Chelsea Capelo, MBA, RDN, LD
Clinical Dietitian
Luby’s Culinary Services
Meet Chelsea Capelo: A Dedicated Dietitian and Sports Enthusiast
In this edition of Employee Spotlight, we’re taking a closer look at Chelsea Capelo, our committed dietitian, who has a strong passion and dedication towards health and nutrition. Chelsea completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Houston and her graduate studies at Texas Woman’s University.
Chelsea’s Journey to Becoming a Passionate Dietitian
Chelsea’s journey to becoming a passionate dietitian began with a love for science and a deep curiosity about the impact of nutrition on our health. Chelsea volunteered at Memorial Hermann during her undergraduate years to gain insights into healthcare. It was there that she discovered her passion for helping diabetic patients and empowering them with nutritional knowledge to support their recovery.
Chelsea’s Role as a Hospital Dietitian
As a hospital dietitian, Chelsea’s primary responsibility is to provide medical nutrition therapy (MNT) to patients and determine their best care plan. She understands that every patient is unique and requires personalized treatment. Chelsea emphasizes that “food is medicine,” and what we eat affects our energy levels, immune system, and the speed at which our wounds heal. Adequate nutrition can also help reduce the side effects of medications and promote healing during hospitalization.
Role of a Dietitian in a non-clinical setting
On the other hand, in a non-hospital environment, dietitians can play various roles. They are nutrition experts and may focus on certain medical conditions, government regulations, or other areas of consumer health where nutrition impacts. Dietitian roles can vary from food service to creating patient menus, community health, grocery stores, nutrition informatics, and retail menu labeling, to name a few.
Discovering New Knowledge Every Day
One of the things she loves the most about her job is the opportunity to learn something new every day. She interacts with patients and other hospital staff, and through these interactions, she gains new knowledge regularly. She understands that every patient is different and requires personalized treatment. As she puts it, “Each patient is unique, and their treatment needs vary accordingly.”
Challenges Faced as a Dietitian
As a hospital dietitian, Chelsea faces challenges when patients are reluctant to make necessary lifestyle changes to their diets. Patients sometimes refuse to make these changes, leading to overconsumption and unhealthy choices that do more harm than good.
Beyond her Role as a Dietitian
Chelsea enjoys spending time with her husband and pups when the weather is cooler. Also, she is a huge sports fan and loves rooting for the Houston Astros.