Rachel Hilts, Registered Dietitian (she/her)

Hi, I'm Rachel! I'm a Registered Dietitian based in Halifax, Nova Scotia, with a passion for helping people navigate the often confusing world of nutrition — especially when it comes to reproductive and hormonal health and their relationship with food.

My path to dietetics brought together many of the things I had always been interested in: the science of nutrition, our personal and emotional relationships with food, and the broader social and environmental factors that shape health. During my dietetic training, I became particularly interested in the first 1,000 days (the period from pregnancy through a child's second year) and how nutrition and health during this relatively short window can influence health and development across the lifespan. Learning about this sparked my interest in reproductive health, and looking more closely at fertility and preconception health was a natural progression.

Today, I enjoy working with people who are navigating fertility, pregnancy, menstrual or hormonal concerns, or health conditions such as PMOS/PCOS, endometriosis, or hypothalamic amenorrhea. I also work with people who simply want support making sense of nutrition without the overwhelm, guilt, or conflicting messages that can come with trying to figure it out on their own.

Outside of nutrition, I love reading, playing video games, spending time by the water, and exploring new places with my partner. I'm also a proud cat mom to Biggie Smalls and Raekwon.

A little bit about how I got here

Before becoming a dietitian, I actually thought I might work in animal nutrition! My dad was a veterinarian, and I grew up spending time in veterinary clinics, so animals and science were a big part of my early interests. I even took some courses in animal nutrition before eventually realizing that human nutrition and dietetics brought together so many of the things I was interested in.

My approach to nutrition care

I believe nutrition care should support your health without coming at the expense of your relationship with food, your body, or your quality of life. My approach is weight-inclusive, evidence-based, and collaborative, drawing on principles of intuitive and mindful eating while recognizing that nutrition needs and goals are different for everyone.

Rather than following a one-size-fits-all approach, we'll consider your health history, preferences, values, circumstances, and goals to develop recommendations that are realistic and meaningful for you. I aim to provide a space where you can ask questions, understand the reasoning behind nutrition recommendations, and actively participate in decisions about your care.

I strive to provide inclusive, respectful, and neurodiversity-affirming care where you can feel comfortable bringing your whole self to nutrition counselling. I recognize that health and nutrition are influenced by much more than individual choices, and that there is no single “right” way to eat, move, experience your body, or approach health.

My goal isn't to simply hand you a meal plan and send you on your way. Instead, we'll work together to build the knowledge, skills, and confidence you need to navigate nutrition in a way that supports your health and fits your life.