Find a Top Dietitian Near Me in Elizabeth, NJ – Book an Appointment Instantly

Francesca Alfano, MS, CDN, CNS, IFNCP is a board-certified functional medicine Dietitian-Nutritionist. She holds a master's degree in Nutrition and Integrative Health, is a Certified Nutrition Specialist®, and has received advanced training in functional nutrition from the Integrative and Functional Nutrition Academy.

Francesca helps women who are struggling to lose weight implement simple, sustainable food and lifestyle habits so they can support a healthy metabolism, balance hormones, increase energy levels, improve fertility, and permanently lose weight without counting calories or following restrictive diets.

Unlike traditional diets, Francesca uses an individualized functional medicine and culinary nutrition approach to help each client build lifelong healthy habits so they can confidently nourish their bodies in a delicious and satisfying way.

In her career, Francesca has helped thousands of clients reach their goals and adopt healthy eating habits leading to long-term weight loss and improved health outcomes. Francesca has been featured in Well + Good, Shape, Women’s Health, and SportsIllustrated, among others.

CREDENTIALS

Certifications and Professional Organizations
CertifiedNutrition Specialist (CNS)
Certified Dietitian Nutritionist ( CDN) -NY and CT
Integrative and Functional Nutrition Certified
Practitioner (IFNCP)
CertifiedHolisticHealth Coach
Member of the American Nutrition Association
Member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
Member of the Institute of Functional Medicine

Robin Barrie Kaiden, MS, RD, CDN is renowned for helping people of all ages embrace a healthier lifestyle through nutrition and fitness counseling. As a Licensed Registered Dietitian and Personal Trainer for over 20 years, her smart and sensible approach to pre/post-natal nutrition, pediatrics, weight loss, sports nutrition, allergies, cardiovascular health, and other areas of clinical and lifestyle nutrition has resonated with hundreds of people across the United States. In addition to her private Manhattan- and Westport-based practices for adults, children and families, she maintains a national presence as a blogger, columnist, guest speaker, and consultant. A recognized expert on healthy eating, Robin is a trusted resource for print, television, and online media. She appears regularly in various news, lifestyle, and entertainment stories for CBS, NBC, ABC, Parenting, Golf Fitness, Forbes.com, and has been featured in other media outlets such as Vogue and the New York Post. Robin received her B.S. and M.S. degrees in Nutrition and Exercise Science from Cornell and Columbia Universities. She currently lives in Westport, CT with her husband and two sons.

Elle Bernardo is Health Meets Wellness’ Registered Dietitian, and has been working in chronic disease and weight management counseling for most of her career. With seven years of experience in the field, she is committed to helping individuals achieve their health and wellness goals through personalized nutrition guidance. 

She has supported clients facing various medical conditions, including cardiovascular diseases, autoimmune conditions, eating disorders, and hormonal imbalances. Her counseling style is supportive, approachable, and non-judgmental while empowering her clients to integrate nutrition and wellness practices into their daily lives.

Bernardo completed her Dietetic Internship at Rutgers School of Health Related Professions. During this time, she gained valuable experience in providing Medical Nutrition Therapies for a wide range of illnesses and diagnoses under careful supervision. She has a Master of Science in Human Nutrition and Functional Medicine at the University of Western States. 

Maria Patruno is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Certified Dietitian Nutritionist and Certified Diabetes Care & Education Specialist. She received her BA from Queens College of the City University of New York in Family, Nutrition and Exercise Science.  She went on to complete her American Dietetic Association Internship at University Hospital and Medical Center at Stony Brook.  She received her credentials as a Registered Dietitian-Nutritionist in 1997 and as a Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist in 2003. 

Prior to joining the clinical team at Endocrine Associates of West Village, Ms. Patruno has worked with various private medical practices as well as at the NY-Presbyterian Queens Hospital. 

She currently works with the clinical team at Endocrine Associates of West Village providing direct patient care and developing diabetes education programs as the Director of Diabetes Education. 

Deanna is a Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Care Education Specialist based in Long Island, NY. Her background as a dancer allowed her to witness the challenge her loved ones confronted in their battles with eating disorders and body image issues. This experience sparked a deep-seated purpose within her — to use the power of nutrition to heal lives and transform people's connections with food.

Deanna holds a BA in Psychology from the University at Buffalo and a BS in Nutrition and Dietetics with a minor in Chemistry from Buffalo State College. She completed her dietetic internship and earned an MS in Clinical Nutrition from the University at Buffalo. In addition to her nutrition expertise, Deanna is a certified yoga teacher, integrating mindfulness and coping strategies into her teachings to promote mental, physical, and spiritual well-being.

Deanna's mission is to support individuals in preventing, managing, and addressing chronic health conditions. Through practical skills, tools, and education, she empowers others to embrace a holistic and healthy lifestyle. Her approach emphasizes a non-diet standpoint, focusing on achieving balance across all aspects of life.

Camille is a Registered Dietitian with her Master’s Degree in Nutrition and Exercise Physiology from Teachers College, Columbia University. She completed her dietetic internship at Teachers College, during which she gained clinical and private practice experience. She worked with a variety of patients and clients including women in their pre and postnatal life stages, collegiate athletes, teenagers suffering from eating disorders, and individuals with comorbidities such as diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. In her previous life, Camille completed her undergraduate studies in Finance and worked in corporate finance at General Electric for 4 years, before following her true passion for nutrition.

Camille believes in the power of lifestyle changes to optimize health, not only to treat conditions but also to reduce risk factors. Camille counsels from a food-first, diet-free and holistic approach. She will work with you to understand your background, health goals, and overall lifestyle to then personalize recommendations. 

Maryrose is a graduate of Rutgers University and completed her dietetic internship at the University of Medicine & Dentistry (now part of Rutgers University). She was trained at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital and Jersey Shore Medical Center. In addition, she has completed Level 1 & 2 of the Certificate of Training in Adult Weight Management and Certificate in Training in Health and Wellness Coaching and Integrative and Functional Nutrition from the Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics. She is an active member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the New Jersey Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Maryrose is a board member of Feeding Middlesex County. Food insecurity is prevalent in our community. As a dietitian, Maryrose knows that access to healthy foods helps to build healthy lives and healthy communities. She believes that being part of the board will help to make a positive impact in our community.

Her passion for nutrition is based on her clients’ success. Maryrose loves to empower individuals so that their futures can be healthy. When it is time to relax, Maryrose loves spending time with family and friends, traveling, fiddling with her watercolor paints, and interior decorating.

Donna is a Registered Dietitian with over 25 years of experience in the field of food and nutrition. She received her Master of Science degree in Clinical Nutrition from Rutger’s University, School of Health Professions, where she graduated summa cum laude and was awarded the “Certificate of Academic Excellence.” Since then she has spent many years in the clinical setting working in hospitals, dialysis centers, and outpatient clinics, and now brings her knowledge and expertise to the patients at Dr. Ponti’s practice.

Originally from Staten Island, NY, Donna made the short leap over to Middletown, New Jersey in 2006 with her husband and two children. “Living in a rural community, farms, and orchards, has been a constant source of healthy eating inspiration.”

Donna spent many years actively involved in bringing nutrition education to young children and families in the community. She helped build gardens and created nutrition education programs for elementary school children in order to bring awareness to how food is grown, where it comes from, and how vital a role it plays in the development of healthy eating habits.

Donna is also an award-winning food blogger and photographer.
Her healthy eating approach involves teaching patients how to listen and trust their body rather than focus on unnecessary restrictions and dieting which often lead to more weight gain, poor self-esteem and are not sustainable. In addition, she says, “misinformation about nutrition and food is so rampant right now because of social media.”

Her goal is to help clear up that misinformation and provide patients with evidence-based recommendations so that they can make the most informed and educated decisions about their health. 

Registered Dietitian Nutritionist

Undergraduate: University of Delaware, Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics, Concentration in Health and Exercise
Graduate: College of Saint Elizabeth, Master of Science in Nutrition

Elisa has experience in a variety of settings with clinical specialties in oncology, weight management, cardiovascular disease and diabetes management. Through Medical Nutrition Therapy paired with motivational interviewing techniques, Elisa has helped individuals sustain positive behavior changes to create a healthy relationship with food for optimal health.