Kristen Gooch, RD is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist practicing at Kristen Gooch, RD in Tampa, FL. She is dedicated to providing compassionate, comprehensive Registered Dietitian Nutritionist care for older adults, 65 years and older, registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practicing under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice). As a valued partner in senior health, she understands the unique nutritional needs and challenges that come with aging, and is committed to optimizing wellness and nutrition throughout this journey. 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.
Kristen's approach to senior care emphasizes a collaborative, functional perspective. She believes in working together to identify the root causes of health concerns, rather than simply applying blanket recommendations. This personalized approach ensures lasting positive changes in diet and lifestyle. She is currently welcoming new patients, and you can schedule an appointment by calling (813) 492-4544. Her passion for helping individuals achieve optimal gut health and food freedom, combined with a deep understanding of the complexities of senior nutrition, makes her a valuable resource in your journey toward better health. Kristen's commitment to comprehensive care extends beyond providing a plan; she empowers patients to make informed choices and sustain healthy habits for a lifetime. She provides consultations primarily in English.
A cornerstone of effective senior care is a strong patient-provider partnership. Kristen Gooch is a vital partner in this journey, focusing on holistic strategies to protect health and enhance quality of life.
Dr. Gooch is a compassionate and dedicated partner in your senior's health journey, providing comprehensive care that extends beyond medical treatment. As a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, she expertly crafts personalized nutrition plans, addressing specific health needs and optimizing wellness. Her approach prioritizes the individual's unique circumstances and goals, ensuring a holistic plan that promotes comfort, independence, and overall well-being throughout the aging process.
By working together, you, your family, and Kristen Gooch can create a clear, actionable plan that respects your individual needs and healthcare goals.
Also Accepts These Carriers
- Blue Advantage
- Blue Choice
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Choice
- Choice Care (Humana)
- ChoiceCare Network
- EmblemHealth
- HealthSmart
- MAPFRE Life Insurance Company of Puerto Rico
- National
- Preferred
Effective management of health is key to well-being in later life. Kristen Gooch 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: With a gluten-free diet, carefully planned with the help of a registered dietitian, individuals with celiac disease can significantly reduce symptoms and improve their overall health and well-being.
- Diabetes: Diabetes means your blood sugar levels are too high, impacting your energy and health, however, a registered dietitian can create a personalized eating plan to help you feel your best.
- 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: Food allergies happen when your immune system mistakenly identifies a harmless food protein as a threat, triggering a reaction that can range from mild discomfort to a life-threatening emergency.
- 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: High cholesterol is a condition where there's too much cholesterol, a fatty substance, in your blood, increasing your risk of heart disease, but with a healthy diet and lifestyle changes, you can significantly lower your cholesterol and improve your heart health.
- Nutritional Deficiency: If you're experiencing unexplained fatigue or weakness, you might have a nutritional deficiency. A registered dietitian can help identify and correct these imbalances, improving your strength and independence.
- 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: Weight loss in older adults can be a sign of underlying health issues or simply a change in appetite, and working with a registered dietitian can help find the cause and create a safe and effective plan to address it.
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, Kristen Gooch 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: Through careful assessment of dietary intake, eating management helps identify nutritional deficiencies and improve overall health.
- Exercise Counseling: Exercise counseling helps determine the safest and most effective types of physical activity for seniors to improve their overall health and manage chronic conditions.
- Nutritional Counseling: Nutritional counseling is a valuable tool for managing chronic kidney disease by helping you choose foods that support your kidney health.
- Nutritional Supplementation: As part of a comprehensive care plan, nutritional supplements can help manage chronic conditions like diabetes or heart disease by addressing specific nutrient deficiencies.
- Weight Loss Management: Through careful assessment and guidance, weight loss management helps seniors manage conditions like diabetes, heart disease, or arthritis exacerbated by excess weight.
- Weight Maintenance: Maintaining a healthy weight helps seniors manage chronic conditions like diabetes and heart disease, improving their overall quality of life.
- Wellness Coaching: Working with a wellness coach helps seniors create a sustainable plan for healthy aging, addressing nutrition, physical activity, and stress management to improve their health outcomes.
- Wellness Examination: The wellness examination helps determine whether you need support with weight management, diabetes, or other diet-related health conditions.
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.
Kristen Gooch 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 a carefully planned gluten-free diet, a senior felt a significant reduction in digestive discomfort and was able to enjoy meals with her family again without worry.
- With a personalized meal plan, a senior regained the energy to join her grandchildren for weekly game nights, a cherished family tradition.
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 Kristen Gooch:
- What is a Registered Dietitian?
- A Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) is a food and nutrition expert who has completed extensive education and training. They translate complex 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, like Kristen Gooch, is a legally protected title. RDs have completed a rigorous academic and practice program, passed a national exam, and maintain continuing education. The title "nutritionist" is not regulated, so anyone can use it. Working with an RD ensures you're receiving guidance from a qualified and credentialed expert.
- Do I have to give up all my favorite foods?
- Not at all! Kristen Gooch's philosophy focuses on balance, moderation, and finding healthy ways to enjoy your favorite foods. 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?
- Reducing sodium, especially by limiting processed foods, is a key strategy. The DASH diet, emphasizing fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins, can be very helpful in managing high blood pressure. These dietary changes are powerful ways to help control your blood pressure without medication.
- I have type 2 diabetes. How can a dietitian help me?
- Managing your diet is a cornerstone of type 2 diabetes control. Kristen Gooch 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. It's not about deprivation, but about making healthy choices.
- I have Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). Why is diet so important?
- When your kidneys aren't working optimally, they struggle to remove waste from your blood. A special renal diet helps reduce this buildup. Kristen Gooch can create a personalized plan that often limits sodium, potassium, and phosphorus to lessen the strain 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. Ms. Gooch can help identify trigger foods, such as those associated with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), and develop a personalized eating plan, like a low-FODMAP diet, to reduce 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 creating a heart-healthy plan to lower cholesterol or a kidney-friendly plan for someone with chronic kidney disease, and is part of a comprehensive healthcare plan.
Kristen Gooch, RD
3602 S Omar Ave
Tampa FL 33629
Phone: (813) 492-4544
Kristen Gooch, 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): 1942078274
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 Kristen Gooch 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.