey
I’ve told you a lot about my education and medical experience, but my own health journey is just as important. I have been in your shoes. I’ve felt the frustration of being told I was “fine,” “normal,” and “healthy” despite feeling anything but.
Like many in the Sandwich Generation, I cared for my elderly parents who both had dementia – at the same time – had a baby, worked a stressful job, and tried to be a good wife. After 13 years of chronic stress, losing both parents, and starting a private practice (my dream for 10+ years), my body said: “no more!!”.
I started gaining weight, despite eating right and exercising 4 days a week. No matter how much I slept, I felt tired and fatigued. Brain fog clouded my thoughts and emotions, and I was having difficulty focusing on my work. My swollen joints ached, and severe headaches started happening at least once a week. I was withdrawing from friends and family. Overall, I felt depressed and angry – what was happening to me???
Luckily, I know a dietitian ? that could help me. I found I was severely deficient in iron, protein, and 10 (yes, 10!) other nutrients, including vitamin D, magnesium, zinc, and B12. I had developed a leaky gut, as evidenced by severe gluten intolerance. This caused my body to hate my thyroid, producing antibodies against it and nodules on it. After starting a gluten-free diet, supplements to correct the nutrient deficiencies, and changing to low-intensity exercise, I slowly got better – no more headaches or body aches, no more brain fog – and had more energy and focus.
I have found unmanaged stress to be a major cause of trouble for me. After 4 years in private practice, I was busier than ever and focusing more on my work than myself. I few blood clots in my leg and lungs, and a hospital admission later, my body once again said “uh uh!!”. Again, my body was attacking itself and making its displeasure known. But luckily, I know a dietitian to help me with that. ?
Life happens to all of us. My goal is to help you build a toolbox ready to fix YOU when things get crazy and learn how bad things in life can teach us the most valuable lessons. As Steven Tyler of Aerosmith says in the song, Dream On, “you got to lose to know how to win.”
In health,
Robin
