About Me

Hi, I Am D'Nae Baker

I am a Registered Dietitian and trained Chef with a passion for the art of food and nutrition specializing in healthy eating, healthy cooking, and mind-body health. My culinary philosophy and passion reflects the growing trend towards a healthier and down to earth lifestyle. My preference is to allow the natural flavors of food to express themselves.

My nutrition passion emphasizes the preparation of healthy meals through taking the time to research the best foods for health problems in a world that is increasingly plagued with preventable diseases directly related to diet.

I’ve worked with private and corporate clients to help themselves or their employees create the right plan for living a healthy lifestyle in a realistic way. Whether I’m working one-on-one, giving a corporate health seminar, working alongside restaurant executives and chefs, providing nutrition education in the classrooms, or teaching a cooking class, I have the unique ability to guide people to reach their optimum health and energy levels, enabling them to lead better lives.

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ABOUT D'NAE BAKER

My Story

I started to become interested in food at a very young age when my mom was diagnosed with colon cancer at the tender age of 30. Caught in the early stage of diagnosis, she underwent chemotherapy and radiation which lasted a course of several months. The journey to recovery was challenging for both her and I – and as the only child, I took the initiative to help as much as I could. This included learning how to cook.

My inspiration and culinary creativity and passion started with experimenting with simple ingredients and driven by the excitement of turning new and imaginative ideas into delicious and eye-catching dishes. After completing my Associate of Science in Culinary Arts and Bachelor of Science in Food Service Management from Johnson and Wales University, I developed a profound interest in nutrition and how food is directly related to your health. Following my passion for food and nutrition, I continued my studies and pursued a Bachelor of science in Culinary Nutrition and Clinical Dietetics. While working as a Dietary Sous Chef for one of the largest foodservice companies in the USA, I had the opportunity to complete a dietetic internship where I trained under dedicated professional dietetic leadership and gain practical experience in a variety of healthcare settings.

Also faced with health concerns, I spent most of my youth and adult life struggling with chronic digestive issues. Born with a rare condition called Gastroschises, which is an abdominal wall defect where part of the intestines spill into the amniotic fluid through a hole in the abdominal wall resulting in my bowels being outside of my stomach. This resulted in having problems with nursing and eating as an infant, digestion of food, and absorption of nutrients into my adult life.

Even though I’d noticed how my body reacted to certain foods, I never made the connection between dietary choices and illness. Nutrition wasn’t even a thought, or a question. By simply changing my diet, the health issues I had battle my whole life became manageable. I became fascinated with the remarkable healing properties of food and nutrition, and I knew then I wanted to help people in similar ways. This is the inspiration for DNA360 Wellness.

My Philosophy

My philosophy is based on the concept of food as medicine. Real and wholesome food is a powerful tool to nourish, fuel, and restore your body. It is focused on finding the solution for the unique person, not a “formula for the masses,” by helping people find a healthy way of life while developing a healthy relationship with food. Through implementing the principle of nutrition, along with embracing an active lifestyle, I use an individualized pragmatic approach to create a nutrition plan that will empower you to achieve optimal health, in a sensible and practical way.

MY EDUCATION

Johnson & Wales University. S Culinary Nutrition and Clinical Dietetics
Johnson & Wales University. S Food Service management with a focus on Event Management
Johnson & Wales University. S Culinary Arts

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND ACHIEVEMENTS

Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND)
The Georgia Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (CAND)
Certified LEAP Therapist (CLT)
Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)
Licensed Dietitian Nutritionist