A little about me: Courtney P

Hi! I’m Courtney Puidk, a registered dietitian with passions for real food, community health, travel, fitness, and hospitality.

I took a Bachelor’s of Science in Clinical Nutrition at the University of Illinois – Chicago then went on to earn my Master’s in Holistic Nutrition at Bastyr University in Seattle. I never wanted to work in the clinical/hospital setting and was drawn to the culinary emphasis in the program at Bastyr, as well as the education on Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM). It was here that I got involved in policy as the Public Policy Chair on the Nutrition Student Council. This led me to Washington, DC for a Public Policy Workshop in 2013 just before graduation. I fell in love with DC and moved there a few months later, rotating through various internships in the food/nutrition policy world before beginning my dietetic internship (which I completed through Lenoir Rhyne University as a distance student living in DC).

I sat for my exam in August of 2015 and passed with flying colors 🙂

Now, that’s a lot of school! I paid my bills by bartending/waitressing, and working at gyms. First in customer service at the front desk; then, I caught the ‘group exercise’ bug and went after certifications in both Pilates and cycling. I am a Stott Pilates instructor trained to teach on all of the equipment, which is quite an endeavor… I’ve always worked hard.

Other passions and interests include public health/policy, cycling, cooking (which I personally believe should go without saying if you’re a dietitian), sustainability/the environment, travel, and writing.

So here’s how I’m going to start making all my interests come together… writing about all of the above and highlighting travel when I am able!

My professional volunteer positions include sitting as the Policy and Advocacy Leader for the Hunger and Environmental Nutrition Dietetic Practice Group (HEN DPG, through the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics); and a member of the Legislative and Public Policy Committee (LPPC) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, and the DC Mayor’s Council for Physical Fitness, Health and Nutrition.

You can find my resume and available services (including telehealth nutrition counseling) on my website, www.courtneypuidk.com