First Post! An About Me & My Journey

Hey Y'all! This adventure is exciting and nerve-racking at the same time. I've been playing with the idea of offering my services as a nutrition professional for some time but never built up the courage to actually take the time to do it. There are lots of doubts that go through your mind: Is my advice even helpful? Can I explain important nutrition concepts effectively? Essentially, "Do I have what it takes?". I've decided that you don't know until you give it a try!

If you don't already know, my name is Raul Palacios and I am a Registered Dietitian (RD) AKA Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN). The two credentials can be used interchangeably. What is that you may ask? I like to first answer that question by saying I am not not just a nutritionist. Literally anybody can cal themselves a nutritionist. That title holds no ground but the title of RD or RDN does! In order to call myself a Registered Dietitian I had finished my undergraduate degree in Nutrition & Dietetics @ Texas Tech University. I was then accepted into a dietetic internship where I shadowed other Dietitians in the West Texas area for ~9 months. It was basically a full-time job but without the pay while also completing a Master's program at the same time.. Even after my internship process was finished I had to sit for a national exam to finally earn the title of RD. There is a similar description at the bottom of the main page that more clearly explains the differences between nutritionists and RD's.

Now enough of that. I grew up in El Paso, Texas where I met my wife Ashley.

We've been married since June 2017, so we are almost celebrating our first year! She is an Executive Assistant to one of the pastors of the church we attend. She is funny, beautiful, and one of the most caring people I know. She has encouraged me that if I want to do this whole thing, then just go for it. Thank you Ash. We are Crossfitter's at one of our local box's and we absolutely love it! The community is so encouraging! I've especially enjoyed the opportunity to practice some of those sports nutrition principles in action that I spent so much time studying.

My goal for Palacios Nutrition Counseling is to provide you with the resources and knowledge necessary to succeed! I am a research junkie always trying my best to see what the latest science says about mainstream nutrition recommendations. Contrary to popular opinion, nutrition is not an opinion but a science. It is biochemistry in epic action. I am also an avid believer that there is no one-size-fits-all diet. Nutrition HAS to be individualized. It is okay to have preferences, I will work with you as should any Dietitian. The journey to excellent nutrition may be a few miles for some but thousands for other's. Regardless the journey begins with one step, lets take it together.

Thank you for taking the time to read this long and boring post as I try to find my "voice" through this avenue. You are too kind. I look forward to working alongside you.

Sincerely,

Raul Palacios MS,RDN

Palacios Nutrition Counseling.