Dina Garcia, RD is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist dedicated to providing compassionate, comprehensive care for older adults (65 years and older) at Vida Nutrition, Dietitian-Nutritionist & Mindful Eating Coach in Miami, FL. She is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practices under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice). 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. Dina's deep understanding of senior health needs, coupled with her extensive training and experience, makes her a valuable partner in your health journey. She is currently welcoming new patients and encourages you to call (786) 479-4081 to schedule an appointment.
Dina's practice is rooted in a holistic, food-first approach, recognizing the unique needs of each individual. She completed rigorous medical training from recognized institutions, including an internship at California State University, Fresno, gaining crucial clinical experience. After overcoming her own challenges with weight and prediabetes, she developed a passion for helping others achieve healthy, happy, and energetic lives. Dina's personalized programs aren't short-term fixes but long-term solutions, incorporating nutrition coaching, workshops, and support groups. She understands that motivation is key and provides a supportive community through her online group, "Eat-Play-Love Yourself Healthy." Dina is also proficient in Spanish, offering consultations in the language.
Dina's commitment to her patients extends beyond providing nutritional guidance. She believes that eating healthy doesn't have to be difficult, time-consuming, or boring. She tailors her approach to fit seamlessly into each patient's lifestyle, ensuring that the changes she recommends are sustainable and empowering. Her extensive experience encompasses weight loss, prediabetes, diabetes, renal (kidney) disease, pregnancy, and lactation. She is dedicated to helping you achieve your goals through a personalized, client-centered approach, and is confident in her ability to help you achieve a happier, healthier life.
A cornerstone of effective senior care is a strong patient-provider partnership. Dina Garcia is a vital partner in this journey, focusing on holistic strategies to protect health and enhance quality of life.
Dr. Garcia acts as a dedicated partner in your senior's health journey, providing compassionate and comprehensive care. Her expertise as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist allows her to personalize nutrition plans, addressing specific health needs like diabetes and heart disease. This holistic approach ensures optimal wellness and nutrition throughout the aging process, working in collaboration with the senior's entire care team to achieve the best possible outcomes.
By working together, you, your family, and Dina Garcia can create a clear, actionable plan that respects your individual needs and healthcare goals.
Also Accepts These Carriers
- APCN Plus - Colorado Front Range - Choice POS II
- Aetna
- Aetna HMO
- Choice Plus POS
- Choice Plus POS II
- Cigna
- Cigna PPO
- Elect Choice (Open Access) EPO
- Managed Choice (Open Access) POS
- Navigate HMO
- Navigate Plus POS
- Nexus Open Access
- Open Access Plus
- Options PPO
- Premier Care Network Plus - Innovation Health
- UnitedHealthCare
- Whole Health Colorado Front Range
Effective management of health is key to well-being in later life. Dina Garcia 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:
- Diabetes: If you have diabetes, it's vital to manage your blood sugar levels to prevent complications; a registered dietitian can tailor a nutritious eating plan to support your overall wellness and maintain your active lifestyle.
- High Cholesterol: High cholesterol doesn't have noticeable symptoms, but it's a serious risk factor for heart disease. By following a tailored nutrition plan, you can actively protect your heart and maintain your overall well-being.
- Hypertension: High blood pressure, or hypertension, often has no noticeable symptoms, but following a carefully planned diet can significantly lower your blood pressure and keep you healthier for longer.
- Kidney Failure: If your kidneys aren't working properly, it impacts how your body processes nutrients and fluids; a registered dietitian can create a plan to keep you healthy and comfortable.
- Obesity: Managing obesity is a journey, not a race. A registered dietitian can create a manageable plan focusing on sustainable lifestyle changes, helping you achieve a healthy weight and enhance your quality of life.
- Weight Gain: Weight gain in older adults can be a concern, but with a personalized plan from a registered dietitian, you can manage it and maintain your independence.
- Weight Loss: If weight loss is affecting your loved one's strength or ability to manage daily life, a registered dietitian can develop a personalized meal plan to safely promote healthy weight gain or maintenance.
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, Dina Garcia offers a range of services designed to diagnose, manage, and support the health of older adults:
- Diet Counseling: Diet counseling helps seniors create personalized eating plans to manage chronic conditions like diabetes and heart disease.
- Exercise Counseling: As part of a comprehensive care plan, exercise counseling helps seniors find enjoyable activities that increase strength, flexibility, and balance, reducing fall risk.
- Metabolic Rate Testing: Understanding your metabolic rate is a crucial step in crafting a weight management plan that is safe, effective, and sustainable for you as a senior.
- Nutritional Counseling: Nutritional counseling is a valuable tool for managing chronic kidney disease by helping you choose foods that support your kidney health.
- Wellness Examination: A wellness examination helps identify potential nutritional deficiencies or imbalances that could impact your health and well-being.
- Detoxification: A personalized eating plan, guided by an RDN, can help seniors improve liver and kidney functionkey organs for natural detoxificationthrough the provision of essential nutrients.
- Bariatric Surgery (Weight Loss Surgery): In some cases, bariatric surgery is a surgical approach used in conjunction with dietary changes and lifestyle modifications to significantly aid seniors in achieving and maintaining a healthy weight.
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.
Dina Garcia 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:
- With personalized dietary guidance, a senior felt more secure in managing their diabetes, allowing them to enjoy their favorite evening walks with renewed energy.
- Following a tailored nutrition plan, a senior couple felt more secure about their future health, enjoying an active retirement with confidence and reduced worry about heart disease risks.
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 Dina Garcia:
- What is a Registered Dietitian?
- A Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) is a food and nutrition expert who has completed extensive education and training. RDNs translate complex nutrition science into practical advice to help seniors manage health conditions, prevent disease, and improve well-being.
- How is a Registered Dietitian different from a 'nutritionist'?
- A Registered Dietitian, like Dina Garcia, is a legally protected title. RDs have a bachelor's degree, complete a supervised practice program, pass a national exam, and maintain continuing education. The title "nutritionist" is not regulated, so anyone can use it. Working with an RD, like Dina Garcia, ensures you're choosing a qualified and credentialed expert.
- Do I have to give up all my favorite foods?
- Not at all! Dina Garcia's philosophy focuses on balance, moderation, and enjoying the foods you love. We'll work together to find healthier alternatives and appropriate portion sizes to create a sustainable lifestyle, not a restrictive diet.
- I have high blood pressure. What kind of dietary changes can help?
- Ms. Garcia can help you make powerful dietary changes to manage high blood pressure without medication. A key strategy is reducing sodium intake by limiting processed foods. The DASH diet, emphasizing fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins, is also very effective in lowering blood pressure. These changes can significantly improve your health.
- I have Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). Why is diet so important?
- When your kidneys aren't working optimally, they struggle to filter waste from your blood. A special renal diet helps reduce the buildup of these waste products. Dina Garcia can create a personalized plan that often limits sodium, potassium, and phosphorus to ease the burden on your kidneys and help preserve their function.
- Can a dietitian help with digestive issues like gas and bloating?
- Yes, many digestive issues, including gas and bloating, are directly related to food choices. Dina Garcia can help identify trigger foods for conditions like Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and develop a personalized eating plan, such as a low-FODMAP diet, to reduce uncomfortable symptoms.
- What is Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT)?
- Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) is a personalized nutrition plan created by a Registered Dietitian to treat medical conditions. It's an evidence-based approach, like developing a heart-healthy eating plan to lower cholesterol or a kidney-friendly diet for chronic kidney disease. MNT is part of a comprehensive healthcare plan to improve health outcomes.
- 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 because poor appetite can lead to unintentional weight loss and malnutrition, impacting strength and immunity. Dina Garcia can help you develop strategies to make meals more appealing and nutrient-dense to ensure you're getting the nutrition your body needs.
Vida Nutrition, Dietitian-Nutritionist & Mindful Eating Coach
11098 Biscayne Blvd # 401-30
Miami FL 33161
Phone: (786) 479-4081
Dina Garcia, 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): 1639413982
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 Dina Garcia 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.