Nicole Rodriguez, RDN, NASM-CPT

Josie Ortiz, my dietetic intern from California State University, San Bernardino is busy with the internship, but also as a mom with twins! Her future career interests include her own business and outpatient consulting. If you want keen insight on how to be a success is this space, who do you turn to but Nicole Rodriguez, RDN, NASM-CPT!

Josie Ortiz: As a busy consultant, how do you schedule your day to organize your family and business life?  

Nicole Rodriguez: While I rely heavily on my google calendar, it’s the dry erase board and sticky notes that really hold it all together.  I consider myself pretty low-tech in that department and am currently recording my personal training schedule on a goat calendar.  Speaking of actual calendars, the one from Cattle Tales keeps me in the loop of all the major food holidays.

JO: I am a big proponent on eating your veggies and I see that you are a Produce for Better Health Have A Plant® Ambassadors. Can you share how you became involved in being an ambassador and what are two responsibilities of this position?

NR: Being a FVAA (Fruit and Vegetable Ambassador in Action) is a huge honor, especially given the current produce consumption crisis.  Responsibilities vary from month to month, whether it’s creating a reel for IG, partnering on a Facebook cookalong, or putting together a webinar.  Pretty much every time I mention produce on social, I’m including #haveaplant and weaving the messaging into my work with private clients as well.

JO: I enjoyed your blog article, “Are Girl Scout Cookies Healthy?” and loved the recipes! What is your favorite dessert?

NR: This is the question I had to ponder the hardest and longest.  My first job was working in a French pastry shop and I’ve always had a deep appreciation for confections of all kinds.  If we’re taking ice cream out of the equation (because, is it even fair to have it in the conversation?  Gosh I love ice cream), then it might be the assorted baklava from Shatila Bakery in Dearborn, MI.  I highly recommend having a box shipped straight to your door!

JO: I have six-year-old twin girls who love sweets and will rarely eat vegetables. What is your advice on getting them to love and eat more vegetables?

NR: While I don’t work in pediatric nutrition, I do have a little girl around that age and I can tell you what’s worked for us: serving vegetables early and often (both in life and in the actual course of the day), modeling joyful consumption of all forms, and exposing her to as many different cultural preparations as possible.  Yes, I want to raise someone who eats vegetables but more importantly someone who isn’t going to “yuck someone else’s yum” just because it’s unfamiliar.  

JO: Speaking of school lunches, what is your opinion on the school lunches served today? What are some of the challenges and opportunities that parent can get involved with in their school districts? 

NR: The strides being made in school cafeterias are very impressive.  I can understand parents wanting to pack lunch (I do), but what’s on offer in the cafeteria is going to be much more nutrient-dense than what a child could grab on his or her way to school in many areas.  If you have the bandwidth to get involved in your district, identifying yourself as an RD will open the door to opportunities for engaging with both students and staff.  

JO: I am currently a student liaison for the Nutrition Education for the Public (NEP) DPG 2021-2022 year. How did being an immediate past chair of the Nutrition Entrepreneur DPG help you with your career goals as an RDN? 

NR: I think many of us come into this field because of a call to service; it’s the nature of our work.  While I can’t necessarily say that being chair of the NE DPG helped reach any career goals, it fulfilled my desire to serve the profession, and during a challenging year at that.  

JO: What is the most valuable tool in your kitchen?

NR: My Breville countertop oven.  It has both a slow-cook and air-fryer setting and I’m completely obsessed.  I haven’t used my actual oven in over a year!

JO: Who is invited to your dream dinner party and what are you making them?

NR: Jan Gaye, Bobby Womack, Kenny Gamble, Kevin Folta, Marie Curie, Frida Kahlo, and Huma Abedin.  We’re definitely having ribeyes, roasted potatoes, a citrus and fennel salad, and multiple desserts – including my banana pudding.

Nicole Rodriguez, RDN, NASM-CPT is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Certified Personal Trainer, National Academy of Sports Medicine and Immediate Past Chair - NEDPG

Learn more about Nicole:

WEBSITE: enjoyfoodenjoylife.com

IG: notoriously.nicole.rd