Lavetta McCoy, RD

Lavetta McCoy, RD 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 her clinic in Jacksonville, FL, and is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine, practicing under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice). 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. Lavetta RD serves individuals of all ages seeking proactive health management and nutritional guidance. Her approach to care is deeply rooted in collaborative, evidence-based medicine, creating a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health. As a dietitian in Jacksonville, FL, she is committed to helping you understand your nutritional needs and develop lasting habits for optimal well-being. Please call (904) 253-1510 to confirm if she is currently accepting new patients. Dr. Lavetta RD provides consultations primarily in English.

A key part of the WePrevent mission is building your personalized prevention roadmap. Dr. Lavetta RD 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. Lavetta RD 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. Lavetta RD 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:

• Ulcerative Colitis: Early detection and management of ulcerative colitis through a registered dietitian nutritionist's guidance can help prevent nutritional deficiencies and maintain overall well-being.
• Cardiovascular Disease: Cardiovascular disease is a group of heart and blood vessel conditions that can be prevented or managed through a healthy lifestyle, including diet and exercise, to reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke.
• Bulimia: Recognizing the warning signs of bulimia is crucial for timely intervention, as this eating disorder can profoundly affect your physical and mental well-being, underlining the significance of preventative measures.
• Peripheral Vascular Disease (PAD, PVD): By working with a Registered Dietitian to manage conditions like diabetes and obesity, known risk factors for PAD, you can actively prevent or slow the progression of this vascular disease.
• Hypertension: Hypertension often has no symptoms, making regular blood pressure checks vital to protecting your overall health and well-being.
• Morbid Obesity: Preventing the serious health consequences associated with morbid obesity requires a focus on weight management and lifestyle changes to improve overall health and quality of life.
• IBS Associated With Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Working with a registered dietitian to create a tailored nutrition plan is vital in preventing the progression of IBS, particularly if there's an underlying link to IBD, thereby safeguarding your gut health.

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. Lavetta RD offers a range of key preventive screenings and services designed to provide crucial insights into your health and support your well-being:

• Diet Counseling: Proactively manage your health risks through diet counseling, where a registered dietitian will guide you to make food choices that support your specific health goals.
• Food Sensitivity Testing: Screen for food sensitivities that can lead to chronic health problems, enabling you to make informed dietary changes for better health outcomes.
• Wellness and Integrative Medicine: Empower yourself with knowledge and tools to improve your health by consulting a registered dietitian nutritionist who will create a tailored plan based on your individual health status and wellness objectives.
• Point of Care A1C Testing: A simple finger-prick blood test, Point-of-Care A1C testing helps you proactively monitor your blood sugar levels and detect early signs of prediabetes or diabetes, allowing for timely intervention.
• Insulin Pump Therapy: Proactively managing your blood sugar levels with an insulin pump can help prevent long-term complications of diabetes.
• Blood Pressure Management: Through a personalized nutrition plan, let's work together to identify and address dietary factors that contribute to high blood pressure.
• Psychological Evaluations Prior to Bariatric Surgery: Taking a proactive step, psychological evaluations before bariatric surgery identify any mental health concerns that could affect your recovery and the procedure's overall effectiveness.

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. Lavetta RD 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 following a personalized dietary plan guided by a registered dietitian nutritionist, a patient effectively managed their ulcerative colitis symptoms, reducing the risk of future complications and maintaining a positive outlook on their health.
• By following a personalized meal plan and incorporating regular exercise, a patient significantly lowered their risk of cardiovascular disease, gaining confidence in their ability to proactively manage their health. This proactive approach provided peace of mind and a healthier outlook on their future.

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. Lavetta RD:

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

A Registered Dietitian (RD or RDN) is a credentialed healthcare professional with extensive education and supervised practice experience. Unlike the term "nutritionist," which is not regulated, an RD provides evidence-based, reliable nutrition advice. This means you can trust their recommendations are supported by scientific research.

What can I expect during my first visit with Dr. Lavetta RD?

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

Do you work with patients who have eating disorders?

Yes, registered dietitian nutritionists are a critical part of the eating disorder treatment team. Dr. Lavetta RD 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.

How can you help a patient undergoing cancer treatment?

An oncology dietitian, like Dr. Lavetta RD, plays a supportive role during cancer treatment. They can help manage treatment side effects such as nausea and appetite loss, prevent weight loss, and maintain strength, which can help patients better tolerate their treatments.

I have IBS and other digestive issues. How can you help?

Dr. Lavetta can act as a "food detective," helping identify foods that trigger your IBS and other digestive issues. Often, strategies like a low FODMAP diet are used to pinpoint and eliminate these triggers, significantly reducing symptoms like bloating, gas, and discomfort. This can greatly improve your quality of life.

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

A specialized renal diet, guided by Dr. Lavetta RD, is crucial for managing chronic kidney disease. It's a primary treatment, not just supportive care, helping preserve kidney function and potentially delay dialysis by controlling protein, sodium, and potassium levels.

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

Dr. Lavetta RD 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.

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

Nutrition plays a crucial role in managing high cholesterol and blood pressure. Dr. Lavetta RD can create a personalized plan rich in fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins, while teaching you how to reduce sodium and unhealthy fats. This natural approach is an effective way to prevent heart attack and stroke.

5150 Timuquana Rd
Jacksonville FL 32210
Phone: (904) 253-1510

Lavetta McCoy, RD 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): 1497928659

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. Lavetta RD 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.