“We need to think of food as part of
your medical plan. It’s another approach
to wellness.”
A long-time interest in healthy eating
and nutrition led Registered Dietitian Kari
Mizgalski to pursue a career in dietetics.
As a dietitian, she is specially trained
to provide nutrition education,
including guidance on diabetes, weight
management and management of
chronic conditions such as cardiac
disease, chronic kidney disease,
gastrointestinal diseases, cancer
treatment and tube feeding.
“I try to treat every person to his or
her specific lifestyle and needs,” said
Mizgalski, who was a hospital dietitian
for seven years. She enjoys getting to
know her patients in a clinical setting,
from toddler age through the elderly.
“We talk about ways to modify cooking,
healthy eating and meal planning and how to plan menus around a busy
lifestyle. Family members are always
welcome to join the appointments.”
She stresses that diet should not be
viewed as a restrictive or special plan,
but rather “a way of living your life, so all
foods can fit. We just need to eat healthy
the majority of the time.”
Mizgalski received her bachelor’s
degree in dietetics from the University
of Wisconsin-Madison, and completed
a certified dietetics internship at the
University of Iowa Hospitals, Iowa City.
She is a diabetes educator, and is excited
to work with diabetes patients of all ages.
She and her husband, Drew, have a
son and daughter. In her spare time,
she enjoys walking, swimming, doing
outdoor activities with her family and
testing new recipes.