Ptarmigan Ridge, Mt Baker, WA

About Erica Van Mieghem, MS, RD, CD, CN

I grew up in a small mountain town in Colorado where I  learned the importance of family and community. From a young age I was inspired and fascinated with exploring different foods and cooking for family and friends. Due to my interest in chemistry and biology I pursued a major in the sciences starting at Seattle University, and then to University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS). I completed my Bachelor of Science degree with an emphasis in Health Care Sciences/Nutrition from UCCS. While in Colorado Springs I  completed an apprenticeship with the Teller county health department where I co-taught disease specific cooking classes, assisted in various nutrition health screening and co-authored various articles. I then traveled to Portland, OR to attend Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU). I completed a Masters of Science in Clinical Nutrition Research with a thesis focused on how the birth weight of the infant was affected by the mother experiencing food insecurity during pregnancy. During this period I was appointed as a Nutrition Trainee through the Leadership Education in Neurodevelopment and Related Disabilities (LEND) program at the Child Development and Rehabilitation Center (CDRC) in Portland, OR. My training with the LEND program focused on determining the specific dietary needs of children with disabilities and chronic conditions. I performed nutrition health screenings for high risk pre-school children and completed a research project evaluating measurement of growth among children born with cleft lip and cleft palate.

I completed a year and half dietetic internship at OHSU. My training was focused on a wide range of specialties. I rotated through, the Portland VA hospital, Doernbecher Children’s Hospital, various specialties at the OHSU hospital, Mount Angle Assisted Care Center, and Oregon Department of Public Health. I completed my formal training in 2008. If you would like to know more about the education requirements for an RD, please visit the The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Becoming_RD.

Prior to moving to Bellingham in July of 2012 I was a nanny in Seattle, WA. In addition to caring for the 3 young children I cooked many meals for the family and provided dietary consultations for the family. The nanny position was in addition to various nanny jobs I have had over a 12 year period while attending school. As a nanny I cared for children from the age of 3 months -16 years, which enhanced my knowledge, and insights to the workings of the family unit and the individual dietary needs of a wide variety of ages.

Through my education/training and through working with the families I nannied for, I gained a well-rounded perspective of the dietary challenges many individuals face. I hope to share my knowledge and provide educated, evidence based, nutrition consults for those who seek a better quality of life.

I started Erica Van Mieghem Nutrition Consulting in September 2012. I have gained so much education through working with hundreds of patients. My greatest humility as a nutrition practitioner has come through the strength I see in my clients.

In my spare time I enjoy being with my husband, my children, family, and friends; hiking, running, walking, biking, practicing yoga, camping, skiing, snowboarding, working in the yard, reading, cooking and experimenting with sprouting, dehydrating and fermenting foods and beverages of all kinds!! I strive to center everything I do around God and the Catholic faith. Daily prayer is an essential part of how I strengthen the communication with my vagus nerves.