We were lucky to catch up with Cherish Clouse recently and have shared our conversation below.

Cherish, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you share a story with us from back when you were an intern or apprentice? Maybe it’s a story that illustrates an important lesson you learned or maybe it’s a just a story that makes you laugh (or cry)?

I went to college with no clear direction on what I wanted to be when I grew up. I remember taking an Introduction to Nutrition class and absolutely falling in love with the science behind food. I continued taking nutrition classes as electives until it was clear nutrition was my career path. I decided half way through, I was going to be a clinical dietitian in a hospital educating clients on how food could change the trajectory of their disease. Then I completed my internship and my passion was taken a different direction — the clinical experience was my least favorite rotation. I started to understand nutrition is a broad career and it could take me in many different directions. I graduated with a Bachelor and Masters of Science in Nutrition from Texas Woman’s University. My first job was in a WIC clinic and I have stayed in Public Health for the last 16 years. My WIC experience took me into management and taught me lessons I continue to implement today. I transitioned to Early Childhood Intervention where I could implement that clinical experience in a pediatric setting inside client’s homes. I have always loved teaching nutrition and supporting families in the day to day grind of how to best nourish our bodies and feed our families within the current situation – no matter what that looks like. After COVID, I needed a change and I found myself in a facility focusing on mental health where I supported the Eating Disorder Clinic as a dietitian. I also taught nutrition classes to PHP/IOP groups. This set the foundation of where I am today. I know my career path is to help people in hard spaces of life care for themselves the best they can through food and nutrition. Unfortunately, the clinic closed their nutrition department and I was left wondering what was next. I opened my own practice called Cherish Your Health and continue to see clients routinely. In addition to seeing clients in my own practice, I provide meals to the public through a local store in my hometown. I prepare healthy grab and go breakfast and lunch options; these are available for busy people to keep track of their nutrition goals and it allows me to be a part of my community.

Cherish, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I became a Registered Dietitian in 2009 after receiving her Bachelors and Master of Science from Texas Woman’s University. I am currently licensed to work in the state of Texas.
I have over sixteen years of experience helping others navigate the hard spaces of nutrition. I have walked alongside clients in their home, in the grocery store, in restaurants, as well as provided education on addiction and eating disorders in facilities. I believe there can be a balance to enjoying food while also utilizing it as a tool to feel your best physically, emotionally, and mentally.

I have always loved working with children. I spent many years working with WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) and ECI (Early Childhood Intervention). I am very knowledgeable on how to meet the nutritional needs in children along with the challenges families face during mealtime routines. I have experience in working with children with developmental delays which includes feeding difficulties, gastrostomy tubes, autism, and specific sensory needs.

My other passion is how mental health affects our nutrition and food intake, our motivation to move, and our overall quality of life. This is something I have personally walked through and struggled with as well and I try to practice what I preach. I have taught nutrition groups in mental health facilities as well as supported clients in eating disorder recovery. I am not afraid to help those in the hard spaces of life.

If you could go back in time, do you think you would have chosen a different profession or specialty?

Absolutely! I never had a clear direction or path when it came to my career — which is strange for my personality. I am very type A and like a plan and to have all the details worked out. But when it comes to working, I have always been open to where it will take me next. I chose a career in nutrition solely based on curiosity; I chose that nutrition class because I was curious why people had different outlooks and opinions on food. What did food mean to different cultures? How did food truly affect our bodies? I was young and could eat anything and everything I wanted and I didn’t think it made any difference…. time has a way of teaching you it won’t always be that way but I didn’t understand at the time. I receive fulfillment from helping others so that has always been my foundation……nutrition is just the pathway.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

When the facility I was working at closed their nutrition department, I was left unemployed and again found myself wondering what direction to go. I had thoughts of opening my own practice over the past several years, but it was always later……when my kids were grown….not now. Finding myself in this space, I decided to go for it! I already had the name — Cherish Your Health and I started down the path of obtaining my LLC and opening my own practice. Did I know how to do it — no! But I learned and kept moving forward. Be willing to go down a learning curve: it’s scary and unknown which goes against human nature but it’s what keeps us going and feeling alive. Never stop learning. That is the thing about nutrition I might love most– it’s constantly changing and it’s a career you have to keep learning and adapting to– it doesn’t stay the same — there will always be a new diet, or new recommendation. Just like most of us don’t want to eat the same thing every day, you don’t want to live the same day every day either! Try something new!

I opened my practice almost two years ago and it continues to grow as I continue learning. It has opened up several opportunities for me and I am along for this new ride and where it will take me over the years.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.cherishyourhealthrdn.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cherishyourhealthrdn/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CherishyourhealthRDN
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cherish-clouse-ms-rdn-ld-4ab3a0141/