Elizabeth Gutierrez, MS, RD, LDN

Getting to Know: Elizabeth Gutierrez, MS, RD, LDN

Liz is an up-and-coming RDN who’s involvement with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics has resulted in awards and kudos from her colleagues. I enjoyed interviewing her as she shares her philosophy and career goals. 

Carol: I met you through involvement with NEP DPG. Why did you decide to get involved on a volunteer level with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics? 

Liz: I became involved with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics back when I first started my educational career to become a dietitian. At that time, our program director, Justine Karduck, discussed the opportunities available at the Academy, including DPGs and MIGs. As a student who was transferring into my program, I really wanted to build my experience. Fast forward, I still stay involved with the dietetic practice groups and member interest groups because I find value in networking with people across the nation who are shaping the field of nutrition and dietetics from various sectors. Currently, I serve as the Diversity Leader for the Nutrition Education for the Public DPG (NEPDPG), and I am looking forward to moving into the House of Delegates role for NEPDPG, which blends my love for strategic thinking with emerging issues that will influence the profession!

CS: Tell us about your current position as Deputy Director of the Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus Foundation

LG: I currently work as the Deputy Director for the Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus Foundation (ILLCF) and have been with the organization for nearly 4 years. After I received my Master's in Nutritional Sciences in 2022, I wanted to gain more hands-on experience in the policy space to take into a future career in nutrition policy. Through the postgraduate fellowship program, I secured a position with the ILLCF. The mission of the ILLCF is to foster the next generation of Latino leadership while advocating for the community's needs. Our core programs focus on policy, our leadership development program and scholarship, and roundtable discussions with various sectors to better understand the barriers and opportunities for policies that can positively impact the Latino community in Illinois. This role has really provided me with invaluable experience in the non-profit sector, the policy landscape, and the overall operational management of an organization. 

CS: Your website has a section called “ Nutrition 4 the Average Joe” which talks about your nutrition philosophy. Conversation around food and health is constantly evolving. Has your philosophy evolved as well?

LG: Nutrition 4 the Average Joe was created from my experience with a lack of nutrition education before I had even decided to become a dietitian. I created and used Nutrition 4 the Average Joe to provide accessible nutrition education and to document my career as a registered dietitian. My philosophy at its core is still the same. Nutrition education and the resources to live a healthy life should not be a privilege and should be accessible to all. Nutrition misinformation and disinformation are rampant (even more than when I started the page), and it truly misleads so many people who honestly just want to do the best they can with what they have access to. More recently, I co-founded a nutrition education business, Small Habits Matter PLLC, to bridge that gap in communities across Chicago. We partner with various organizations and businesses to provide their communities with accessible nutrition education focused on habit formation. Through this work, I hope to bring that nutrition philosophy to life and show people that health and good nutrition can be accessible to them, and we can find ways to implement better nutrition into their lives, no matter what their life looks like (with policy advocacy too, of course)!

CS: Where do you go for evidence-based resources in these times of so much mis and dis-information?

LG: As someone who is on the go and quite busy, I try to stay informed by engaging with reputable health organizations such as the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the American Heart Association, and the American Diabetes Association, as well as academic journals such as Nutrients, Endo, SNEB, and JAMA. I particularly love the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics' new Nutrition Fact Check Initiative, which makes it easier for dietitians and consumers to find reputable, evidence-based information on emerging topics such as seed oils, saturated fats, and raw milk. It’s extremely helpful to have the best available evidence summarized in a way that's easy for everyone! 

CS: Who are a couple of your RDN heros?

LG: One of my nutrition heroes is Diana Mesa, RD/LDN, CDCES with En la Mesa Nutrition. I have been following her on Instagram for quite some time, and I love her approach to nutrition that honors culture and respects our bodies. She keeps it real, and I love a dietitian who can provide science while doing so in a way that meets people where they are. Check her out at @enlamesanutrition. 

CS: If money was no object, what would you buy?

LG: If money were no object, I would buy a large greenhouse to grow plants and my vegetable garden. I already have a raised garden bed at my Chicago apartment, but I dream of having much more garden space to grow fresh produce. Last year was my first year growing in Chicago, and we had success with cucumbers, tomatoes, lettuce, basil, and poblano peppers.

CS: What foods will we always find in your kitchen?

LG: I am a creature of habit and thrive on having a meal plan for the week. While I don’t meal prep, I typically have all the ingredients to make delicious home-cooked meals. That being said, I always try to make sure we have cheese in our fridge- every recipe tastes a little better with cheese.