About
Hi, I'm Cara!
I am the owner of the holistic nutrition consulting company FUEL4U, LLC.
I have proven that “real food” is the key to optimal health and performance and that true health starts in the kitchen. Therefore, I use diet and lifestyle modifications to mitigate and reverse health conditions by addressing the root cause of my clients’ symptoms. I approach nutrition from an integrative, functional perspective and uses nutrition to unlock the body’s potential to heal.
I am a strong believer in self-advocacy, and I aim to inspire and empower my clients to be active participants in their own health care. My nutrition plans and counseling techniques are tailored to meet individual needs, schedules and lifestyles. I work with clients of all ages and sizes, health concerns, athletic goals, and more. I will do everything that I can to help you reach your fullest potential!
I am a licensed Certified Nutrition Specialist, a Board-Certified Holistic Health Practitioner, Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Consultant, CHEK Holistic Lifestyle Coach Level II, and Certified Gluten Practitioner.
M.S.
Clinical Nutrition
Maryland University of Integrative Health
C.N.S.
Clinical Nutrition
Maryland University of Clinical Health
M.B.A.
Master of Business Administration
The George Washington University
B.A.
Bachelor of Arts
Emory University
I am the creator of a nutrition and fitness-oriented board game called Go Paleo!. It is the ideal way to educate kids as well as parents and a must have for every home, schools, and daycare centers. Purchase my board game at David's Natural Market in Columbia, MD, or click below!
Eat Smart. Play Hard. Stay Fit. Go Paleo!
Along with being a practitioner since 2007 and owning my holistic nutrition consulting company, I am the creator of a nutrition and fitness-oriented board game called Go Paleo! which is currently being sold here on this website and at David’s Natural Market, a local health food store located in Columbia, MD. I have written monthly nutrition articles for a local newsletter called Living on the Hill and have also been published in many other publications.
Health and Fitness Focused
I have also worked in the fitness industry for more than 25 years and have competed and placed in aerobics and figure competitions, 10k and 5k races and several triathlons. I even placed first in my age group and 4th overall in the 2013 Diva Dash Obstacle Course Race! I also enjoy lecturing in schools, corporations, health fairs and fitness-oriented stores. Fitness and health are my true passion.
Fitness and health are my true passion.
My Philosophy: My Approach as a Functional Nutritionist
What is functional nutrition?
Integrative and Functional Nutrition Therapy is a leading and evidence-based approach to nutritional care that looks at each patient in a comprehensive and holistic manner to improve their health and overall well-being. This type of nutritional therapy focuses on identifying the root cause of diseases rather than protocols based on a specific diagnosis. In order to address the root causes, the patient must be assessed in a holistic manner which includes assessing their lab work, medical, physical and emotional history, physiology, and lifestyle. As a nutritionist that is trained in integrative and functional nutrition, I am able to perform a critical assessment using a “whole systems” approach that provides a personalized integrated nutrition care plan to restore function and improve outcomes.
The diagram to the right depicts the “whole systems” approach that I utilize. This circular architecture of the Functional Nutrition Radial allows for the evaluation of complex interactions and interrelationships. The Radial depicts diet as a determining factor in health and disease and is a source of biological information that influences, and is influenced by five key areas: lifestyle, systems, core imbalances, metabolic pathways, and biomarkers. Additional factors that can contribute to one’s health are surrounding the radial.
