Today we’d like to introduce you to Malak Saddy.
Malak, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I grew up in an American/Lebanese, Muslim household where like many cultures around the world, food and family were an integral part of our culture. At a young age I became aware that food was more than just what we ate, it served a multitude of purposes. Different foods were associated with different occasions and it became so intriguing to me all the ways it was used. My aunties’ and grandmothers’ love didn’t just come with hugs and adoration, but also with the food they made to show that they noticed your favorite dish.
Growing up, my school lunches always intrigued my friends’ curiosity, and looks of antipathy, as they ate their pizza slices or pb&j sandwiches. I was always the only girl in the school cafeteria with a small tub of hummus, raw vegetables, and pita slices, or leftover shawarma sandwiches, with tons of garlic spread. Their curiosity came with questions that I was hesitant to answer, so I constantly had to come up with creative descriptions of my food, to satisfy their probing, and still feel “cool” and not too unlike the crowd.
By the end of my junior year in high school, I knew I wanted to do something around food and nutrition. Becoming a dietitian combined the things I love most, talking, sharing my experiences around food, and helping people. I went to Michigan State University for my undergrad and was fortunate to work with an exceptional dietitian, Esther Park, who specialized in eating disorders, and who ultimately fueled my passion. I was fascinated by the notion that food can feel uplifting to some while having a negative impact on others. This in itself fueled my fervor more, into entering the field of eating disorders. I later completed my dietetic internship at Keene State College in NH. I held onto my childhood experiences at home, and at school, and kept in touch with my college professor, who eventually confirmed to me that my future career could go past a clinical job.
My first dietitian job was at a mental health facility for adolescents, in which I worked with clients with different mental, and physical issues, including eating disorders, Prader Willi Syndrome, Type I and II Diabetes. I cherished every day of work there, as it was both challenging and healing. Throughout my career, I have worked at various facilities including non-profit work, food service, and eating disorder treatment centers. Each facility offered me more opportunities, knowledge, and compassion.
Today, I own my own private practice and continue to specialize in eating disorders in children, adolescents, and adults; male, female, and transgender. I am very grateful to have found a career that I truly love, and that allows me to help different people across different cultures, backgrounds, and experiences, to reconnect to their bodies, and souls.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Every story has its struggles. Mine is no different. It is those challenges that help push us forward. One of the bumps that I had to overcome was the first time I took my board exam to become a registered dietitian. I failed by one point! I was devastated and embarrassed. How could this happen to me? Five months later, I took it again. I walked into that testing center, determined and confident. I walked out as a registered dietitian (RD). I noticed there was a difference between the first time I took that exam and then five months later. The first time I walked in there scared, unsure of myself, and that negative, self-critical voice was loud. The second time I took it, I studied just as hard, but this time, I gave myself the world’s greatest pep talk and was confident that I did know the material, and I was capable of passing. That moment gave me so much more than just my RD, but it allowed me to see how positive self-talk and confidence can make a difference.
Please tell us about your practice.
I have my own private practice here in Dallas, TX and also see clients virtually. I specialize in eating disorders and helping people push away from diet culture. I am a Certified Eating Disorder Registered Dietitian (CEDRD) and have been in practice for over nine years in different capacities. I’m also a Body Positive Facilitator, and Intuitive Eating Counselor and strive to incorporate both approaches throughout my sessions, guiding my clients to have a positive relationship with their bodies, using a non-diet approach. I am on the board for my local Dallas Fort Worth IAEDP (International Association for Eating Disorder Professionals) chapter and enjoy connecting with my community, and network with some great colleagues.
Fun fact, I didn’t start speaking until I was about four years old, where my mom tells me I just woke up one day speaking fully in sentences. Some may say that since that day I haven’t stopped talking, or let my voice be heard! The desire to educate, and bring awareness has allowed me to speak at over 50 conferences, universities, and schools. Some of the topics I’ve spoken about are intuitive eating, cultural diversity in the treatment of eating disorders, and Health At Every Size (HAES).
You may need a non-diet dietitian if:
• you want help rebuilding your relationship with food and your body
• feel a loss of control around food
• are rigid around food choices and meal times
• have fear or anxiety around trying new foods
• use exercise or other compensatory behaviors to make up for the food you’ve eaten
• struggle eating in front of people
• count calories
• hiding food or eating in secret
• want to learn about intuitive eating
• label foods as “good,” “bad,” or “junk.”
• sick and tired of going on another diet or counting your calories/macros
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
Traveling to Lebanon with my family during summer breaks to visit our extended family was always adventurous, and so much fun. As kids we would go every other summer, and spend three months in pure bliss. Our travels were always filled with home cooked meals, family outings, and laughter. I loved how all of those things brought us together and was always so sad to leave. Since most of my cousins were boys, I often would get left behind and stay with my grandmother. She taught me so many things that I hold near to my heart. She would sing to her flowers, smiling from ear to ear when a new bud would grow. She taught me how to make traditional countryside dishes, smidi bandoura (cracked wheat with tomatoes), and maneish (dough with zaatar), and majadara (lentil pilaf). I can still smell the aromas of her kitchen, and feel the love she bestowed onto those who stopped by, to visit, and have a cup of coffee and baklava. I still go back and visit as an adult, where my heart is always filled with some of my favorite childhood memories.
Pricing:
- $145-$165
Contact Info:
- Address: 9535 Forest Lane
Suite 258 Dallas, TX - Website: www.malaksaddyrd.com
- Phone: 517-897-0921
- Email: msaddyrd@gmail.com
- Instagram: @msaddyrd
- Facebook: Malak Saddy RD, LD, CEDRD
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