03/11/2026
Happy Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) Day!
Every second Wednesday of March, RDN Day is observed by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics to raise awareness and appreciation for the expertise and impact of RDNs in advancing public health and wellbeing.
Today, we’re recognizing CNHI's Senior Research Associate Daniele Vest and Research Scientist Dr. Eliza Short.
When asked about why she chose to pursue her RDN, Daniele said:
"I’ve always known I wanted to be in the health field but wasn’t sure where I best fit until learning about dietetics for a school assignment. I hadn’t been exposed to much information about nutrition prior to then and coupled with my own interest in eating better to feel better, I was drawn to the field. As I learned more about health disparities and systemic injustices, I realized how interconnected diet is with culture, policy, environment, socioeconomic status, and more. Leaning into public health and becoming a dietitian allowed me to get the best of both worlds through broad knowledge of the systems at play and specific expertise in nutrition and emphasized the importance of translating health information into usable education. This aligns with my belief that access to quality food is a basic human right and everyone deserves to be fueled by food that supports their overall health."
Eliza responded to the same question. She stated:
I grew up surrounded by nutrition—my mom is an RDN, and in middle school I found myself drawn to the nutrition newsletters she’d spend time reading. Reading them myself sparked an early curiosity about food in all its dimensions: how we prepare it, how we enjoy it, and the complex ways it shapes our health. Later, working as an RDN myself, I met many patients facing real challenges accessing nutritious foods. Seeing how structural and social factors influenced their well‑being pushed me to think beyond individual counseling. That experience ultimately inspired me to return to school and pursue public health nutrition research, where I could explore solutions on a broader, more systemic level.”
For the fun of it, we also asked both RDNs about their favorite produce.
Daniele said:
"My favorite fruit is pineapple and my favorite veggie is broccoli. These are two things I always asked for as a kid and now I can appreciate the many ways they can each be prepared and incorporated into yummy food and drinks."
Eliza said:
"I’d say grapefruit is my favorite fruit—a mix of sweet and tart citrus all in one."
Many thanks to Daniele, Eliza, and other RDNs, for their constant commitment to public health and nutrition!
