Rifqa Dacloush, RDN, LDN, MBA is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist with a global perspective and a deep belief in food is/as medicine. With nearly 30 years of experience in Mediterranean–Middle Eastern cooking and several years of organic gardening, she brings a rich blend of culture, culinary tradition, and whole-food nourishment to her work. With a multidisciplinary background in Nutrition, Business, and Archaeology, Rifqa integrates science, culture, and culinary creativity into her practice. Her interests include culinary medicine, integrative and functional medicine, and using media as a tool for education and meaningful connection.

With a focus on whole-body well-being, Rifqa draws inspiration from the soil to the table, sharing seasonal recipes, gardening wisdom, and a lifestyle centered on wholesome, whole-food nourishment.

Tune in for a meaningful conversation with special guest Judith Rodriguez, one of the founders of LAHIDAN (Latinos & Hispanics in Dietetics & Nutrition), who recently spoke at the LAHIDAN event during FNCE 2025. Hear her insights on how IDEA principles are now shaping the future of nutrition and dietetics. 

Links

Dr. Judith Rodriguez Resources & Publications

DIFM Website: Log into your Eat Right Account and if not a member sign up here! You get EXAMIN & The Natural Medicine Data Base when you become a member! Join DIFM

Social Media:

IG https://www.instagram.com/integrativerdn/

Linkedin

https://www.linkedin.com/groups/4881217/

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/integrativerd/mentions/?_rdr

Upcoming Webinar: Join us for a DIFM LUNCH 'n LEARN on Wednesday, October 22, 2025 10AM Pacific/1PM Eastern Strategies for optimizing weight health in patients coming off GLP-1 agonists presented by Dr. Edward Walker, PhD, and Ashley Koff, RD- Register Here

FNCE 2025 Sponsor: The Akkermansia Company

Enjoy this episode with Denee Bex, MPH, RD, CDCES, an award-winning registered dietitian and owner of Tumbleweed Nutrition.  

Through Tumbleweed Nutrition, Denee works to celebrate cultural foods, partner with local Native-owned farms, and increase food access in tribal communities. She shares her passion for integrating indigenous foods into healthcare and the importance of building relationships with community partners. Denee also provides insights into traditional foods like blue corn and their significance in Native culture.

Don't miss this inspiring episode that sheds light on the intersection of nutrition, culture, and Native American community. 

Website: tumbleweednutrition.com

Instagram: @tumbleweed_nutrition; link: https://www.instagram.com/tumbleweed_nutrition/

LinkedIn URL: https://www.linkedin.com/in/denee-bex-mph-rd-ld-cdces-701b68136

Facebook: Tumbleweed Nutrition; link: https://www.facebook.com/TumbleweedNutrition/

Email: [email protected]

Join us as we welcome Aarthi Pauldass, an IT professional turned registered dietitian and breathwork coach.

Aarthi's holistic approach towards wellness focuses on treating patients through the root cause of their symptoms, one of which is stress management through breathwork. Through this podcast, Arthi introduces us to three distinct breathing techniques for various parts of the day. Listen in and discover how these breathing techniques can help your patients to manage stress, improve sleep, and induce an overall state of well-being.

Welcome to an enriching episode of The Integrative Ideas in Nutrition podcast where we delve into the fascinating journey of Amber Alexis; a public health nutritionist and registered dietitian based in Trinidad and Tobago.

Our guest shares personal experiences and memories around traditional Caribbean foodways, shedding light on how regional dishes, ingredients, and cooking styles significantly impact her nutritional counseling.

The episode further highlights our guest's innovative work where she integrates traditional cultural diets and modern nutrition science. Alexis elaborates on her mission to breakdown and highlight the nutritional properties of local foods and discusses her process for adapting evidence-based studies informed by integrated functional nutrition principles.

We also delve into the importance of open dialogue with clients in understanding their food traditions and dietary habits, fostering a stronger client-dietitian relationship that promotes comprehensive and personalized nutritional advice.

Website: https://www.theculturaldietitian.com

Lorena Drago, MS, RD, CDN, CDE, is a registered dietitian, consultant and certified diabetes care and education specialist. In this episode, she discusses how her career developed to fill a void in providing culturally-sensitive nutrition care for Hispanic individuals. 

Website: https://lorenadrago.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lorenadragomsrd/?hl=en

Video demo: https://bit.ly/_chanoyu

-Michi Nutrition, LLC: https://michinutrition.com/

-Ippodo Tea: https://ippodotea.com/

-Urasenke Chado: https://www.urasenke.or.jp/texte/

Pamela Malo, MHS, RD, KYT speaks with us about her mind-body approach to nutrition, and provides guidance for creating your own personal professional path. 

Website: https://www.pamelamalo.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/northstar_nutrition/?hl=en

Aminah Ghaffar joins us to discuss the value of indigenous and knowledge-based healing traditions within the Native American community, sharing strategies for how to learn from indigenous knowledge while honoring the human source.