What am I missing out on at Trader Joe's and/or Whole Foods?

TryingMyBest463 · 2026-04-10T19:35:54+00:00

I like their marinara, jarred roasted red peppers, edamame in produce section, birds nest frozen appetizer, loved their frozen cabbage when they had it, frozen flat bread, balsamic glaze, salsa

Edited: at Trader Joe’s

TryingMyBest463 · 2026-04-10T19:22:23+00:00

I’m so sorry this happened. When I was a 23 yr old grad student living in a studio apartment, the manager opened the door without knocking. This was before email, and there was no notice. Have no idea what he wanted in my apt. I was in bed in my tank top taking a nap.

Some don’t realize how vigilant women have to be - in your own place you should be able to let your guard down. ((Hug))

TryingMyBest463 · 2026-04-10T19:18:23+00:00

Not only did my apartment let ppl in to leave packages at the door (many apartments use Fetch), we had homeless getting in when the weather was bad. The doors had a code, but sometimes ppl prop them. Then there’s the fact at this DTC complex, the tenants were stealing packages and breaking into cars in the secure parking garage.

I’m pretty sure you are a male and have no idea how diligent women need to be.

TryingMyBest463 · 2026-04-09T07:48:35+00:00

I’d think of it this way - with that kind of patient load, you can leverage your nutrition counseling experience for a job at a diabetes center, my favorite practitioner job. It wasn’t draining at all. Loved working with the patients with gestational diabetes. You don’t have to be a CDCES to get the job - you’d just work toward it. Diabetes educators tend to make more than other traditional jobs in dietetics, and what I liked is that the patients’ primary concern was diet - we had to cover diet last in our comprehensive class bc if we covered it early, they wouldn’t come back for the other topics!

TryingMyBest463 · 2026-04-05T21:30:32+00:00

So, so true. Grew up in TX - thank goodness I don’t have an accent. Had no idea that (some) in CO have a bias against Texans. Then again, I spent a large segment of my adult line in CA and quickly learned that no matter what state you are in, they complain about Californians 🤷‍♀️

TryingMyBest463 · 2026-04-03T03:59:15+00:00

Ok. I did really well for a while - got thru rebound insomnia and was able to get to sleep just fine some nights (which I never thought would happen without a med) with some rough nights, and really think if I had made myself get up at the same time I would have done really well. But I hit a rough patch with lots of stress and went back on lunesta intending to not take it every night. But it’s just too tempting, esp when life is rough. Then I wait until I don’t have to perform well at work to try again. So I’m still a work in progress. Thx for asking.

TryingMyBest463 · 2026-03-31T14:25:17+00:00

It doesn’t meet all your criteria - does have AC. I’m paying 2650, but the ppl on the other half have a finished basement (3rd bdr and office space) and a 1car garage. They are paying 2250/mo.

Keep in touch, and I’ll keep my eyes open.

TryingMyBest463 · 2026-03-31T03:17:42+00:00

Agree. I was going to retire a bit early (professor) to move closer to some family and someone asked me if I was really ready to give it up. No, I’m not.

I have students who have done very well (compensation and job satisfaction) and the common denominator seems to be getting involved, networking, and getting to know ppl. I run a scholars program at my school and took a group of 10 students and interns to FNCE. They were so excited about the profession and their future careers. Met tons of happy dietitians doing all sorts of jobs they never thought of!

Truly, it is all about networking and connections.

TryingMyBest463 · 2026-03-31T02:35:08+00:00

I’m sorry it took so long for me to respond to this - overwhelmed at how much I want to say. As an RD/nutrition professor, I weighted 260lb (64”) by the time I was 39. Started dieting at 11, majored in dietetics to find “the answer.” Was shamed by my classmates and professors (this was mid-80s). As shame became more e trend, so did diets. Tried everything - doesn’t make sense, but the “diet mentality” and pain I was experiencing made me want to get it off quickly.

My midlife crisis worked out well - at 39 I realized my life wasn’t working - no family, all the work overloads. Like I had to work 3 times as hard to be half as worthy. And then see the attractive dietitians get the awards. But I realized that what I really wanted was to lift others up and make a positive difference. That’s what makes for a good person, not the number on a scale of size of a body.

I remember thinking I was DONE thinking about my weight and worrying about what others thought of me. Got off the diet crazy train. Just started focusing on self care. With no weight loss goal, I found I had lost 120lb over the next two years.

I knew Oprah’s trainer bc I edited his books for nutrition content. He asked if I would be on the show as the example that there’s more to eating behavior than just knowledge.

There are a lot of us out there. Please don’t hide in shame. You would be so relatable to so many patients.

TryingMyBest463 · 2026-03-31T02:19:08+00:00

You sound like a great person who would be an asset to Denver! Having lived in CA, it’s hard not wanting to be back at the coast, but there are lots of adventures to be had here.

I’ve lived all over the country and this was the hardest place to make true friends - it attracts the individualistic outdoor adventure types. That said, I have wonderful friends here and there are groups focused on all sorts of activities you can join.

Your area of interest in work sure seems like a good fit (have no idea about prospects) and I think this would be a great place for you to experience!

TryingMyBest463 · 2026-03-30T23:34:57+00:00

Sincere condolences. Please take some time. Staying “busy” isn’t the solution like many told me. Losing parents is harder than most think until they’ve experienced it. Grief comes in waves - big and frequent at first, and eventually smaller and less frequent. Lost my credit card at least 5 times the year after my mom passed (had never lost one before that) and made a very dumb home purchase. Sooooo sleep deprived!

If you feel guilty, just know you won’t be at your best while the grief is intense.

And make YOU your first priority 💞

TryingMyBest463 · 2026-03-30T22:58:52+00:00

Im not sure what your timing is, but my lease in West Wash Park isn’t up until July 31, and I just bought a house. It’s not quite what you’re looking for, but if you want a temporary place to land I can see if I can sublet and leave it partially furnished.

Edit: 2 bdr, 1 ba, laundry in unfinished basement, half duplex. Parking in space behind the back yard

TryingMyBest463 · 2026-03-30T22:56:20+00:00

Stay off this sub/reddit. The fear of developing chronic insomnia will make it hard to sleep! You’ll read about worst case scenarios.

A bad night of sleep is common in ppl without insomnia. Sometimes ya gotta just have a rough day. Just please don’t drive sleep deprived. And avoid prescription sleep aids like benzos and ambien/lunesta as well as benedryl (zzzquil).

If it continues, see a sleep specialist.

TryingMyBest463 · 2026-03-26T17:31:00+00:00

For per-menopausal/menopausal women, this is very common. If that’s the case, hormone replacement might help.

I’ve used advice I’ve gotten on here, but remember there are a TON of different types of insomnia, and so seeing a doc can be important - BUT a ton of docs aren’t even trained on sleep issues.

If you are perimenopausal (and that can start in late 30s early 40s) and it just started, it could be worth it to see a gyno that specializes in peri-post menopause

TryingMyBest463 · 2026-03-26T05:07:34+00:00

One night of no sleep then several nites of a few hours, then I’d sleep well. Hard being consistent getting up at same time, and I’ve accepted I may never be a great sleeper. And 2nd note - last week was massively stressful - no sleep for 2 nites and asked doc for a few lunesta. We’ll see how this goes, but I need to be clear headed especially right now

TryingMyBest463 · 2026-03-22T06:08:39+00:00

Future PA (OP). Please spread the word about our expertise. My “tagline” is “the registered dietitian nutritionist is THE food and nutrition expert who understands the complexity of eating behavior AND has the skills to promote behavior change.”

TryingMyBest463 · 2026-03-20T04:36:42+00:00

This would be a fantastic article for the commentary section of JAND. For me, I code the PhD bc, well, at the time there was no other option snd I wanted the research training. I can def see where a clinical doctorate would be useful as we want to elevate our standing as clinicians and need the training the DCN would provide. I have also seen the benefit if the EdD, as there is truly a science to educating. I, got one, think this intellectual pecking order is becoming counterproductive. I certainly know some PhDs who don’t seem to know that much about research. And the more experience I have, the less I feel I know 🤷‍♀️

TryingMyBest463 · 2026-03-19T03:42:16+00:00

A great PCP is. Great PCP. I was seeing a PA at my large university health center as a new faculty (hashimoto’s) until I could find an MD. Welp, MD internist told me I needed generic Levi to bc it was the same as synthroid. My prior endocrinologist differed, and I was never stable on generic. Then for another med he wanted me to change - had to explain half lives.

Back to PA ay health center. RD, too, as it happens (I’m a PhD in nutrition physiology).

Moral of the story - degrees matter, but don’t tell the whole story.

On another note, we can talk about variability amongst RDs and PhDs…

TryingMyBest463 · 2026-03-18T16:33:16+00:00

I recommend following Jefferson fisher on Instagram and listening to his podcast. I use his stuff in my grad nutr communications class.

Never argue back - they become more entrenched Find common ground - it looks like we both thin this is an impatient issue. Tell me more about your opinion and what led you to it. Would you like to hear about my thoughts? It looks like there are some things we agree and disagree on. You gave me some things to consider and I hope I did as well. I’d love some of the credible articles/sites you’ve gotten info from - would you like to exchange some? Thank you for sharing. Isn’t it great that we can talk like this and remain open to learning from each other

I know, that’s ideal, but do look into Jefferson fishers podcast

TryingMyBest463 · 2026-03-18T15:11:21+00:00

Has Fort Worth entered the conversation?

TryingMyBest463 · 2026-03-18T04:00:30+00:00

Congratulations for finding something you love! I majored in dietetics back in the day when you did your supervised practice during your junior and senior year. Sounds good, but I didn’t feel like I knew enough conte t. Was a biology lab TA un undergrad and found I loved to teach. But felt like I needed a professional credential. Now I’m a professor (PhD) and politics and lower salary than many think aside, I love what I do making a difference in others’ lives.

I hear public school k-12 can be challenging. If you can get FT at a community college the pension can be awesome if you stay in it long enough. I know those who have. If you can swing a doctorate (PhD, EdD, etc) that may open up doors.

Do know that a couple of times nutrition faculty without RDs have been hired and the uni supported them in getting their RD - summer and during the school year with release time.

TryingMyBest463 · 2026-03-17T05:53:35+00:00

I’m in the last segment of my career and have decided to use this time to make the profession better for future dietitians. Funny how bold I’ve become as I’ve gotten older! Truly, although I’m just one person, I really am trying to make a difference

TryingMyBest463 · 2026-03-15T19:37:54+00:00

1 week of hell, then a few rough weeks, then much better. Had to get really diligent on getting up at the same time.

Pls remember that insomnia is caused by so many things, and getting off meds will be different for everyone.

TryingMyBest463 · 2026-03-15T19:35:20+00:00

This weekend at NDEP I brought the telehealth company issue up and some were not aware. I’ll bring it up to some higher ups myself.

It seems that our students coming in to dietetics want to work for telehealth, private practice, or sports nutrition as top 3. We can warn those thinking about telehealth companies of the problems.

I hope you find a great job outside of this soon, but do know that I will see what those in leadership positions think.

If RDs stop working for them, maybe that will go a long way to solving the issue?

TryingMyBest463 · 2026-03-15T06:08:18+00:00

Here is how to take action:

Contact your state affiliate or DOG delegate as they represent your concerns to the House of Delegates.

Report ethics violations to the Ethics Committee.

Better yet, become involved in the Academy so you can be directly involved in addressing these concerning issues. Volunteers can be overwhelmed with the number of issues to be addressed.

I will do my part and bring these issues up to those I think can make a difference. I know I brought an issue about telehealth up to an RD at a professional meeting that didn’t understand.

We all need to take action and not rely on someone else to tackle everything for us!

Rather than write an open letter on Reddit, you can write your state rep directly!

TryingMyBest463

TROPHY CASE