Personalized Nutrition Care by a Registered Dietitian
Unlock better health with expert guidance tailored to your unique needs. Our Registered Dietitian offers comprehensive Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) designed to support your wellness journey, whether you’re managing a medical condition, aiming for a healthier lifestyle, or seeking lasting change through nutrition.
Our Services Include:
- Initial Nutrition Assessment
A one-on-one in-depth evaluation of your health history, dietary habits, lifestyle, and goals. This forms the foundation for a personalized nutrition plan. - Follow-Up Assessments
Ongoing sessions to monitor progress, adjust your plan as needed, and provide continued education, motivation, and accountability. - Group MNT Sessions
Interactive group sessions that provide education and support for individuals with similar health concerns. These sessions foster community and shared learning in a supportive environment. - Meal Planning Support
Practical guidance on building balanced, enjoyable meal plans tailored to your dietary needs, preferences, and lifestyle. - Weight Management Counseling
Evidence-based strategies to support sustainable weight loss or maintenance, with a focus on mindful eating, behavior change, and long-term success.
Insurance & Payment Options
We accept patients with eligible insurance coverage for Medical Nutrition Therapy. For those without coverage, all services are also available on a self-pay basis. We’re committed to making nutrition support accessible and will work with you to find the best approach.
Whether you’re dealing with a chronic condition, looking to improve your relationship with food, or striving for a healthier lifestyle, our dietitian is here to guide you every step of the way.
Meet ARA’s Registered Dietitian
Maggie Machaca is a Registered Dietitian and nutrition expert trained in clinical nutrition and nutrition counseling. Maggie earned her Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She then proceeded to complete her dietetic internship at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center in Baltimore, Maryland, where she received training in providing medical nutrition therapy, including outpatient nutrition counseling.
After receiving her Registered Dietitian credentials, she began working as the lead bariatric dietitian at a bariatric surgery and weight loss center in Tulsa, Oklahoma. After a few years in Tulsa, Maggie went on to complete her master’s in public health through the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. During her graduate studies, she concentrated on international nutrition and humanitarian health. Shortly after receiving her MPH degree, she worked for a few years in the international development sector.
Maggie is fluent in English and Portuguese and so is able to conduct appointments in either language. She also speaks some Spanish and French. Maggie is now thrilled to be returning to the field of outpatient nutrition counseling. She is excited to be a part of the team at Arthritis and Rheumatism Associates and looks forward to helping patients meet their nutrition goals.
Maggie is available to see patients in person at ARA’s Rockville 5 office on Mondays and Wednesdays, and virtually on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Don’t wait to embark on your personalized nutrition therapy journey—call 301.942.7600 today to schedule your appointment and take the first step towards a healthier you!
What is a Registered Dietitian? What is the difference between a Registered Dietitian and a nutritionist?
A Registered Dietitian has a bachelor’s degree from an accredited dietetics program as well as a master’s degree in nutrition or another related field like public health, has completed 1,000 hours of supervised practice, has passed a national exam, and to maintain their Registered Dietitian credential, must continue to educate themselves on new advancements in the nutrition sector by earning continuing education hours. A nutritionist may or may not have formal training, and in general, there are no formal requirements regarding who can or can’t use the title “nutritionist.” This differs from the credential “Registered Dietitian,” which is legally protected. Therefore, if you make an appointment with a Registered Dietitian, you can be sure that you are meeting with a nutrition expert who has the education and training to help you meet your nutrition goals.
Who may benefit from an appointment with a Registered Dietitian?
Registered Dietitians work with patients to help them meet their nutrition goals by providing them with specific, recommended eating patterns and tailored meal plans in order to improve their overall health and wellness. The following groups of people are those who may benefit the most from an appointment:
- Someone with a chronic disease that requires some kind of change to the diet to better manage the chronic disease, such as Type II diabetes, cardiovascular disease, or rheumatoid arthritis.
- Someone who is struggling to maintain a healthy weight and is interested in discussing ways to safely and gradually lose or gain weight;
- Someone who is concerned that their current diet is not providing adequate nutrition, such as a person with a recently diagnosed food allergy or other food restriction.
What should I expect to discuss with the Registered Dietitian during my appointment?
During your initial consultation, you will discuss your weight history and eating habits, as well as other factors that may affect your eating patterns, such as any food restrictions or environmental stresses. You’ll also discuss any chronic diseases you may have that may be better managed with a positive change to your diet. You’ll then discuss your overall nutrition goals and how to adjust your eating patterns to meet these goals. At the conclusion of your appointment, you will have a detailed plan and list of recommendations that you can begin to apply to meet your health goals.
What do I need to bring to my initial consultation?
Please remember to bring your insurance card, a photo ID, and a list of your current medications to your first appointment.
What can I do to prepare for my appointment?
While this is not a requirement, before your initial consultation with the Registered Dietitian, you may want to start keeping a record of what you eat and drink during the day to become more aware of your eating patterns before your appointment. This type of record is often called a “food log” and can be helpful to bring to your appointment in order to discuss specific dietary recommendations with the Registered Dietitian. While there are food tracking apps that you can download on your phone, often the easiest way to begin tracking your food is simply via a notebook or on a notes app on your phone. How to best track your food and drink intake will be discussed further at your initial appointment with the Registered Dietitian.
Interested in learning about ARA’s Wellness and Weight Loss Center? This service is designed to support ARA patients in their journey towards improved health. The program aims to provide access to effective weight loss treatments and medications for ARA patients dealing with obesity and related health conditions. ARA providers are committed to supporting their patients as they reduce medications, experience increased comfort during activities, and enjoy an overall improvement in well-being.