Meet
Cynthia
Lopez-Pettorino
Registered Dietitian Nutritionist & Certified Diabetes Educator planting the seeds of a healthy lifestyle one recipe at a time.
I'm Cynthia Lopez-Pettorino :)
Born and raised in Upstate New York, you will never hear me say “It’s too cold.” I love exploring the outdoors with my family seeking biking and hiking adventures. Creativity and dance of all kinds hold a close second. And I love animals ... especially my cats Midnight and Playa whom we rescued and raised like children.
As a Certified Diabetes Educator and Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, I teach others how their diet, exercise, medications, and lifestyle play a role in their overall health.
I have provided a variety of community nutritional outreach programs, provided cooking demonstrations for Senior Centers, designed nutritional guidance for cancer survivors, and created motivating 4-week &12-week Weight Loss Challenges for colleagues and communities.
I say to my clients, 'Nutrition education that is not just a piece of paper.' It's a change that can renew your life!
My Experience & Education
Over the past 18 years, I have proudly served as an RDN, CDE in a variety of settings including:
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Diabetes Educator at Holy Name Medical Center
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Outpatient Dietitian at Overlook Medical Center
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Cardiac Surgery & Pediatric Dietitian at Morristown Medical Center
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Clinical Dietitian of Cardiac Surgery & Pediatrics at St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center
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Cardiac Nutritionist at Hackensack Meridian Health
I earned my Dietetics and Diabetes certifications from the School of Health Related Professions at the University of Medicine & Dentistry (now Rutgers School of Health Professions), Montclair State University, University of New York Rockland Community College and University of New York Institute of Technology at Utica/ Rome, NY.
I'm pleased to share with you that I am now a fully-certified Lifestyle Coach by the CDC National Diabetes Prevention Program.
My professional affiliations include memberships with the Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics, the Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics Practice Groups including Diabetes Care & Education, Food & Culinary Professionals, and Nutrition Education for the Public, as well as a member of the American Association of Diabetes Educators.
I am proud to offer families and individuals the opportunity to work with a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist who will cheer you along on your path towards a healthier you through nutrition.
What’s My Philosophy?
Food choices are only one piece of that puzzle we call health. Informed food choices help decrease the risk of certain diseases and even slow down their progression. A Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and Certified Diabetes Educator can help you weave a cohesive “plan of action” based upon your goals, preferences, past medical history, and medications.
I created Teaching Fenix RDN Cafe LLC to create a more "hands-on" and "enjoyable" learning environment for mastering the tools needed for a happier and healthier life. I would love the opportunity to help you create a nutrition plan designed “especially for you as we collaborate to help you reach your goals.”
Perhaps my favorite way to spend time is being creative in all ways, but especially in creating unique recipes that lure you towards health! Cooking allows me to be creative while teaching what kinds of recipes you can dream up for your particular scenario.