Meet Our Team

Stephanie Brooks, MS, RDN, CEDS-S (She/her)

Clients:

  • Children
  • Teens age 13-19
  • Young Adults
  • Adults
  • Families
  • Neurodiverse
  • LGBTQ+
  • Supervision and Training for: Dietitians, Therapists, and other care providers

Specialties:

  • Eating Disorders – (Family Based Nutrition Therapy Trained)
    • Anorexia Nervosa (AN)
    • Bulimia Nervosa (BN)
    • Binge Eating Disorder (BED)
    • Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder (OSFED)
    • Unspecified Feeding or Eating Disorder (UFED)
    • Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)
  • ADHD
  • Child and Family Nutrition
  • Compulsive/Emotional Eating
  • HAES (Health At Every Size)
  • Intuitive Eating
  • Malnutrition
  • Non-Diet Approach
  • Weight Concerns

Education:

B.S. UC Berkeley, Nutrition & Clinical Dietetics

M.S. San Jose State University, Nutrition & Food Science

Certificate, John F. Kennedy University, Eating Disorders

Certified Eating Disorders Registered Dietitian and Supervisor, IAEDP

Experience:

Stephanie Brooks founded Bay Area Nutrition, LLC in 1999 to provide individuals, families and groups with the most up to date and user-friendly nutrition information and guidance. Stephanie has been practicing since 1991. Stephanie is a nationally recognized expert in the field of disordered eating and pediatric feeding problems.

In addition to her work with individuals, groups and families, she provides training and supervision for nutrition and other professionals regarding various nutrition topics and business development. Stephanie is passionate about her work and loves to see the ‘ah-ha’ moments when clients start to feel better, have more energy, improve health and find their right balance. She practices a “Health At Every Size” philosophy and utilizes a “non-diet/mindful” approach to eating, activity and life balance.

 

Rebecca Sugumar, MS, RDN (She/her) 

Clients:

  • Children
  • Teens age 13-19
  • Young Adults
  • Adults
  • Families
  • Seniors
  • Neurodiverse
  • LGBTQ+

Specialties:

  • Eating Disorders – (Family Based Nutrition Therapy Trained)
    • Anorexia Nervosa (AN)
    • Bulimia Nervosa (BN)
    • Binge Eating Disorder (BED)
    • Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder (OSFED)
    • Unspecified Feeding or Eating Disorder (UFED)
    • Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)
  • ADHD
  • Child and Family Nutrition
  • Compulsive/Emotional Eating
  • Diabetes/Pre-Diabetes/Gestational Diabetes
  • Family Nutrition
  • Food Allergies
  • HAES (Health At Every Size)
  • High Blood Pressure
  • High Cholesterol
  • IBS/GI issues – Trained in FODMAP
  • Intuitive Eating
  • Malnutrition
  • Non-Diet Approach
  • Vegetarianism
  • Weight Concerns

Education:  

B.S. University of Madras, India, Nutrition, Food Service Management & Dietetics

M.S. University of Madras, India, Food Science & Nutrition

Experience:

Rebecca brings over 10 years of nutrition and dietetics experience to Bay Area Nutrition working with individuals and families.  She has a wide range of specialties from eating disorders/disordered eating, diabetes, kidney disease, gastrointestinal issues, malnutrition related to cancer, geriatrics, and other conditions as well as cardiovascular concerns.

Rebecca takes a holistic approach to wellness, and practices evidence-based nutrition tailoring nutrition recommendations to each individual. Rebecca has completed advanced training in the area of maternal and infant nutrition as well as advanced nutrition counseling skills. She is passionate about helping her clients take baby steps to change their lifestyle towards improved health and well-being.  She also enjoys providing nutrition education at schools and health fairs.  Rebecca continues her professional learning and growth by participating in individual and group case consultation and supervision, as well as classes and continuing education in the area of nutrition, eating disorders, and counseling.  Rebecca speaks Tamil fluently and some Hindi.

She completed her Didactic Program in Dietetics at San Jose State University and her internship with a concentration in diabetes education.

 

Liz Sandberg, RD (She/her)

Clients:

  • Children
  • Teens age 13-19
  • Young Adults
  • Adults
  • Families
  • Seniors
  • Neurodiverse
  • LGBTQ+
  • ADHD

Specialties:

  • Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)
  • ADHD
  • Child and Family Nutrition
  • Compulsive/Emotional Eating
  • Diabetes/Pre-Diabetes/Gestational Diabetes
  • Family Nutrition
  • HAES (Health At Every Size)
  • High Blood Pressure
  • High Cholesterol
  • IBS/GI issues
  • Intuitive Eating
  • Malnutrition
  • Non-Diet Approach
  • Weight Concerns

Education: 

Education:  B.S. Brigham Young University, Food Science and Nutrition

Coordinated Internship: Utah Beef Council, Provo School District, Sandy Hospital

Experience:

Liz shares a weight inclusive, non-diet ideology while working with clients. She utilizes an intuitive perspective to eating, and implements a gentle, mindful approach in relation to food and the body.  She believes that all food can be part of a healthful lifestyle. She has experience with ARFID (Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder). She is passionate about helping clients decrease anxiety surrounding mealtimes and improve their relationship with food.

Liz loves to hike in the hills of the Bay Area pausing often to photograph the wildflowers and beautiful scenery.  She enjoys making new dessert recipes to share with her husband and three boys.  She recently made Toasted Marshmallow Ice Cream.  The addition of graham crackers and chocolate created a fun spin-off of her favorite dessert, S’mores.

 

Rachel Bowles, MS, RDN (She/her)

Clients:

  • Children
  • Teens age 13-19
  • Young Adults
  • Adults
  • Families
  • Seniors
  • LGBTQ+

Specialties:

  • Eating Disorders – (Family Based Nutrition Therapy Trained)
    • Anorexia Nervosa (AN)
    • Bulimia Nervosa (BN)
    • Binge Eating Disorder (BED)
    • Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder (OSFED)
    • Unspecified Feeding or Eating Disorder (UFED)
    • Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)
  • Child and Family Nutrition
  • Compulsive/Emotional Eating
  • Diabetes/Pre-Diabetes
  • HAES (Health At Every Size)
  • High Blood Pressure
  • High Cholesterol
  • Intuitive Eating
  • Malnutrition
  • Non-Diet Approach
  • Weight Concerns

Education:

B.A. Nutrition, California Polytechnic State University

M.S.  Nutritional Science, San Jose State University

Internship completed at California Polytechnic State University, Pomona

Experience:

Rachel began practicing as a Registered Dietitian in 2011 as a Corporate Wellness Dietitian, where she discovered her passion for group health education and one-on-one nutrition counseling. She believes in an individualized approach to nutrition and health, and strives to help her clients find the changes and strategies that will help them achieve their goals.

As a mother of three young children, Rachel understands the challenges of feeding a family and ensuring kids are well nourished.  Rachel continues her professional learning and growth by participating in individual and group case consultation and supervision, as well as classes and continuing education in the area of nutrition, eating disorders, and counseling.

 

Jemimah Chan, RDN (She/her)

Clients:

  • Teens age 13-19
  • Young Adults
  • Adults
  • Families
  • LGBTQ+

Specialties:

  • Eating Disorders
    • Anorexia Nervosa (AN)
    • Bulimia Nervosa (BN)
    • Binge Eating Disorder (BED)
    • Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder (OSFED)
    • Unspecified Feeding or Eating Disorder (UFED)
    • Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)
  • Disordered Eating
  • Compulsive/Emotional Eating
  • Weight concerns (e.g., burnt out by dieting/diet culture, etc.)
  • Pre-diabetes/Diabetes
  • HAES (Health At Every Size)
  • High Blood Pressure
  • High Cholesterol
  • Intuitive Eating

Education:

B.S. Clinical Nutrition, UC Davis

Certificate in Dietetics, SFSU

Experience:

Jemimah takes a non-diet, intuitive eating-based, and Health at Every Size © approach to nutrition and health. She strives to deliver compassionate and evidence-based care to support her clients in making peace with and finding joy in food, movement, and their bodies. She also utilizes motivational interviewing in nutrition counseling to help clients discover their internal motivations for change and make informed, health-care decisions that align with their personal values. She is experienced in working with the adolescent eating disorders population at the residential level of care. In addition to her direct work with clients and families, Jemimah worked in collaboration with the client’s multi-disciplinary team to best support treatment. Furthermore, she also has experience working in preventative care (e.g., managing blood sugar, cholesterol, disordered eating habits, etc.) across the life span.

Jemimah continues her professional learning and growth by participating in individual and group case consultation and supervision, as well as classes and continuing education in the areas of nutrition, eating disorders, and counseling. Currently, she is working to become a Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor.

In her free time, Jemimah enjoys spending time with family and friends, baking, running, dancing, and relaxing at home.

 

Deb Buchanan, RDN (She/her)

Clients:

  • Teens age 13-19
  • Young Adults
  • Adults
  • Families
  • Seniors
  • Neurodiverse
  • LGBTQ+
  • ADHD

Specialties:

  • Sports Nutrition
    • Novices to Elite Athletes
    • Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S)
  • Eating Disorders
    • Anorexia Nervosa (AN)
    • Bulimia Nervosa (BN)
    • Binge Eating Disorder (BED)
    • Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder (OSFED)
    • Unspecified Feeding or Eating Disorder (UFED)
    • Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)
  • Child and Family Nutrition
  • Compulsive/Emotional Eating
  • Diabetes/Pre-Diabetes
  • HAES (Health At Every Size)
  • High Blood Pressure
  • High Cholesterol
  • IBS/GI issues
  • Intuitive Eating
  • Malnutrition
  • Non-Diet Approach
  • Weight Concerns

Education:                 

  • B.S. Nutritional Science w/concentration in Dietetics, San Jose State University
  • Internship completed at Vista Manor Nursing Center and Bay Area Nutrition
  • Personal Training Certification, San Diego State University

Experience:

Deb has been working in the nutrition and fitness fields for over 15 years.  In addition to being an RDN, Deb is a certified personal trainer and has 15 years of experience as a certified USAC cycling coach.  She has been working with and supporting clients who have various eating disorders along with their care team as a nutrition support mentor (i.e. recovery coach) and registered dietitian.  Deb is passionate in supporting clients’ relationship with food and body, while reducing anxiety around food and meals as well as ensuring clients have adequate nutrition for performance, health and well-being.

Deb also has a special interest in working with adults and seniors to help them improve any metabolic and malnutrition concerns to support their health and well-being.

As an avid weightlifter and cyclist, Deb has expertise and a passion for sports nutrition. Additionally, Deb takes a weight inclusive, non-diet approach to support client’s overall health and well-being.

Deb continues her professional learning and growth by participating in individual and group case consultation and supervision, as well as classes and continuing education in the area of athletics, nutrition, eating disorders, and counseling.

Administrative and Client Care Team

Savita Ghai & April Thomson