Introducing Karina Almanza RDN

Oh, hey!

Thank you so much for stopping by and getting to know me a little better. The rumors are true, I’ve recently had the pleasure of being onboarded as a partner with Pacific Nutrition Partners!

My name is Karina Almanza, I am a Spanish-speaking, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, certified as a Diabetes Care and Education Specialist. I additionally am trained with Monash University for IBS management, with Cornell University in Plant Based Eating, and with EDRD Pro for applying Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) for eating disorders. I accept Anthem-insured members and out-of-pocket clients.

As a practitioner, I have a passion for learning and reminding myself that even though I have years of schooling under my belt and letters after my name, I don’t know it all and am open to learning more.

 I was born and raised in Los Angeles, California, where I completed most of my undergraduate classes with the intention of becoming a veterinarian. My first introduction to nutrition as a possible career path was with Moorpark College, where I took a nutrition class facilitated by a Registered Dietitian. 

I went on to complete my Bachelor’s of Science with University of California, Davis. My first year as a transfer student at UC Davis, I majored in Animal Sciences with an emphasis in Animal Nutrition. After completing an internship abroad in Costa Rica and Nicaragua, where I was able to get hands-on experience with spay and neuter surgeries, I quickly realized that a career as a veterinarian didn’t align with my values and goals.

Going back to the drawing board, I listened to the other constant love and interest I’ve had, which was and continues to be nutrition. 

I completed my Bachelor’s of Science in Clinical Nutrition in 2017, went on to complete my Master’s in Human Nutrition and Dietetic Internship with California State University, Northridge in 2019, and the rest is history!

I am proud to say I have been a full-time, Outpatient Dietitian for 5 years with Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in Los Angeles, California. In this line of work, I have learned, practiced, and built extreme confidence in promoting behavior change through motivational interviewing. Some of my favorite parts about the work I do with Kaiser include facilitating adult weight management classes and programs. 

Transitioning into my role as a dietitian in a private practice, I’m honored to be a part of the wonderful team of dietitians in Pacific Nutrition Partners (PNP). In the year since becoming a partner, I have learned so much about myself and what distinguishes me as a practitioner and dietitian.

One of the main differences between my work as an Outpatient Dietitian and working with a private practice like PNP is how often I can meet with clients. When I do one-on-one consultations with my members at Kaiser, there is a real possibility that I might never see them again. Whereas my work with PNP allows me to meet with clients weekly!

It has been particularly rewarding to see the stages of change happen in real time while helping my clients navigate through changing desires, motives, and goals.

My favorite types of consultations are ones where I do not have to tell clients “what to do.” A big part of my approach is the belief that most answers are found within the individual. There is not a nutrition knowledge deficit in our country (or the world!). If anything, we know too much.

“You cannot teach a man anything; you can only help him find it within himself.” 

- Galileo

It is because of my desire to help clients transform into the versions of themselves they feel happiest with, that I do not tell people what to eat nor promote temporary strategies, such as meal plans and diets for adult weight management. Instead, we focus on discovering what brings you joy in life and how to navigate negative thought distortions, while promoting radical self-acceptance and developing dialectical skills that promote kindness and curiosity. 

I find a lot of clients I work with have such a complicated relationship with food, and it usually makes their relationship with themselves complicated too.

If you are managing clinically diagnosed conditions (such as prediabetes, diabetes, PCOS, IBS, etc), I will tailor nutrition therapy recommendations to build the foundation for a lifestyle (not a diet) that works best for you.

As a person, if you know me, you know I have a lot of love for people and others. It’s a big part of my identity and something that has come up along the way while working with Pacific Nutrition Partners is that meeting more regularly with clients has opened up the opportunity for me to provide the care I have, more consistently.

I am elated to be part of this partnership and will continue to learn about myself along the way. 

Please don’t be a stranger if you’d like to connect with me or have any questions! Thank you for taking the time to stop by our website and read my blog.