Paige Heiden

MS, RDN

Specialties:

Age Group(s):

Adults

Patient Populations:

LGBTQIA+, Men, Older adults, Women

About Paige

As a young adult, Paige struggled with her weight and wanted to improve her stamina on the soccer field. Conquering these challenges led her to discover her interests in food and chemistry. Once Paige realized she could put the two together, she pursued her dream of becoming a Registered Dietitian. Through Paige’s personal experience and years spent learning the science behind nutrition, she found the secret to enjoying life, loving her meals, and managing her weight. Guess what… no foods are off-limits! Paige loves helping her patients learn the science behind the foods we eat, improve their relationships with food, and reach their goals. Prior to joining the team at Culina Health, Paige worked as a dietitian for a concierge cardiovascular medical practice. She has also worked in private practice where she focused on sustainable weight management and disordered eating. Paige started her career as an inpatient and outpatient dietitian at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center.

Get To Know Paige

Favorite cultural dish or comfort food: Matzoh ball soup

Go-to morning beverage: Iced cappuccino

Favorite thing to purchase at the farmer’s market or grocery store: Pickles

Sleep ritual I never forget: 5-Minute Journal

What I listen to for inspiration: Taylor Swift

Favorite recipe: Healthy Twix Bars

Favorite nutrient-packed snack: Greek yogurt with berries and chia seeds

Favorite book/TV show/movie: Friends

Grocery shopping tip: Never go to the grocery store without a list!

What’s one small thing someone can do today to work toward a balanced eating pattern/lifestyle? Aim for at least three different colors at each meal.

A mindful eating moment you had recently: Never leave your home without a snack! The other day I had errands to run and found myself realizing I had gone several hours without eating. This resulted in me arriving back home ravenous, snacking my way through the pantry before I had the ability to put a proper meal together. If I had brought a snack with me and eaten it on the go (i.e: a bag of nuts, an apple with a cheese stick, dry roasted beans, a protein bar), I could have prevented the aftermath.

A habit you swear by: Plan your workouts the same way you plan your work meetings in your calendar.

What’s your nutrition superpower? My hands and feet actually turn orange because I eat too many carrots…!! Not kidding!!

How has your cultural culinary heritage shaped your approach to nutrition, and do you incorporate any traditional practices into your counseling? My Jewish upbringing and culture has given me the gift of many traditions and holidays centered around food and family. I believe this is where a lot of my passion for food and my work comes from. My Jewish upbringing gave me a strong understanding that food is way more than fuel…it’s family, tradition, culture, and love. My favorite holiday is Passover. To me, there’s nothing like matzoh ball soup and gefilte fish! I love discussing traditional Jewish dishes with my Jewish clients.

Nutrition philosophy in a nutshell: Passionate, encouraging and open, with a touch of tough love! I pride myself on empowering my patients to develop a strong sense of awareness around food and nutrition. I meet patients where they are to personalize their journey to becoming their happiest, healthiest selves. I love helping my patients learn the science behind food, improve their relationship with food, and reach their nutrition goals.

Nutrition myth or trend you find particularly annoying and would like to set the record straight: “Fruit has too much sugar” Fruit is rich in vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants. I encourage my clients to incorporate fruit at least once, if not several times, throughout the day. Even for my patients with pre-diabetes/diabetes, fruit can and should fit into a balanced diet.

Language(s):
English

Education:
Master of Science in Clinical Nutrition, Rutgers University; Bachelor of Science in Dietetics, University of Delaware

Dietetic Internship:
Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center; Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation; Rutgers University Athletics

Certificates:
Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics; CDR Certificate of Training in Obesity in Pediatrics and Adults

Counseling Style:
Empathetic
Motivational
Warm
Educational
Goal-oriented

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