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About VidaEats
Our Story
Alana, VidaEats founder, worked in a dialysis center for several years and saw first hand the hardships patients on dialysis experienced. The current role of medical nutrition therapy in kidney disease management is an afterthought and nutrition resources are difficult for patients to obtain. Partnering with co-founder, Luke, they used their common passion for wellness and prevention to create a service that delivers nutrition education directly to the client, eliminating the need for diet guess work. VidaEats was born.
Meet Our Team
The Founder
Alana Benito, MBA, RD, LDN
CEO, Founder
Alana is a Registered Dietitian specializing in renal nutrition and VidaEats' founder and CEO. Previously, she led a team of dietitians at DaVita and managed nutrition care for dialysis patients. She also has experience with payers and providers in the medical sales space. Besides being a practitioner herself, Alana has personal experience with kidney disease which allows her to connect and empathize with clients. Alana lives in St. Petersburg, FL.
Our Dietitians
Claudia Morffi
RD, CSR, LDN
Claudia has been a highly dedicated and self-driven dietitian for the past five years. She specializes in working one-on-one with clients to drive positive behaviors for better clinical outcomes and, together, craft an overall culture of health for the long run. In her free time she likes cooking, hiking and exploring nature, as well as lifting heavy weights!
Other Specialities: Diabetes, Dialysis, Acute Kidney Injury, Congestive Heart Failure, COPD, GI disorders, Heart Disease, Cholesterol Management
Maja (Maya) Halepovic
RD
Maya has been a Registered Dietitian for over 20 years, specializing in chronic disease management. She has been working in the U.S. as a Renal Dietitian, managing patients on dialysis for several years and as a Diabetes Educator while practicing in Canada. Maya prides herself on building strong relationships with her clients and their success in managing chronic kidney disease without dialysis as long as possible. She is passionate in applying a holistic approach to disease management and empowering her clients to make positive changes to their health and well-being.
Other Specialties: Health Coach, Dialysis, Diabetes, Heart Health, High Blood Pressure, Cholesterol Management, Weight Management
Kathryn Murray
RD
Katie has spent the past 3 years working with chronic kidney disease patients through a dialysis center. She is passionate about providing the tools and support needed to help patients manage and prevent chronic illnesses while living a full life. Despite a diagnosis, Katie believes food should be enjoyed and strives to help patients achieve this balance. In her free time, Katie enjoys being active, reading and spending time with her husband, son and golden retriever.
Other Specialities: Diabetes, Oncology, Weight Gain, Dysgeusia
Diane Hodge
MBA, RDN, CSR, CDCES, CLC, LD
Diane is a whole health educator with over 30 years experience. She loves helping people learn how their lifestyle can impact their health and quality of life. She empowers people to make healthful eating a natural and fun part of their lifestyle to improve their physical and mental health. She is Board Certified as a Certified Specialist in Renal Nutrition, Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist and is a Certified Lactation Consultant. She believes that healthy living should be doable, accessible and affordable for everyone!
Other Specialities: Certified in Adult Weight Management, Certified Lifestyle Counselor, Certified Tobacco Cessation Coach, Gut Health (Crohn's disease, IBS), Inflammatory and autoimmune diseases (Lupus, Hashimoto's, etc)
Gabrielle Belcastro
RDN, CSR, LDN, CDCES
Gabrielle has several years experience working with CKD patients and those with ESRD on dialysis. Knowing the toll dialysis takes on the body, she prioritizes being a nutrition resource to people before the transition to ESRD. In addition to being a Registered Dietitian, she holds a culinary degree from Le Cordon Bleu Pittsburgh. She enjoys helping people apply what they learn in nutrition counseling to the kitchen to create healthy, flavorful meals that fit their lifestyles.
Other Specialities: Diabetes, Dialysis
Taylor Raflowitz
RDN, CSR, LDN
Taylor has worked as a dietitian in long term care, acute and intensive care, and renal dialysis patients. He comes from a background of personal training and enjoys helping clients meet nutritional goals for improved health. He believes that moderation is key to reaching goals and implementing small daily changes in habits creates a lifetime of success. Taylor enjoys spending time with his dogs (Arya and Karma) and his wife Jennifer. Taylor also enjoys playing sports such as paintball and basketball with friends.
Other Specialities: Sports Nutrition, Hypertension, Weight Management, Dialysis
Mara Bustos
RDN, MS, LN
Mara has over 22 years experience in nutrition care. She specializes in general and geriatric nutrition. She has experience with wound care nutrition, weight loss, enteral feedings, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and renal nutrition (including dialysis).
Interested in Joining our RD Roster?
RD
Email Info@VidaEats.co to inquire.
We look for compassionate, emphathetic dietitians who use behavioral change therapy counseling techniques.
We focus on being culturally competent and meeting clients where they are. We are NOT the food police.
Must have experience in a speciality and 1-on-1 counseling.
Interested in Joining our RD Roster?
RD
Email Info@VidaEats.co to inquire.
We look for compassionate, emphathetic dietitians who use behavioral change therapy counseling techniques.
We focus on being culturally competent and meeting clients where they are. We are NOT the food police.
Must have experience in a speciality and 1-on-1 counseling.