373 Highland Avenue, Suite 201ABOUT
Barbara Ruhs, MS, RD, LDN
Barbara Ruhs is your Neighborhood Nutritionist. Barbara’s passion for nutrition was influenced by her own weight struggles as a child. It was a love for the game of tennis that had a strong influence on the development of her lifelong healthy eating and fitness habits.
After completing a bachelor’s degree in nutrition & dietetics from Cornell University, she pursued a Master’s degree in Nutrition from Boston University. Her dietetic internship was completed at Boston City Hospital. A lifelong learner, she pursued graduate studies in psychology at Harvard University until she re-located to the southwest in 2008.
Barbara began her career in dietetics as the State Coordinator of Nutrition Education for Massachusetts Child Nutrition Programs (USDA School Meal Programs). This experience planted the seed for a life-long commitment to improving public health. She started Neighborhood Nutrition in 1998 while living in Cambridge, Massachusetts and working as a sports nutritionist for Wellesley and Babson College. During this time, Neighborhood Nutrition quickly developed into a thriving private-practice where she developed a niche working with clientele struggling with eating, body image and a balanced approach to exercise. She was a nutrition therapist and sports nutritionist at Harvard University during this time.
After more than a decade in Boston, Barbara took a step away from the day-to-day of individual counseling to pursue a career in the food industry. This decision was fueled by the increasing number of individuals whom she witnessed struggling with severe eating disorders. Her ultimate goal: To have a global impact on what and how we eat in America. Stay tuned!
Sarah McAllister, MS, RD, LDN
Sarah became interested in nutrition and health while studying classical vocal performance. At the time, she enjoyed sharing her love of cooking with friends and family. Her interest in food and health grew with her appreciation of the body as an instrument.
Sarah decided to pursue a future in nutrition, and received her Master of Science in Nutrition at Boston University. She started her dietetics career in a Boston area hospital, and found that she most enjoyed the time spent with patients.
Sarah joined Neighborhood Nutrition in spring 2008 where she enjoys counseling men and women of all ages. Using a non diet approach, Sarah feels it is possible to enjoy all foods and to be your best self. Her passion is promoting a healthy relationship with food and nourishing the body. Sarah has written for Women’s Day Magazine and has been invited to speak for Boston area businesses and non-profit organizations.
Sarah is currently the Nutrition Practice Manager for the Boston-based Neighborhood Nutrition office.
Karen Palmer Wiczyncki, MS, RD, LDN
Karen became interested in nutrition through her passion for the culinary arts. She completed her Bachelors of Science at the University of Rhode Island and her Masters of Science in Nutrition at Tufts University. She also completed the Adolescent Nutrition Fellowship at Children’s Hospital Boston focusing on eating disorders and obesity. Her background includes working at day and evening eating disorder program treatment facilities and individual clinical nutrition therapy with children, adolescents and adults including disordered eating, obesity, surgical weight loss and feeding issues associated with special needs patients. Karen believes in using an individualized approach to create a healthful relationship with food. She enjoys helping individuals understand nutrition that in turn impacts and empowers the individual to make mindful and informed lifestyle modifications.
