Jen Rabung, RD, RYT, CEDS

Helping you feel more comfortable in your skin, one meal at a time.

About Me

About Me

Hello and welcome! My name is Jen and I’m delighted you are here. Salatino Nutrition was created out of a passion to help all individuals struggling with an eating disorder, including those with intellectual and developmental disorders.

How did I get here? In 2008 my life took an unexpected turn. I was happy and successful in a career as a software consulting project manager, but it did not invigorate me. I was using my free time to study nutrition topics. I have always had a passion for food and cooking, but I had some interesting nutritional challenges in my own family that fascinated me. The effort became an obsession. Popular nutrition literature is full of sensationalism and half-truths. What’s the right diet? Gluten-Free? Casein Free? Preservatives? Food Dyes? What should we do? I had to learn the science so I could understand the issues and research. One day my amazing husband said to me, "Why don't you make a career out of your nutrition studies? It’s what you love!” Without hesitation, I went back to school and found the answers I needed to start helping others. I knew I wouldn’t likely make a disability completely resolve itself, but I could at least find ways to help make others feel more comfortable in their skin. Fast forward a years of research, degrees, internships, board exams, and experience. Here I am, a certified eating disorder specialist, ready and eager to help all individuals struggling with an eating disorder. The passion is there.

Curious to learn a little more? Here's a peek at my happy list:

  • YOGA - I have been teaching yoga to adults and kids since 2015. Observing the peace and calm that resonates in a class is extremely gratifying.
  • FOOD - I love cooking for anyone that walks in my door. Even if a meal doesn’t come out perfectly, the experience of filling the bellies of loved ones gathered at a table is very satisfying. Also experiencing new foods and cultures with my family is truly rewarding.
  • LAUGHTER - I love to laugh and make people laugh. Who doesn’t love a good belly laugh?
  • Simply put, I love to bring peace of mind, comfort with food, and moments of joy to others.

Philosophy

Philosophy

Salatino, which means “pretzel” in Italian, is the perfect symbol to represent my philosophy and, frankly, my personality.

  • I believe everyone is unique and deserves to be treated as such.
  • I believe we can eat all foods (including pretzels) and be healthy.
  • I believe our society is teaching our young ones the wrong messages about food and nutrition.
  • I believe we can be healthy in bigger bodies.
  • I believe having an eating disorder is traumatic.
  • I believe in being trauma-informed.
  • I believe eating disorders affect every gender, race, and ethnicity.
  • I believe diets can send the wrong messages and typically do not work.
  • I believe in educating clients on nutrition, and why our bodies need certain nutrients.
  • I believe yoga can be a wonderful tool to help bring emotional and physical balance to one’s life.
  • I believe any kind of movement can support our health: yoga, gardening, swimming, walking, any
  • movement that brings one joy.
  • I believe eating should be a joyful experience.
  • I believe in a team approach to support clients where appropriate, leveraging experts in psychology, medicine as well as nutrition.
  • I believe we can and should eat foods that bring us joy.
  • I believe it is a privilege and honor to support others on their nutritional journey.

So what about my pretzel personality? Once you get to know me you will quickly learn, I love to laugh and make others laugh. I can be silly. I can also be soft and supportive, and yet firm in my approach. And of course, I love yoga. I love how twisting into asanas supports my mind and body. It is a joy that brings me great peace, a peace I love to share with others.

My Practice

My Practice

Most appointments are conducted virtually over a secure telehealth platform. However, I am happy to meet in person at a public location, such as a library or coffee shop, if you are within the Richmond metropolitan area. I’ve also been known to come to homes as well.

I currently do not participate with insurance companies. However, I can provide you with a helpful tool to navigate a call with your insurance company, to see if you qualify for reimbursement for my services.

My Services

My Services

Eating Disorders

A Certified Eating Disorders Specialist, I treat all individuals struggling with:

  • Anorexia Nervosa
  • Bulimia Nervosa
  • Binge Eating Disorder
  • ARFID (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder)
  • Pica
  • Rumination Disorder
  • Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder
  • Unspecified Feeding or Eating Disorder
Eating Disorders often coincide with other medical and health concerns, including Anxiety, ADHD, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, trauma, and Autism Spectrum Disorder. With a particular interest in ARFID, trauma, and neurodiversity effects on disordered eating, I encourage a team approach to support clients. This means I will work with your physician, therapist or psychiatrist, and/or a speech-language pathologist - your team! I will incorporate various therapeutic modalities and philosophies that support you, the unique you.

Yoga

A Registered Yoga Teacher, I generate and conduct classes at the YMCA as well as for individual clients. I am happy to guide you through asanas (poses), pranayama (breathwork), and/or meditation. I feel strongly that yoga helps develop our interoceptive skills, to bring back awareness to our bodies that, sadly, is often hindered by society’s messages and traumatic events. My typical classes include Hatha, Vinyasa, Restorative, and/or a combination of the three. Using yoga to help treat eating disorders, I have found to be a very supportive tool.

Educational Services

Cooking, Meal Planning, and/or Grocery Store Tours - It is no surprise with our current world that many are not comfortable with preparing food for ourselves. It brings me great joy to share with others how to do it. I am happy to provide cooking or meal planning lessons, as well as grocery store tours, all while helping you understand the basics of nutrition and a balanced lifestyle. My goal is to guide and educate, so you or your loved ones feel more comfortable, cooking in the kitchen or buying groceries on a budget, one meal at a time.

Presentations - I am available to present to your colleagues, schools, or classrooms the following nutrition topics:

  • Nutrition basics
  • Why family mealtime is so important
  • Nutrition for kids (infants, toddlers, tweens, or teens) and adults
  • Eating Disorders
  • Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder
  • Incorporating Yoga into Nutrition Therapy

Anonymous Client

You enabled me to be comfortable in my own body. I don't ever remember feeling that before. I don't know how you understand me, but you do.

Anonymous Client

I think you have a gift at helping others...it’s an Art.

Anonymous Client

Thank you for always honoring me with your love and light.

Attendee

It was an honor to be in the audience for your presentation…I learned so much about ARFID and love seeing the passion behind the work that you do.

Attendee

It is an honor and privilege to be in your class.

Anonymous Client

Thank you for your magic.

Contact Me

Contact Me

Interested in learning more? Want to see if an initial consultation is the right next move? Contact Jen to schedule a (free) Discovery call. Contact Jen

Ready to book your first 60 minute consultation? Book now

Email Me

jen@salatinonutrition.com

Call Me

(804) 359-1155