Meet Karen Collins | Registered Dietitian Nutritionist – Taking Nutrition from Daunting to Doable™

We had the good fortune of connecting with Karen Collins and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Karen, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
My focus on translating nutrition research across the pathway from accurately interpreting results to placing them in context of overall research and then prioritizing practical action steps according to that evidence. My trademarked tagline is, “Taking Nutrition from Daunting to Doable™.” While my consulting practice as a registered dietitian nutritionist involves a wide variety of projects, that tagline phrase pretty much sums up the combination of accuracy and pragmatism in the way I work and why people turn to me. And it’s the foundation of the approach I take in the dietitians-only membership program I created.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I believe that when you turn nutrition from daunting to doable, you can transform people’s lives. That belief is the consistent thread that has run through the projects I have undertaken as a dietitian in private practice and consultant. It’s what gives my work meaning to me, and it’s something I rely on to help me decide about projects I choose to take on. My graduate school training at Cornell University was heavily focused on the importance of sound science and good research as the underpinning of nutrition recommendations.

Amidst a full workday, it was really challenging to make time to carefully read all the nutrition research I wanted to. Yet I needed to know that I was current with the science to feel confident that I was performing at my best. I kept working at it, and gradually, following the research became less overwhelming. Now, I love speaking and writing in professional forums, breaking down complexities of the research, and translating it into concrete action steps. And I was deeply honored in 2019 when the American Institute for Cancer Research presented me with its Distinguished Service Award, citing my expertise in translating nutrition research into empowering, evidence-based messages.

The more I was able to appreciate this journey through my career, the more I found focus in what I wanted to do. I realized that these struggles are faced by all dietitians who want to practice at the top of their game. Registered dietitian nutritionists have training in the science of nutrition that far exceeds that of other health professionals, and they have the knowledge to translate research for their patients and clients. But there’s only so much time in anyone’s day. And the amount of inaccurate and biased nutrition information that bombards everyone today makes that task harder.

Now I consider it a privilege to help my dietitian colleagues, other health professionals, and the public conquer “nutrition overwhelm.” Recognizing how the struggles and learning on my journey reflected the challenges dietitians face today is what prompted me to take the big leap of creating a dietitians-only membership program focused on cutting through today’s nutrition information overload and growing skills in accurately translating the science of nutrition into doable action steps.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I live in a small lakeside community in western New York State. This offers lots of opportunities for time in beautiful outdoor spaces. Depending on the season, this could mean time to go cross-country or downhill skiing in winter; or hiking and kayaking in summer. I love entertaining at home, so a visit would likely involve good meals, conversations by the fireplace or campfire, deep conversations over a relaxing cup of coffee, and perhaps some board games. But because we live in an area with many celebrated spots, we could also make time to go to Niagara Falls, tour famous historic homes, or explore a museum that matched everyone’s interests.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
It doesn’t only take a village to raise a child. I see the village of people around me throughout life as being essential ingredients to my being able to craft the career I find so incredibly rewarding. My #1 shoutout goes to my husband, who through decades of marriage has supported my decisions to take a chance on new opportunities, encouraged me in times of doubt, and celebrated my successes. My sons, now grown, have always meant everything to me. The importance of my relationships with them has helped me keep perspective on what’s really most important to me in life. Finally, throughout my career I count myself fortunate indeed to have treasured dietitian colleagues who have always supported me when I set the bar high for myself and cheered me on as I aimed to reach my goals.

Website: https://karencollinsnutrition.com/

Instagram: @KarenCollinsNutrition

Linkedin: @KarenCollinsRD

Facebook: @KarenCollinsNutrition