Maria Pelegrina, RD

Maria Pelegrina, RD is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive care at her clinic in Tampa, FL. Registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practicing under Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice), she is a crucial partner in preventive health, specializing in personalized long-term health plans. She understands that 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. She serves individuals of all ages seeking proactive health management and nutritional guidance.

Dr. Maria RD's practice focuses on 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 Tampa, FL, she is committed to helping you understand your body's unique needs and develop sustainable strategies for a healthier, more fulfilling life. Please call (813) 307-8015 to confirm if she is currently accepting new patients. Dr. Maria RD provides consultations primarily in English.

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

• Cholelithiasis: Understanding your family history and personal risk factors for cholelithiasis enables proactive lifestyle choices and medical interventions to prevent the formation of gallstones.
• Nutritional Deficiency: Regular blood work and dietary counseling can proactively identify and correct nutritional deficiencies, reducing your chances of developing debilitating long-term health problems.
• Colitis: Colitis, an inflammation of the colon, can be managed through a healthy diet and lifestyle to reduce its severity and prevent long-term complications.
• Nutritional Diseases: Nutritional diseases, like heart disease or type 2 diabetes, often develop silently, highlighting the importance of regular checkups and healthy lifestyle choices to catch them early and prevent serious health problems.
• Digestive Disorders: A healthy gut is crucial for overall wellness. Preventive strategies, like consuming a fiber-rich diet and managing stress, can help maintain digestive health and reduce the risk of disorders.
• Gastroparesis: Early diagnosis and management of gastroparesis through dietary modifications and lifestyle changes can help avoid malnutrition and other health issues associated with this condition.
• Weight Cycling: Yo-yo dieting, a form of weight cycling, disrupts your metabolism and can make it harder to lose weight and keep it off in the future, so prioritizing sustainable lifestyle changes is key for preventive 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. Maria RD offers a range of key preventive screenings and services designed to provide crucial insights into your health and support your well-being:

• Pain Management: We can explore whether specific foods or dietary patterns might be exacerbating your pain, and create a personalized plan to reduce symptoms.
• Wellness Examination: Proactively protect your well-being with a wellness examination, which can help detect subtle indicators of disease and allow for lifestyle modifications to improve your health.
• Diabetes Prevention: Proactively protect yourself from diabetes with a comprehensive assessment of your eating habits and a tailored plan to improve your blood sugar control.
• Cholesterol Screening: A cholesterol screening is a simple blood test that helps identify high cholesterol levels, allowing you to take proactive steps to reduce your risk of heart disease.
• Obesity Counseling: Begin your journey to a healthier lifestyle by getting personalized support to create sustainable eating habits and achieve a healthy weight.
• Health Screening: Take control of your health with regular screenings; they're designed to find problems before you even notice symptoms.
• Body Fat Analysis: Proactively protect your health by understanding your body fat percentage; this analysis helps guide personalized nutrition plans to improve your health outcomes.

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. Maria 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 understanding their family history and personal risk factors for gallstones, a family proactively implemented lifestyle changes, reducing their risk and gaining peace of mind about their health.
• By proactively addressing potential nutritional deficiencies through regular blood work and dietary counseling, a patient was able to maintain optimal health and reduce the risk of future health concerns. This peace of mind allowed them to focus on their overall well-being.

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. Maria 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. Unlike the term "nutritionist," which is not regulated, an RD provides evidence-based, reliable nutrition advice. This ensures patients receive the most accurate and effective recommendations.

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

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

I have a food allergy or sensitivity. How can a dietitian assist?

Dr. Maria can help identify hidden sources of allergens in foods, plan a balanced and varied diet that avoids the trigger food, and ensure you are still getting all the necessary nutrients.

Do you work with patients who have eating disorders?

Yes, RDs are a vital part of the eating disorder treatment team. Dr. Maria RD works collaboratively with therapists and physicians to help patients heal their relationship with food, establish regular eating patterns, and achieve nutritional rehabilitation in a supportive, non-judgmental way.

My child is a picky eater. Can you help?

Yes, registered dietitians work with families to address picky eating in children. Dr. Maria RD can offer strategies to expand your child's palate, ensure they are meeting their nutrient needs for growth, and help reduce mealtime stress for the whole family.

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

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

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

Dr. Maria 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.

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

Dr. Maria RD can act as a "food detective," helping identify foods that trigger your IBS and other digestive issues. She can guide you through strategies like a low FODMAP diet to significantly reduce symptoms like bloating, gas, and discomfort, ultimately improving your quality of life.

2313 E 28th Ave
Tampa FL 33605
Phone: (813) 307-8015

Maria Pelegrina, 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): 1255494837

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. Maria 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.