SPORTS & WELLNESS
Nutrition
Specialized Performance Coaching
Nutrition
Individual counseling sessions and various nutrition programs available for performance nutrition, weight management, medial nutrition therapy and general wellness.
Training
Training programs, individual workout plans and personal training sessions are available for all levels.
Become the best version of yourself.
One of my favorite philosophies is “you do you”. What might work best for one person might not be the best answer for another. Learning how to adapt your eating behaviors to your lifestyle is key whether you are trying to maintain your health, lose weight or perform at the highest level.
My name is Melissa Rittenhouse PhD, RD, CSSD. The RD stands for Registered Dietitian and CSSD means I am a Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics. I also have a PhD in Exercise Physiology.
I have been practicing in the areas of sports nutrition and human performance since 2002, with side gigs as a RRCA certified coach and an ACE certified personal trainer. My interest in nutrition and physical activity escalated as my desire to be a competitive marathoner grew. I participated in the 2004, 2008 and 2012 Olympic Marathon Trials. That is 12 years of competing and training at the highest level, which could not have been achieved if I did not pay attention to every little piece of the puzzle, including nutrition, sleep, positive mental health, proper training and recovery. My dedication and passion have led me to a successful athletic and professional career.
Frequently Asked Questions
Learn How it Works!
How do I schedule an Appointment?
To schedule a consultation you have a few options:
1. Schedule on my a nutrition consultation, a training consultation or visit my general calendar.
2. Use the contact form to request an appointment.
3. Purchase a nutrition package or training package.
Does insurance cover nutrition consultations?
Every insurance plan is different. Often if there is a medical necessity, areas such as overweight, cardiovascular disease, or diabetes are covered. You can check with your insurance to see if nutrition consultations are covered. I am in network with Aetna, Anthem, BCBS, Carefirst, Cigna and United Healthcare.
I HAVE NEVER BEEN TO A DIETITIAN, WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT?
In general, for your initial session it is important for me to understand your health history, lifestyle and goals. The first session is typically an information gathering session. There will be dialog and you will have some guidance this first session. The initial session is typically 45-60 minutes and follow up sessions are usually 30 minutes. There is not a set number of appointments. Sometimes insurance might only allow 3 sessions and therefore, if your goal is only to have 3 sessions we will do what we can in those three sessions. Self pay clients can have as many or as few appointments as they want. I typically recommend everyone have at least two sessions because this is a process and it takes a while for behavior change to occur.
Is there parking at your office?
Yes, the parking lot for the building is by the Hilton, off Waverly street. The average cost is $3/hour. There is also the Waverly public parking garage for $1.50/hour and meter parking on the streets or in the lot next to Panera.
How do I purchase a program?
Select either the nutrition or training page, depending what services you are seeking. The bottom of the page offers several options for you. If you do not see what you are looking for contact me.
do you offer telehealth?
Yes, I offer telehealth for all services. I utilize a secure platform that is HIPAA compliant. Not all insurances permit telehealth, if you are using insurance, check to see if your plan offers telehealth.