Ashanti Baker, RDN

Ashanti Baker, RDN is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive care. As a partner in preventive health featured on weprevent.org, she practices at the University of Florida College of Medicine in Gainesville, FL, and is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine, practicing under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice). She is committed to providing personalized, evidence-based medical nutrition therapy and wellness counseling, creating a supportive environment where patients are empowered to take an active role in their long-term health.

Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) are your primary partners in preventive care, collaboratively creating personalized long-term health plans, coordinating essential screenings, and providing expert medical nutrition therapy and wellness counseling to empower you to achieve and maintain optimal well-being. Dr. Ashanti RDN serves individuals of all ages seeking proactive health management and nutritional guidance. She is a dietitian in Gainesville, FL, and is passionate about helping you understand and implement strategies for a healthier lifestyle. Please call (352) 548-6000 to confirm if she is currently accepting new patients. Dr. Ashanti RDN provides consultations primarily in English.

A key part of the WePrevent mission is building your personalized prevention roadmap. Dr. Ashanti RDN is a vital partner in this journey, focusing on proactive strategies to protect and enhance your long-term health.

By working together, you and Dr. Ashanti RDN can create a clear, actionable plan to address your unique risk factors and health goals.

A proactive approach to health involves understanding and managing potential risks. Dr. Ashanti RDN provides expert care for a range of conditions, focusing on early detection and effective management to support your long-term wellness. Common areas of focus include:

• Liver Damage from Alcohol: Protecting your liver from alcohol-related damage starts with understanding your limits and making informed choices about alcohol consumption to prevent long-term health problems.
• Morbid Obesity: Addressing morbid obesity through careful dietary planning and lifestyle modifications is essential for preventing or slowing down the progression of related chronic diseases and improving long-term health.
• Cholecystitis and Gallstones: Maintaining a healthy weight and diet can significantly reduce your risk of developing gallstones and cholecystitis, preventing painful attacks and potential complications.
• Cystic Fibrosis: Managing cystic fibrosis through a specialized diet and nutritional therapies helps to reduce lung infections and improve overall health and quality of life, thereby preventing long-term complications.
• Asthma: Identifying asthma risk factors early, and implementing preventative strategies like dietary modifications and allergen avoidance, can significantly reduce the severity and frequency of symptoms.
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Inflammatory bowel disease can be better managed through proactive steps such as regular check-ups and adhering to a personalized dietary plan to prevent flare-ups and maintain overall health.
• Mineral Metabolism Disorders: Early detection of mineral imbalances can significantly reduce your risk of developing chronic diseases linked to improper mineral metabolism, highlighting the importance of preventive healthcare.

This list highlights some common health concerns and is for informational purposes only. The best way to understand your personal health and create a prevention plan is to schedule a consultation. Accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment plans are developed based on individual patient evaluations.

Taking proactive steps is central to long-term health. Dr. Ashanti RDN offers a range of key preventive screenings and services designed to provide crucial insights into your health and support your well-being:

• Metabolic Rate Testing: Metabolic rate testing helps personalize your diet and exercise plan, preventing future health problems related to metabolism.
• Medical Nutrition Therapy: Take charge of your health with MNT: a personalized dietary plan designed to address your specific health needs and prevent future complications.
• Gastric Banding: Considering gastric banding is a significant step towards controlling your weight and mitigating the long-term health risks linked to obesity.
• Disease Prevention: Invest in your long-term well-being with a registered dietitian's guidance on creating a diet that minimizes your chances of developing chronic conditions.
• Wellness Examination: Ensure you're on the path to optimal health with a wellness examination; it's a key step in identifying potential problems and implementing preventive strategies.
• Diabetic Foot Exam: A diabetic foot exam is a proactive check-up to detect early signs of nerve damage and poor circulation in your feet, helping prevent serious complications like infections or amputation.
• Weight Maintenance: Maintaining a stable weight is crucial for preventing weight-related health complications and ensuring long-term health, preventing chronic diseases down the road.

Service availability can change, and not all services listed may be appropriate for every patient. For a comprehensive understanding of all available services and to create your personalized screening plan, please schedule a consultation.

All medical services are provided in accordance with the standard scope of practice for Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) in Florida.

Dr. Ashanti RDN is dedicated to partnering with Caregivers/Support Systems to achieve their unique health objectives. The following examples illustrate how a proactive approach can make a tangible difference in a Client's life:

• By understanding their alcohol limits and making mindful choices, a patient significantly reduced their risk of liver damage, gaining peace of mind about their long-term health.
• By creating a personalized dietary plan and incorporating regular exercise, a patient significantly reduced their risk factors associated with morbid obesity, boosting their overall well-being and improving their quality of life.

These scenarios are illustrative examples of positive health outcomes. Individual results may vary and depend on many factors specific to each patient. She will work with you to define and achieve your personal health goals.

Here are answers to some common questions about proactive Registered Dietitian Nutritionist care with Dr. Ashanti RDN:

What is the difference between a Registered Dietitian (RD) and a nutritionist?

A Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) is a credentialed healthcare professional with extensive education and supervised practice experience. Unlike the term "nutritionist," which is not regulated, an RDN provides evidence-based, reliable nutrition advice.

What can I expect during my first visit with Dr. Ashanti RDN?

Your first visit with Dr. Ashanti RDN will be a comprehensive assessment, involving a detailed review of your health history, eating habits, lifestyle, and personal health goals. This is the first step in creating a realistic and sustainable personalized nutrition plan tailored to your unique needs.

How can nutrition help lower my high cholesterol and blood pressure?

Nutrition plays a crucial role in managing high cholesterol and blood pressure. Dr. Ashanti RDN can create a personalized plan emphasizing fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins, while educating you on reducing sodium and unhealthy fats. This natural approach is an effective way to prevent heart attack and stroke.

Do you work with patients who have eating disorders?

Yes, Dr. Ashanti RDN works collaboratively with therapists and doctors to help patients heal their relationship with food, establish regular eating patterns, and achieve nutritional rehabilitation in a supportive, non-judgmental way.

I'm an athlete. How can you help me with sports performance?

Dr. Ashanti RDN can help athletes optimize performance by developing a personalized nutrition plan. This plan will fuel workouts, aid in recovery, build muscle, and ensure proper hydration for peak athletic achievement. She can help you achieve your specific sports nutrition goals.

I have chronic kidney disease. How important is my diet?

Diet is a primary treatment for chronic kidney disease. A specialized renal diet, guided by Dr. Ashanti RDN, is crucial for preserving kidney function and potentially delaying dialysis by controlling protein, sodium, and potassium levels.

My child is a picky eater. Can you help?

Dr. Ashanti RDN works with families to address picky eating in children. She can provide strategies to expand your child's palate, ensure they are getting the nutrients they need for growth, and reduce mealtime stress for everyone.

How can you help a patient undergoing cancer treatment?

Dr. Ashanti RDN can support patients undergoing cancer treatment by managing treatment side effects like nausea and appetite loss, preventing weight loss, and maintaining strength. This helps patients better tolerate their treatments.

University of Florida College of ME
1601 SW Archer Rd
Gainesville FL 32608
Phone: (352) 548-6000

Ashanti Baker, RDN is regulated by the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice) in Florida and is licensed by The Florida Board of Medicine.

National Provider Identifier (NPI): 1376015651

Registration can typically be verified through The Florida Board of Medicine website or by direct inquiry.

The information on this profile, provided by weprevent.org, is for general informational purposes and to help you connect with preventive health partners. It does not constitute direct medical advice from the physician named. Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) like Dr. Ashanti RDN are skilled in helping patients create proactive health plans. For urgent or life-threatening emergencies, please call 911 or visit the nearest emergency department. It is always recommended to maintain open communication with your registered dietitian nutritionist (rdn) about all aspects of your health and your personalized prevention plan.