What attracted you to the field of nutrition and dietetics? I was unhealthy and overweight as a child and as I grew up I started having health issues. In highs school I started to watch the foods I ate and began exercising. I saw positive changes in my body and my energy started to increase, so when I entered college I decided to take a nutrition class. After my first class learning how food could be the new medicine I was hooked!

Your Job Title? Corporate Wellness Dietitian (Nutrition Specialist)

Company you are with now? Guckenheimer

Social Media:
– Instagram: @daniellesnutrition

Describe a typical (or not so typical) day-in-the-work-life for you? My workday starts in my home office each morning checking emails, gathering handouts, create recipes and display materials. My job is 80% travel throughout the Southern California area to each company that houses one of our cafes. I never have the same day twice! When I arrive at the company, breakfast has just finished and prep begins for lunch service. I immediately head into the café to talk with management and staff to go over the menu for the day, sanitation aspects and any special events. I demo and sample recipes during each lunch and learn focusing on a specific topic (hydration, fueling performance, sugar savings, plant-based foods…etc). I’m on site to answer any questions the clients may have regarding almost anything. The most interesting question I ever got was from a gentleman about his pet tortious! He asked what he should be feeding him since he hasn’t been eating lately. Luckily, I had a pet tortious as well so I had lots of ideas about greens and flowers but it was an odd ball question! Depending on the day I also do health fairs as well.

Guckenheimer believes corporate dining creates the ultimate opportunity for employee engagement and it starts by enjoying what they eat. Each cafe has been carefully designed to offer well-balanced meals, enlists sustainable food and waste practices, cooking demos, catering, nutrition information, along with lunch and learns utilizing Registered Dietitians like me!

How did you get your current job in dietetics? I got super lucky to find this job. I wanted to find a place to work where I could help people live a balanced life. I saw this position for a Nutrition Dietitian Specialist on Linkedln (I had been looking into this company before I even became an RD). I applied and figured my application got lost in the piles. However, 5 months later I got a call saying their company was growing and needed a Dietitian in the SoCal area. I couldn’t believe it. That just shows that you never know when you’ll get that job call.

What skills were you born with and what skills have you learned along the way? I was born with the ability to get my 10,000 words in before the afternoon hits. I love to learn new things and techniques, which helps enhance my knowledge as a Dietitian. Being organized is key when traveling to different companies all over Southern California. I have learned so many skills along my journey from customer service to building websites to breaking down a whole fish to experiment for cooking and recipe development. 

What advice do you have for others wanting to be just as successful and fulfilled as you? Never give up no matter what people tell you or what circumstances you may be going through. Just say YES even if you may not know exactly what to do, but you’ll figure it out as you go. We are the nutrition experts! Surround yourself with positive and nurturing people to help push your limits!

If you could be paid for your job with something other than a paycheck, what would it be? VITAMIX, SLOW PRESSED JUICER, WAFFLE MAKER and this list could go on forever! I would love kitchen gadgets, cookware and supplies! My cabinets may be over flowing but you can never have enough kitchen tools, especially when it’s my favorite part of the house.

Sarah Koszyk is founder of Family. Food. Fiesta. A family-based wellness program and blog focusing on recipes, family health tips, and videos with kids cooking in the kitchen. She is a Registered Dietitian and Nutrition Coach specializing in sports nutrition and adult and pediatric weight management. Connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, or LinkedIn.