Introduce yourself to Cara D’Anello of Homeward Bound Nutrition!

CLINIC: What is the story of your business?

Cara D’Anello: I started my private practice back in August 2023 after having worked in a few group practices and an eating disorder treatment center over the past five years. While building my practice, I was missing the social connection that comes with being in an office space. I joined CLINIC in December 2023 and have enjoyed having sessions in-person.  

Creating my own business and working for myself felt like the next step in continuing my work in the field of eating disorders.  In dietitian land, perfectionism, hustle culture and people pleasing is very commonplace-something that I’ve always struggled with at times and resented the further I’ve learned about my values and style as a provider.  Creating my own practice has allowed me to have more agency over my professional demands and have more time and energy for the projects I enjoy doing in and out of work.

What is your specialty, within your discipline?

Within the field of nutrition, I work specifically with folks navigating disordered eating, diagnosed or self diagnosed eating disorders, and health conditions (such as PCOS, High Cholesterol, High Triglycerides, Insulin Resistance, IBS)  that can be supported by medical nutrition therapy.

The focus of my work is on nutrition, eating patterns, beliefs and thoughts surrounding food choices, and potential supplement use. Because our relationship with food is impacted by other lifestyle behaviors, I bring in conversation around sleep, stress, movement, social connection, and social identities. 

What else is distinctive about the way you practice?

I practice from a Health At Every Size  ®aligned framework, which challenges the weight centric focus of traditional dietetics. Instead of prescribing weight loss to address health conditions, I work with individuals around non restrictive food based behaviors that can support one’s health. If you are interested in learning more about why I do not recommend intentional weight loss or dieting, this is a great resource: https://haeshealthsheets.com/why-we-dont-recommend-intentional-weight-loss/

What education do you have in your modality?

I studied nutrition at University of Vermont and majored in Dietetics, Food Science, and Nutrition. Afterwards, I went to complete my dietetic internship and coordinated Master’s in Nutrition Science at Tufts University in Boston). My education in the realm of eating disorders was introduced to me in one of my internship practicums and continued into my first job at an eating disorder clinic in western mass. 

Whom do you most like to work with?

I work mostly with adults, college students, and members of the LGBTQIA+ community.

What is a fun fact about you that might surprise people?

I have my black belt (first degree of thirteen)  in kung-fu! 

What’s on your bucket list?

Travel to and hike around Banff in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.