Mary Vanderheyden, RD

Mary Vanderheyden, 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 Orlando, 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. She serves individuals of all ages seeking proactive health management and nutritional guidance. Please call (407) 631-1000 to confirm if she is currently accepting new patients.

Dr. Mary RD is a dietitian in Orlando, FL, committed to a collaborative, evidence-based approach to medicine. She fosters a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health, and she emphasizes the importance of personalized nutrition plans. Her practice is focused on preventive care, recognizing that proactively managing health is key to overall well-being. She prioritizes creating a positive patient experience, providing comprehensive care, and is a trusted resource for those seeking nutritional guidance and support. Dr. Mary RD provides consultations primarily in English.

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

• 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.
• Female Infertility: Preventing future health problems associated with infertility, such as gestational diabetes or preeclampsia, starts with proactive nutritional planning.
• End-Stage Renal Disease: While ESRD is a serious condition requiring dialysis or transplant, many factors leading to it are manageable. Following a kidney-friendly diet and proactively controlling blood sugar and blood pressure can significantly delay or prevent its onset.
• Chronic Inflammatory Diarrhea: Early intervention with a tailored nutrition plan is key in managing chronic inflammatory diarrhea, helping to control symptoms and reduce the risk of serious health consequences.
• Insulin Resistance Syndrome: Insulin resistance syndrome, often a precursor to type 2 diabetes, can be managed through healthy lifestyle choices like diet and exercise to prevent serious health problems.
• Perimenopause: Perimenopause is the transitional phase leading up to menopause, and proactively managing your diet and lifestyle during this time can help prevent or lessen common symptoms like weight gain and mood changes.
• Sarcoidosis: Sarcoidosis, a condition causing inflammation throughout the body, can sometimes impact nutrient absorption and overall health, highlighting the importance of regular health checks for early detection and management to prevent long-term complications.

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

• Wellness Coaching: Wellness coaching empowers you to make informed food choices, supporting your overall well-being and reducing your risk of chronic diseases.
• Detoxification: Learn how to nourish your liver and kidneys – key organs in detoxification – with a tailored dietary approach that supports healthy function and reduces inflammation.
• Diabetes Counseling: Proactively manage your diabetes and prevent serious complications through expert guidance on nutrition and meal planning.
• Detoxification Evaluation: A detoxification evaluation is a proactive step toward optimizing your health by identifying potential sources of inflammation or metabolic stress that may lead to chronic disease.
• Body Composition Measurement: Invest in your well-being with a body composition analysis; this helps determine your body fat distribution, assisting in personalized nutrition plans to manage weight and improve metabolic health.
• Intracellular Nutrition Analysis: Take charge of your health by undergoing an intracellular nutrition analysis to detect early signs of nutritional imbalances and prevent future health problems.
• Diabetes Screening: Don't wait for symptoms to appear; a diabetes screening empowers you to take control of your health and potentially prevent or manage diabetes.

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. Mary 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 working with a registered dietitian nutritionist to create a sustainable eating plan, a patient successfully avoided the metabolic disruption associated with weight cycling, gaining confidence in their ability to maintain a healthy weight long-term.
• By proactively addressing nutritional needs, a woman significantly reduced her risk factors for future fertility concerns, gaining peace of mind and confidence in her reproductive health journey.

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. Mary 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. The term "nutritionist" is not regulated, meaning anyone can use it. RDs provide evidence-based, reliable nutrition advice.

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

Your first visit with Dr. Mary RD will be a comprehensive assessment, involving 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.

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

A heart-healthy diet is a powerful tool for managing high cholesterol and blood pressure. Dr. Mary RD can create a personalized plan emphasizing fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins, while also teaching you how to reduce sodium and unhealthy fats. This natural approach can significantly reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke.

My child is a picky eater. Can you help?

Yes, dietitians work with families on pediatric nutrition. Dr. Mary 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'm an athlete. How can you help me with sports performance?

Dr. Mary 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 a dietitian help me manage my diabetes?

Dr. Mary RD can help you manage your diabetes by teaching you about carbohydrate counting, balancing meals to stabilize blood sugar, and making healthy food choices without sacrificing flavor. This empowers you to take control of your condition.

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

Dr. Mary RD can help identify hidden sources of allergens in foods, create a balanced and varied meal plan that avoids trigger foods, and ensure you're still getting all the necessary nutrients.

Can you help with nutrition during pregnancy?

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

13800 Veterans Way
Orlando FL 32827
Phone: (407) 631-1000

Mary Vanderheyden, 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): 1073368643

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. Mary 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.