Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristen Lorenz.
Hi Kristen, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My path into dietetics was honestly a happy accident. I’ve always loved food and genuinely loved helping people, but it wasn’t until college that I stumbled upon the dietetics major and thought this is it. I changed my major and never looked back.
What came next was intentional, though. I started my career in intense clinical settings, and I’m really grateful for that foundation. Clinical work sharpens you in ways that are hard to replicate. You learn to think rigorously, communicate complex information clearly, and advocate hard for your patients. That base gave me a confidence and credibility that has carried me through every chapter of my career since.
And there have been a lot of chapters. Today I operate as a multi-hyphenate in the truest sense. I run a private practice working one-on-one with clients, I serve as a consultant dietitian for Kentwood Public Schools, which I’m incredibly proud of because it’s the most diverse school district in all of Michigan, and I contribute regularly to media as a nutrition expert. It’s a full life, and I love it!
What ties it all together is my “why.” Nutrition is one of the most polarizing, confusing, and deeply personal topics out there, and I’ve had a front-row seat to how the world’s relationship with food has evolved over the decades I’ve been practicing. My goal, in every role, is to cut through the noise. To make nutrition feel approachable, evidence-based, and real, especially for Michigan residents, whose health and wellbeing I feel genuinely invested in.
I feel lucky to do work that matters, in a place I love, every day.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
No road worth traveling is ever completely smooth, and mine has been no exception. The biggest ongoing challenge in this field is one that never fully goes away: nutrition science evolves constantly, and public opinion evolves even faster. What was considered gospel ten years ago may look very different today, and as a dietitian, you have to be willing to grow alongside the evidence. That requires a kind of intellectual humility that doesn’t always come naturally, especially when you’ve invested years building expertise in a particular area.
Early in my career, I leaned heavily on the clinical frameworks I was trained in. Learning to loosen my grip on rigid thinking and stay open to new research, new perspectives, and new ways of reaching people was a real shift. It’s something I still practice intentionally.
Two mantras have kept me grounded through all of it. The first is simply “stay curious.” Curiosity is what keeps a long career feeling fresh and meaningful. It’s what keeps me reading, asking questions, and resisting the urge to have all the answers. The second is something I share with my clients as much as I live by myself: “you don’t have to be extreme, you just have to be consistent.” That philosophy has been as much a professional compass as a personal one. In a world that constantly pushes dramatic overhauls and quick fixes, choosing the steady, sustainable path is actually the harder and braver choice.
Staying flexible, staying curious, and trusting the process. Those are the things that have carried me through.
As you know, we’re big fans of KLL Nutrition. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Kristen Lorenz Nutrition is a private practice rooted in one core belief: that good nutrition doesn’t have to be complicated. My work spans individual client care, school nutrition consulting, and media contribution, and the common thread across all of it is making evidence-based nutrition feel accessible, realistic, and sustainable for real people living real lives.
In my private practice, I specialize in general wellness with a focus on helping clients build lasting, healthy relationships with food. One area I’ve been especially energized by lately is working with clients on GLP-1 medications. These medications are changing lives, but they also come with real nutritional considerations that often get overlooked. I work closely with clients to make sure they’re losing weight in a way that actually protects their health, preserving muscle mass, meeting their nutrient needs, and building habits that will serve them long after the medication does its job.
What sets me apart is the combination of a strong clinical foundation and a communication style that meets people where they are. I started my career in intense clinical settings, and that background gives me a depth of knowledge that informs everything I do. But knowledge alone isn’t enough. I’ve spent years translating complex nutrition science into language that is warm, approachable, and actually useful. That’s what my clients count on, and it’s what makes my work as a regular media contributor meaningful too.
I’m also incredibly proud of my consulting work with Kentwood Public Schools, the most diverse school district in Michigan. Bringing thoughtful, equitable nutrition support to that community is some of the most meaningful work I do.
If you’re curious about working together or just want a trusted, no-nonsense voice in your corner on all things nutrition, I’d love to connect. Head to my website to grab my free resource and get on the list for ongoing hot takes on nutrition trends, practical tips, and recipe ideas that actually fit your life.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
Some of my favorite childhood memories revolve around food. I grew up watching the Food Network at all hours, collecting cookbooks like other kids collected trading cards, and spending time in the kitchen with my grandma soaking up everything she was willing to teach me. There was something about food that just captivated me, not only the cooking itself, but the curiosity behind it. Why does this work? What makes this taste this way? How can I make this better? I didn’t know it then, but that early love of food and that drive to understand it more deeply was quietly laying the groundwork for everything that came after. When I stumbled upon dietetics in college, I knew it was my future.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.kristenlorenznutrition.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelastdietitian/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristenl/
