Leellen Velasco, RD

Leellen Velasco, RD is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) practicing at LeEllen Velasco, RD in Tallahassee, FL. As a partner in preventive health featured on weprevent.org, she is dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive RDN care. Registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practicing under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice), Dr. Leellen RD is committed to helping individuals of all ages achieve and maintain optimal well-being through personalized, long-term health plans. 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. She is currently welcoming new patients to begin their proactive health journey; please call (850) 279-1374 to schedule.

Dr. Leellen RD holds a Bachelor of Science in Dietetics from Southeast Missouri State University and a Master of Science in Exercise Physiology and Sports Nutrition from Florida State University. Her experience includes working with Olympic-level athletes, particularly in track and field and women's soccer. She is driven by a desire to support high school athletes transitioning to college athletics, focusing on personalized fueling strategies. Dr. Leellen RD emphasizes a balanced approach to nutrition, advocating for small, sustainable changes toward a healthier lifestyle, prioritizing nutrient-dense choices before supplementation. She believes in an "all foods fit" model, recognizing that moderation and balance are key to lasting improvements. Her practice is grounded in a "food first" philosophy, and she's committed to remaining open-minded and adaptable to meet her clients' needs. Dr. Leellen RD provides consultations primarily in English.

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

• Diabetes: Early detection of diabetes is crucial for preventing serious long-term complications, such as heart disease and kidney failure, through proactive medical nutrition therapy.
• High Cholesterol: High cholesterol, often without symptoms, increases your risk of heart disease, making early detection and management through healthy habits crucial for preventing future problems.
• Hypertension: Hypertension often has no symptoms, making regular blood pressure checks vital to protecting your overall health and well-being.
• Kidney Disease: Early detection of kidney disease is crucial, and a registered dietitian nutritionist can help you manage your diet to prevent its progression.
• Weight Loss: Weight management is a key component of preventive healthcare, helping you avoid future health complications and improve your overall well-being.
• Calcium Metabolism Disorders: Proper nutrition and regular check-ups are essential for preventing calcium metabolism disorders and supporting strong, healthy bones throughout your life.
• Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD): By focusing on preventive nutrition strategies, you can often avoid the need for medication and surgery associated with advanced GERD.

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

• Blood Pressure Management: Learn how the foods you eat impact your blood pressure and discover simple dietary changes to maintain healthy levels.
• HCG Diet: The HCG diet may seem appealing for quick weight loss, however, it's important to consider the potential health consequences and prioritize a holistic approach to wellness with a registered dietitian that focuses on balanced nutrition and lifestyle modifications.
• Medical Nutrition Therapy: MNT is a proactive approach to nutrition that can help detect early signs of nutritional deficiencies and optimize your overall health.
• Designed Clinical Nutrition: Invest in your well-being with a customized clinical nutrition plan that helps identify nutritional deficiencies and optimizes your diet for improved health.
• Detailed Stool Analysis: Proactively assess your gut microbiome's health with a detailed stool analysis to identify potential nutritional deficiencies or imbalances impacting your digestion and immunity.
• Geriatric Assessment: Protecting your future health starts with a geriatric assessment. This evaluation helps pinpoint nutritional deficiencies or other problems that may arise with age, promoting better health outcomes.
• Women's Health And Wellness Management: Invest in your well-being with personalized nutrition guidance designed to support your specific health goals and prevent future health concerns.

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. Leellen 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:

• A patient, through a personalized nutrition plan guided by a registered dietitian, successfully reduced their risk factors for developing diabetes, gaining peace of mind and empowering them to proactively manage their health.
• Following a personalized nutrition plan, a patient significantly lowered their cholesterol levels, reducing their risk of heart disease and gaining peace of mind about their future health.

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. Leellen 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 training and supervised practice experience. This differs from a "nutritionist," which is not a regulated title. RDs provide evidence-based, reliable nutrition advice.

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

Your first visit with Dr. Leellen will be a comprehensive assessment, collaboratively creating a personalized nutrition plan. We'll review your health history, eating habits, lifestyle, and personal goals. This is the first step toward developing a realistic and sustainable plan for your nutritional needs.

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

Dr. Leellen RD can help athletes optimize performance by developing a personalized nutrition plan. This plan will fuel workouts, aid in recovery, support muscle building, and ensure proper hydration for peak athletic achievement.

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

Nutrition plays a vital role in heart health. Dr. Leellen RD can create a personalized plan emphasizing fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins, while reducing sodium and unhealthy fats. This natural approach can effectively lower cholesterol and blood pressure, helping prevent heart attack and stroke.

What is Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT)?

Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) is an evidence-based, therapeutic approach using a tailored diet plan to treat medical conditions. A registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) provides this formal process to manage diseases like kidney disease, diabetes, or heart disease. Insurance often covers MNT.

My child is a picky eater. Can you help?

Dietitians work with families to address pediatric nutrition concerns. Dr. Leellen RD can offer strategies to expand your child's palate, ensure they are meeting their nutrient needs for growth, and reduce mealtime stress for the whole family.

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

Dr. Leellen can act as a "food detective," helping identify foods that trigger your IBS and other digestive issues. She may recommend strategies like a low FODMAP diet to reduce symptoms like bloating, gas, and discomfort, improving your overall quality of life.

Can you help with nutrition during pregnancy?

Yes, proper nutrition is essential during pregnancy for both the mother and baby's health. Dr. Leellen RD can provide personalized guidance on key nutrients, healthy weight gain, and managing pregnancy-related issues like gestational diabetes or nausea.

LeEllen Velasco, RD
2350 Phillips Rd
Tallahassee FL 32308
Phone: (850) 279-1374

Leellen Velasco, 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): 1598587628

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. Leellen 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.