Once upon a time RDN Marissa Perrotta’s life was centered around people’s outer appearance – the glitter and glamor of fashion. Back then, the Fashion Institute of Technology graduate had an arguably enviable position in the fashion industry that took her to incredible destinations around the world. But when the time came for Marissa to start her family, she soon realized a change was necessary. In her younger years nutrition constantly directed her lifestyle. She struggled with her body image as well as over exercising as a teenager. But motherhood shifted her focus. “I knew I needed to nourish myself more in different ways. While pregnant I did a lot of research into how I could nourish myself and my growing daughter. Nutrition was always something I thought about, but it wasn’t until I became pregnant that I decided this is what I wanted to do, this was the career change I was looking for.”
The journey to change was arduous – working around, being home with her family and attending classes part-time and at night. But she persevered with the support of friends and family. “I was also lucky and fortunate to have a hugely supportive preceptor during my internship Dina Hulbert RD, CDE she has always been my cheerleader and the work she does with her patients in the diabetes field is always inspiring.” Now the Montclair State University graduate and mother of two – a teenager and a preteen is on a quest. “I’m on a mission to help women, girls and teens feel empowered and confident in all stages of their life! In my private practice, I specialize in nutrition for women’s health. Supporting women through infertility and pregnancy, postpartum, perimenopause and menopause. Including hormone balance, PCOS, diabetes and disordered eating. I work with women and families to have a healthy relationship with food with non-diet nutrition and mindfulness.”
Marissa launched her RDN career as a clinician in a long-term care facility. Her transition to private practice began during the pandemic and in 2022 she took the leap of faith and plunged full scale into being an entrepreneur. She is proud owner of Peaceable Nutrition & Wellness located in Wayne, New Jersey. “I moved to an office space that allows me to see clients for nutrition counseling and offer other wellness services like meditation classes, workshops with other practitioners and yoga. I wanted a space that could offer my clients other types of healing modalities and support them beyond nutrition.”
A woman of many talents – a Yoga teacher, Reiki Master and presently preparing to meet the CDCES requirements, Marissa is quick to point out that no two days are the same for her. “Every day is different for me in my private practice. There are days I’m out in the community teaching group nutrition education to preschoolers, girl scouts, teaching nutrition to people in recovery for substance abuse, seeing clients one on one for nutrition counseling, teaching a yoga class at my studio, leading a sound bath meditation class, or a private reiki session. Every day is different and that’s what I love about being in private practice.” Amidst all of that, in addition to offering free workshops in the community, Marissa served the NJAND in the capacity of Web Chair for the last 4 years. She is also an active member of Dietitians of Integrative and Functional Medicine, DIFM and Integrative Mind Body RD, a division of DIFM.
To balance it all, she confesses that “yoga and meditation are daily practice for me. I love the beach, sewing, I’m always finding ways to be crafty and creative. I love learning about herbal medicine and gardening.”
To those who have a dream of embarking on their own journey of change and may be thinking that the proverbial ship of launching a new career has sailed, Marissa concludes, “don’t ever think it’s too late to make a change, grow, or be a part of something. To be the featured RD for National Nutrition Month is an achievement that I gratefully share with all my family and friends for their support along the way.”
You can follow Marissa on Instagram @peaceablenutrition.wellness
