Open Arms of Minnesota

Nutrition

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Nutrition Services

Proper nutrition is important for everyone, but it becomes absolutely essential when you’re living with a serious illness. Good nutrition helps your body heal and repair itself, supports your immune system, and enables you to maintain a healthy weight.

We know that eating well while managing the complexities of a serious illness can be challenging, so Open Arms strives to make good nutrition easy and convenient for you. Read more about our food and find information on how our team of registered dietitians and dietetic technicians can help you below.

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Nutrition Education & COunseling

Our team of registered dietitians (RDs) and dietetic technicians (DTRs) help plan and approve the medically tailored meals you receive and are educated on the science-based nutrition needs of the many illnesses we serve. They are also trained to provide advice and counseling about diet, food, and nutrition. They each have completed at least a bachelor’s degree in nutrition and dietetics and have a combined 15+ years of experience.

What can the Open Arms RDs and DTRs do for you?
Here are just a few examples:

Free-of-Cost Nutrition Coaching

Open Arms RDs and DTRs are also available to provide one-on-one support while you’re on service. We want to help you reach your health goals! Here’s how the process works:

Step 1: Schedule Your First Call

Appointments with a RD or DTR can take place over the phone, virtually, or in person at one of our Open Arms locations in either Minneapolis or St. Paul. 

Step 2: Nutrition Assessment

This step involves a series of questions that give us a better idea of your health history, food likes/dislikes, current eating habits, and goals.

Step 3: Nutrition Education & Counseling

Dive into detail about a nutrition concern or health goal that’s most important to you. Written materials may be offered to help you apply new knowledge and strategies to benefit your overall health. You can schedule additional appointments for follow-up support or to discuss other topics.

Step 4: Provide Feedback & Get a Thank-You Gift

We value your feedback! If you complete and return our program evaluation survey, we will send you a free cookbook, Good and Cheap, by Leanne Brown.

Meet the Nutrition Team

Brianna Tobritzhofer, MS, RD, LD

Brianna is our Director of Nutrition Services and has been with Open Arms since 2016. Before working at Open Arms, she worked in a clinical and corporate wellness setting. She received her B.S. in Nutrition and Dietetics from the University of Wisconsin-Stout and completed her dietetic internship and Master’s Degree through Mount Mary University.

Rachel Jambois, RD, LD

Rachel has been with Open Arms of Minnesota since the beginning of 2019. Rachel received her B.S. in Dietetics from Minnesota State University, Mankato and completed her dietetic internship through Aramark Healthcare at Maple Grove Hospital and North Memorial Health Center. Previous to her position with Open Arms, Rachel worked in the inpatient clinical setting.

Jade Bryngelson, RD, LD

Jade has been with Open Arms of Minnesota since the beginning of 2019. She received her B.S. in Nutrition and Dietetics from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities and spent a year in Los Angeles completing her dietetic internship at various sites through Pepperdine University.

Kalley Hakes, RD, LD

Kalley joins us from Hy-Vee where she was a dietitian. Kalley completed both her undergraduate degree and her dietetic internship at Iowa State. She is originally from Minnesota, where she enjoys any opportunity to spend time at our beautiful lakes waterskiing! She also loves being in the kitchen and cooks up a mean black bean taco.

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Your Gift Will Help Us Serve More Clients!

Together we can continue to meet the increased demand for medically tailored meals with your support! We hope you think of us as you consider your year-end giving. Your donation is a gift of care, compassion, and encouragement!