Brittany Smith, RD is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist dedicated to providing compassionate, comprehensive care for older adults (65 years and older) at Brittany Smith, RD in Lakewood Ranch, FL. She is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practices under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice). As a trusted partner in senior health, Brittany understands the unique nutritional needs and challenges that come with aging. Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) are specialized healthcare professionals who partner with your doctor and care team to create personalized nutrition plans for managing complex health conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and kidney disease, ensuring optimal wellness and nutrition throughout your aging journey.
Brittany is passionate about empowering seniors to achieve optimal health and well-being through mindful nutrition and holistic wellness practices. Her approach is weight-neutral and behavior-first, focusing on the root cause of symptoms and promoting lasting change. She believes in a supportive and empowering environment where patients feel empowered to heal and meet their goals. She works to nourish her patients from the inside out, focusing on mindful nutrition, holistic wellness, and self-love. Brittany is currently welcoming new patients and encourages you to call (941) 315-8867 to schedule an appointment. She provides consultations primarily in English.
As a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist living in Florida, Brittany brings a deep understanding of the unique needs of women and the challenges of disordered eating and body image. Her personal experience and passion for holistic wellness, intuitive eating, gut health, and skin health inform her approach to patient care. "My goal is to create a supportive environment for my patients, where they will feel empowered to heal and meet their goals," she shares. "I have a food first philosophy and take a weight-neutral and behavior first approach to patient care focusing on mindful nutrition, holistic wellness, and self-love. Together, we will work to get to the root cause of your symptoms, create lasting change, and nourish you from the inside out!" She is honored to be a part of your healing journey.
A cornerstone of effective senior care is a strong patient-provider partnership. Brittany Smith is a vital partner in this journey, focusing on holistic strategies to protect health and enhance quality of life.
Dr. Smith is a dedicated partner in your senior's health journey, providing comprehensive care that extends beyond medical treatment. She collaborates closely with registered dietitian nutritionists to create personalized nutrition plans, addressing complex health conditions like diabetes and heart disease, ensuring optimal wellness and nutrition throughout the aging process. This holistic approach prioritizes the individual needs and goals of each senior, fostering a supportive environment for both the patient and their family.
By working together, you, your family, and Brittany Smith can create a clear, actionable plan that respects your individual needs and healthcare goals.
Specific Plans Accepted
Aetna
Blue Cross Blue Shield of California
Blue Shield of California
Cigna
Also Accepts These Carriers
- APCN Open Access Aetna Select
- AWH Emory Northside Hospital System OAAS
- Blue Card
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts
- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusetts
- Choice
- Choice Care (Humana)
- Choice Plus
- ChoiceCare Network
- First Health
- First Health (Coventry Health Care)
- HealthSmart
- MAPFRE Life Insurance Company of Puerto Rico
- Managed Choice (Open Access)
- National
- Navigate
- Nexus Open Access
- Open Access Plus
- Open Choice
- Options
- Premier Care Network Plus - Innovation Health
- Select
- UnitedHealthCare
Effective management of health is key to well-being in later life. Brittany Smith provides expert, compassionate care for a range of conditions common in older adults, with a focus on managing symptoms and maintaining function. Common areas of focus include:
- Celiac Disease: Celiac disease is a condition where eating gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye, triggers an immune response that damages the small intestine, making it hard to absorb nutrients.
- Diabetes: High blood sugar, a hallmark of diabetes, can be effectively managed through careful attention to diet; a customized meal plan from an RDN can help you enjoy your favorite foods while staying healthy.
- Eating Disorders: If you or a loved one is struggling with an unhealthy relationship with food, know that support and effective treatment options, including guidance from a registered dietitian, are available to promote recovery and better health.
- Food Allergy: Living with food allergies can be challenging, but with careful planning and an understanding of your specific allergens, you can enjoy a wide variety of safe and nutritious meals, maintaining your independence and health.
- Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD): GERD, or acid reflux, happens when stomach acid flows back up into the esophagus, causing heartburn and discomfort, but with the right diet and lifestyle changes, you can effectively manage symptoms and improve your daily life.
- High Cholesterol: Having high cholesterol means you have a buildup of cholesterol in your arteries, which can lead to heart problems; however, a personalized eating plan can help manage cholesterol levels and help maintain your independence and energy.
- Nutritional Deficiency: Nutritional deficiencies happen when your body lacks vital vitamins or minerals needed for good health; a personalized eating plan can address these shortcomings and enhance your well-being.
- Obesity: Obesity is having more body fat than is considered healthy, which can increase the risk of health problems like heart disease and diabetes, but with a personalized plan, you can improve your health and well-being.
- Weight Loss: Losing weight unintentionally can impact energy levels and overall health, but a tailored nutrition plan can help seniors maintain a healthy weight and improve their well-being.
This list highlights some common health concerns and is for informational purposes. An accurate diagnosis and a personalized care plan can only be developed through a direct consultation with a qualified medical professional based on your specific health history.
To provide comprehensive and person-centered care, Brittany Smith offers a range of services designed to diagnose, manage, and support the health of older adults:
- Diet Counseling: Working with a dietitian in diet counseling empowers seniors to make informed food choices to support their health goals and improve their quality of life.
- Eating Management: Eating management helps create personalized meal plans to control chronic conditions like diabetes and heart disease.
- Exercise Counseling: Working with a healthcare professional, exercise counseling helps integrate physical activity into a senior's daily routine to aid in weight management and improve overall well-being.
- Nutritional Counseling: Nutritional counseling helps create a personalized eating plan to manage chronic conditions like diabetes and heart disease, improving your overall health.
- Nutritional Supplementation: Dietary supplements can be part of a personalized strategy to improve weight management for older adults, helping to achieve and maintain a healthy weight.
- Weight Loss Management: This service creates personalized eating plans to help seniors safely and effectively lose weight while meeting their nutritional needs.
- Weight Maintenance: Maintaining a healthy weight helps seniors manage chronic conditions like diabetes and heart disease, improving their overall quality of life.
- Wellness Coaching: Through one-on-one sessions, wellness coaching helps seniors understand their nutritional needs, develop practical meal plans, and build lasting healthy habits to manage chronic conditions.
- Wellness Examination: This examination is a crucial step in developing a comprehensive care plan that addresses your individual dietary needs and health goals.
Service availability can change. To understand which services are appropriate for your specific health needs, please schedule a consultation to develop a personalized care plan.
All medical services are provided in accordance with the standard scope of practice for Registered Dietitian Nutritionists in Florida.
Brittany Smith is dedicated to partnering with older adults and their families to achieve their unique health objectives. The following examples illustrate how compassionate care can make a tangible difference in a patient's life:
- Following a registered dietitian nutritionist's guidance on a gluten-free diet, a senior couple was able to enjoy delicious meals together again without digestive discomfort, leading to a renewed sense of joy and connection.
- With a personalized meal plan from a registered dietitian nutritionist, a senior couple found their energy levels improving, allowing them to enjoy their daily walks and garden again.
These scenarios are illustrative examples of positive health outcomes. Individual results vary and depend on many factors specific to each person. She will work with you to define and achieve your personal health goals.
- Primary Location:
Practice
3801 E Highway 98 Ste 100100, Port St. Joe, FL, 32456
Phone: (850) 229-5752
View on Map
- HCA Florida St. Lucie Hospital Port St. Lucie (Residency Hospital)
Here are answers to some common questions about Registered Dietitian Nutritionist care with Brittany Smith:
- What is a Registered Dietitian?
- A Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) is a food and nutrition expert who has completed rigorous education and training. RDNs translate nutrition science into practical advice to help seniors manage health conditions, prevent disease, and live healthier lives.
- How is a Registered Dietitian different from a 'nutritionist'?
- A Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, like Brittany Smith, is a qualified and credentialed expert. The title "Registered Dietitian" is a legally protected title, requiring a bachelor's degree, supervised practice, a national exam, and continuing education. A "nutritionist" is not a regulated title, so anyone can use it.
- Do I have to give up all my favorite foods?
- Not at all! Brittany Smith's practice focuses on balance, moderation, and finding healthy ways to enjoy your favorite foods. The goal is a sustainable lifestyle, not a restrictive diet, by exploring healthier alternatives and appropriate portion sizes.
- I have high blood pressure. What kind of dietary changes can help?
- Reducing sodium by limiting processed foods and following the DASH diet, which emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins, are powerful, non-medication ways to help manage high blood pressure. These dietary changes can significantly improve your blood pressure and overall health.
- Can a dietitian help with digestive issues like gas and bloating?
- Yes, many digestive issues, like gas and bloating, are directly related to food choices. Brittany Smith can help identify trigger foods and develop a personalized eating plan, such as a low-FODMAP diet, to reduce uncomfortable symptoms.
- As I've gotten older, my appetite has decreased. Is this a concern?
- Decreased appetite is common in older adults, but it's important to address. Poor appetite can lead to unintentional weight loss and malnutrition, impacting strength and immunity. Brittany Smith can help you develop strategies to make meals more appealing and nutrient-dense to ensure you're getting the nutrition your body needs.
- I have Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). Why is diet so important?
- When your kidneys aren't working optimally, they have trouble removing waste from your blood. A renal diet, created by Brittany Smith, helps reduce these waste products. This plan often limits sodium, potassium, and phosphorus to lessen the burden on your kidneys and preserve their function.
- I have type 2 diabetes. How can a dietitian help me?
- Managing your diet is a cornerstone of type 2 diabetes control. Brittany Smith can help you understand how different foods affect your blood sugar, creating a balanced, enjoyable eating plan that stabilizes blood sugar, improves energy, and prevents complications, not deprivation.
Brittany Smith, RD
11161 State Road 70 E
Lakewood Ranch FL 34202
Phone: (941) 315-8867
Brittany Smith, 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): 1891488789
Registration can typically be verified through The Florida Board of Medicine website or by direct inquiry.
The information on this profile, provided by infoaging.org, is for general informational purposes and to help you connect with healthcare partners for yourself or a loved one. It does not constitute direct medical advice from the provider named. Registered Dietitian Nutritionists like Brittany Smith are skilled in helping seniors and their families navigate their health journey. For urgent or life-threatening emergencies, please call 911 or visit the nearest emergency department. Always consult with a qualified medical professional for any health concerns or before making any decisions related to your care plan.