HHM Feature: Zariel Grullón, RDN, CDN

In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, we're highlighting some incredible Hispanic and/or Latine RD's and their contributions to the field of dietetics. See the latest feature below and stay tuned for more highlights this month.

Meet Zariel!

Zariel is a bilingual non-diet dietitian and nutrition communicator, currently residing in Laredo, Texas (formerly NYC). In her work, she empowers individuals to heal their connection with themselves, embrace their cultural foods, and foster a loving relationship with their bodies, including their "chichos." Zariel is the founder of @loveyourchichos and provides nutrition counseling services through @your.latina.nutritionist.

Q&A with Zariel

Why is it important to have a dietitian that understands your culture?

It's really important to have a dietitian who "gets" your culture. When they understand your food traditions and cultural subtleties, it just makes it so much easier to talk about and work on goals and habits that contribute to your healing on a much more personal level. Also it's fun!

In what ways do you celebrate your heritage?

I love learning through education - you can never get enough, especially when it comes to the complexities of Latinidad, there's so much to learn and unlearn about our heritage. Cooking and exploring our cultural foods is another way I enjoy celebrating. Our foods, they're not just tasty; they're steeped in rich, meaningful history. That's how I connect and celebrate my heritage.

Why did you choose to become a dietitian?

I chose to become a dietitian because of the incredible women in my family. Watching them navigate, prevent, and sometimes succumb to health conditions where nutrition and healthcare accessibility were critical, deeply influenced my path. It's because of them that I find immense joy in making nutrition more accessible as a Latina dietitian.

How do you give back to your community?

I'm passionate about giving back to my community by shedding light on the realities of our world and sharing the transparency of my journey, both professionally and personally. I believe that many of us navigate academic and health spaces without clear guidance, and I strive to be as open as possible to assist others along the way.

Check Out Zariel’s Resources:

stephanie mendez