Emily Cheatham, RD

I've always been fascinated with nutrition my whole life. I remember at a young age thinking our food never moved through our bodies. I thought our body just filled with food and when your body was filled to the top, that's when you died (as in your body had enough storage to last you throughout your life and that's just what happened when we get old). I vividly remember thinking, "hmm, okay if I'm six years old right now and I have to last to be about 80-90 years old) my food is probably at the tips of my toes still". Don't worry though, I've learned how it actually works 

As a child/teen, I had always put a lot of thought into my food. I would always be so fascinated and curious with what it was doing in my body and how we need different nutrients for different bodily functions.

Fast forward to right after high school graduation. I had no clue what kind of career I wanted, so I found myself at the SRJC taking general ed classes, one of those being basic nutrition. I found myself so in love with this class, I was actually looking forward to getting up and going to school on days I had my nutrition class. This is where I actually realized I've always been intrigued by food and how it pays a role in our bodies and I was meant to work some where in this field.

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I went to Sacramento State University where I graduated cum laude with my bachelors degree in nutrition with a dietetic emphasis. I completed my internship in March 2023 through Golden Gate Dietetic Internship. I then got a job at Adventist Health Ukiah Valley as a registered dietitian in April of 2023. I had been working at Kaiser Permanente Santa Rosa in the kitchen serving patients meals through out college. When I finished my internship April 2023, a dietitian position became available at Kaiser. Suddenly I had two RD jobs, but still had not sat for the board exam. I then began working at both hospitals as well as studying for my RD boards (you can work for up to 6 months while studying for the licensure exam). I passed the exam in June of 2023. I now work per diem at Adventist Health Ukiah Valley, Kaiser Permanente Santa Rosa, and Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital.

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I decided to start my own private practice because I’ve found myself in so many situations where people are looking for individualized nutrition education and guidance. I love my job and I’m beyond happy to answer questions and give people in my life nutrition education that they need/ want. But I’ve realized that people are looking for more direction than a casual conversation in passing. People in my life are looking for ongoing personalized nutrition information and guidance. As I already have 3 jobs, I don’t have much extra time to dedicate towards helping people casually, and people aren't looking for casual Information. I decided it was time to fill this gap and open my own private practice. I love what I do (and I don’t mean to sound arrogant, but honestly I am darn good at it) so I want to help people build a healthier lifestyle.