My passion for nutrition began in Hawai'i, where I grew up in a diverse culture surrounded by the spirit of Aloha. When my grandmother suffered from type 2 Diabetes, I didn't realize how diet and exercise played a role in both prevention and disease management. After understanding how food and exercise are tied together I set on this journey to becoming a registered dietitian nutritionist. The problem I found, was access to high-quality health professionals who change the behaviors of the public. I want to play a role in providing the best evidence-based information that is accessible, understandable, and high-quality and that will empower a positive lifestyle.
Jonathan Valdez, RDN, CDE, CPT is a registered dietitian nutritionist. He currently works with a health insurance company in Managed Long-Term Care, counseling telephonically. Valdez runs his own private practice, Genki Nutrition, which specializes in nutrition communications, consulting, and wellness. Valdez also serves as the food director and assistant photographer for the premium lifestyle magazine, Guild Magazine. Before becoming a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, he was a Diet Technician, where he won Recognized Dietetic Technician of the Year in Hawai'i and then in Illinois.
Valdez is also the New York City and Long Island Media Rep for the New York State Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics while working in various capacities for commodities assisting with marketing strategies and crisis management. When not helping with nutrition communications, he is developing plant-based recipes for clients.
Valdez has been featured in Askmen.com, Byrdie, Food Network, Huffington Post, Business Insider, Shape Magazine, Women's Health, and Daily Mail.
Jonathan Valdez received his bachelor of science in food science and human nutrition at the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, and he continued his education for his dietetic internship and Master of Business Administration at the Brennan School of Business at Dominican University in Chicago, Illinois. During his studies, he traveled to Perú and South Africa where he gained an appreciation of different cultures and made nutrition both understandable and accessible to all walks of life.
He is a board certified specialist in Gerontological Nutrition, Certified Dietitian Nutritionist, Board Certified Case Manager, Certified Diabetes Educator, and American Council on Exercise Certified Personal Trainer.
Verywell Fit is an award-winning online resource that empowers you to reach your diet and fitness goals. We take a human approach to health and wellness content and reach more than 120 million readers annually.
Our editorial team includes writers, editors, and fact checkers who make sure our information is clear, accurate, and aligned with our core values so you can make confident choices for your life.
Our writers are notable voices in their respective disciplines, including registered dietitians, certified personal trainers, fitness coaches, board-certified physicians, and health journalists. These individuals are specifically selected for their extensive knowledge and real-world experience, as well as their ability to communicate complex information in a clear, helpful, and unbiased way.
Our team of qualified and experienced fact checkers provide a critical step in our commitment to content integrity. Fact checkers rigorously review articles for accuracy, relevance, and timeliness. We use only the most current and reputable primary references, including peer-reviewed medical journals, government organizations, academic institutions, and advocacy associations.