About Maria

I grew up in Toronto and have called Aurora Ontario home for over 25 years. I've worked as a dietitian for almost 30 years with diverse experience in the world of food and nutrition. My career as a dietitian started at St. John's Rehabilitation Hospital in Toronto, then to HealthVision (as a nutrition technology specialist) just as technology in healthcare was becoming mainstream. I then spent many years at Nestlé Canada in infant and healthcare nutrition and most recently with the Centre for Science in the Public Interest as a nutrition consultant for Nutrition Action Healthletter.

I obtained my Bachelor of Science in Food and Nutrition from the University of Western Ontario and proceeded to complete my practical dietetic internship at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto.

​I'm currently a member of:
- College of Dietitians of Ontario, License #2369
- Dietitians of Canada
- Sports Nutrition Network
- Consulting Dietitians Network
- Diabetes, Obesity and Cardiovascular Network
- Obesity Canada

What is a Registered Dietitian (RD)?

A Registered Dietitian (RD) is a regulated health professional who can provide medical nutrition therapy and advice on food and nutrition to help you live your healthiest life. Recommendations from Registered Dietitians are evidence-based, taking complex science research and translating it to everyday information for you to make healthy food. They can show you how healthy eating can be fun, enjoyable and delicious! 

What is the difference between a dietitian and a nutritionist?
The titles “dietitian” or “Registered Dietitian” are protected by law. This means that only someone who has met specific educational and professional requirements is legally allowed to use these titles, or the initials, RD, P.Dt, and Dt.P. (in French).

All Registered Dietitians in Ontario are members of the College of Dietitians of Ontario (every province has its own college). As a member of the college, a Registered Dietitian must practice according to set standards and laws that protect the public, just like you would expect from doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other health professions.  

The title “nutritionist” (or any name with nutritionist like: registered nutritionist; registered holistic nutritionist; certified holistic nutritionist; natural nutritionist....you get the point!) is not a protected title in Ontario. This means that anybody (even you!) can call themselves a "nutritionist" There is no governing body, no standards for their quality of care, no educational minimum standard, no experience requirements. Some nutritionist may have formal education and training, but some may not.

Here’s the tricky thing – depending on where a Registered Dietitian works, he or she may have a different job title. Dietitians working in community settings, like Public Health, often have a job title that uses “nutritionist”. To know if that person is a Registered Dietitian, look for the initials “RD” or “Registered Dietitian” after their name.
To verify if your nutrition provider is a qualified Registered Dietitian, consult the registry at the College of Dietitians of Ontario    www.collegeofdietitians.org
Information from EatRight Ontario 2017