REAL PEOPLE, REAL EXPERTISE
Meet Our Team of Nutrition Experts
Behind every successful journey to food freedom is a compassionate guide who’s been there before. At The Tasty Balance, our team of registered dietitians brings diverse expertise, personal understanding, and evidence-based strategies to help you transform your relationship with food and body.
The Tasty Balance story
Remember that moment when you first learned your body wasn’t “supposed” to look a certain way? I do.
Growing up, I didn’t recognize how harmful diet culture and the thin ideal really were—I just wanted to fit in and be accepted like everyone else. Those childhood memories where someone’s offhand comment teaches you to dislike your body? Those moments stick with us.
I wish I could tell you I was immediately strong enough to reject those messages. That I stood up and said, “Nope, I don’t need to change my body to be worthy.” But real life isn’t that simple.
That’s exactly why I created The Tasty Balance.
I wanted to build something different—a practice where people struggling with eating disorders, chronic dieters, and anyone seeking a sustainable approach to nutrition could find genuine support.
Today, I’m proud to work with a team of incredible clinicians who share this vision. Together, we’re helping people just like you discover food freedom, develop healthy relationships with eating, and finally break free from diet culture’s grip.
Get to Know Our Team
Click on the photos below to scroll and learn more about each of our dietitians and team members.
Emma Clinkingbeard
Based in St. Louis
Janean Gardea
Based in Kansas City
Kristin Gerhardt
Based in Kansas City
Rachel Muzzy
Based in Kansas City
Kate Aragon
Based in St. Louis
Kirstin Reitmeier
Based in Kansas City
Allie Howard
Based in St. Louis
Ariel Johnston
Based in Kansas City
Ashley Matt
Scheduler
Kacee Kidder
Biller
Meghan Harris
Billing Manager
Emma Clinkingbeard
MS, RD, LD | Based in St. Louis
Specialties
Eating disorder
Binge eating & emotional eating
General nutrition and wellness
Intuitive eating
Pre/post natal
Sports nutrition
Women’s health & PCOS
REDS (relative energy deficiency in sport)
Trauma informed care
Client Ages
18 & up
States able to Work In
MO, KS, IL, CO
What do you like most about being a dietitian?
I really value being able to help client’s make informed and values based decisions about their health & nutrition. My job is to walk alongside a client in their nutrition journey, not tell them what to do! Together, we explore how their nutrition choices and behaviors are helping (or hindering) cultivating an authentic life they want to live.
My clients would describe me as:
Compassionate, warm, & encouraging
Snack you always have in your kitchen:
Kettle corn, yum!
I’m especially passionate about working with:
Runners, RED-S, HAES, pre/peri/post natal looking to improve energy & relationship with food
Jenean Gardea
RD, LD | Based in kansas city
Specialties
Eating disorder
Binge eating & emotional eating
General nutrition and wellness
Intuitive eating
Picky eating & ARFID
Pre/post natal
Women’s health & PCOS
Gestational diabetes
Vegan/vegetarian
Gender-affirming care
Client Ages
All ages
Special availability
Limited evening availability
States able to Work In
MO, KS, IL, CO, TX, CA
What do you like most about being a dietitian?
As a dietitian, what I find most fulfilling is helping clients experience their “ah-ha” moment—when they discover that nutrition is not a one-size-fits-all solution, but a deeply personal and dynamic journey. It’s rewarding to guide individuals toward realizing that food doesn’t need to feel restrictive or overwhelming. Instead, I aim to make it approachable and joyful again by focusing on sustainable habits and encouraging a balanced relationship with food. Reconnecting clients with their bodies and fostering a sense of confidence and empowerment in their eating choices is one of the most impactful aspects of this work. Witnessing clients transform their mindset and truly understand how nourishing their body can enhance their well-being is incredibly gratifying.
My clients would describe me as:
Compassionate, supportive, genuine, & quirky
Snack you always have in your kitchen:
Cheese and crackers
I’m especially passionate about working with:
LGBTQIA+ (including trans & nonbinary), BIPOC, health at every size, EDs with mood and personality disorders, soon-to-be and new moms
Kristin Gerhardt
MS, RD, LD | Based in Kansas City
Specialties
Eating disorder
Binge eating & emotional eating
Bariatric nutrition
Functional nutrition & lab testing
General nutrition & wellness
Medical weight loss & metabolic wellness
Family nutrition
Intuitive eating
Pre/post natal
Women’s health & PCOS
Type 2 Diabetes
High cholesterol
Client Ages
18 & up
States able to Work In
MO, KS, CO, CA, TX
What do you like most about being a dietitian?
I love seeing the transformation from feeling out of control and cautious around food, to feeling in control and confident with any food situation. I also enjoy helping find hunger and fullness cues again!
My clients would describe me as:
Realistic, compassionate, & perceptive
Snack you always have in your kitchen:
Cheese and crackers and Reese’s Peanut Butter shapes
I’m especially passionate about working with:
LGBTQ population, moms, young adults, neurodivergent, pre-op and post-op bariatric surgery, PCOS, Medical Weight loss, binge/emotional eating
Rachel Muzzy
MS, RD, LD | Based in kansas city
Specialties
Digestion
Gut health
IBS
Functional nutrition & lab testing
General nutrition & wellness
SIBO (Small bacterial intestinal overgrowth)
GERD/Acid reflux
Thyroid disorders
Client Ages
18 & up
States able to Work In
MO, KS, OR, TX
What do you like most about being a dietitian?
My 2 favorite things to hear from clients is that 1. Your normal is now feeling good, days of stomach issues are rare and 2. You feel in control of your symptoms & in tune with your body so if you do feel off you can identify why and have tools to feel better!
My clients would describe me as:
Optimistic, realistic & a little “crunchy”
Snack you always have in your kitchen:
Banana with dark chocolate and nuts
I’m especially passionate about working with:
Functional or holistic approach to Bloating, Constipation, Diarrhea, Reflux/GERD, IBS, those struggling with fatigue/low energy, lab testing
Kate Aragon
MS, RD, LD | Based in St. Louis
Specialties
Binge eating & emotional eating
Digestion & gut health
General nutrition and wellness
Intuitive eating
Medical weight loss & metabolic wellness
Picky eating & ARFID
Neurodivergent nutrition needs
Type 2 diabetes
SIBO
GERD/Acid reflux
High blood pressure
High cholesterol
Client Ages
12 & up
Special availability
Limited evening & weekend availability
States able to Work In
MO, KS, IL, CO
What do you like most about being a dietitian?
I love mixing the science of nutrition with a bit of creativity to find simple, effective solutions that actually fit into real-life routines. It’s about making things work without overcomplicating them—helping clients feel empowered to eat in a way that fuels them, without the stress. Everyone’s unique, so I focus on what each client needs, not what anyone else says they “should” or “should not” do.
My clients would describe me as:
Knowledgeable but Approachable. Non-Judgmental & Food-Neutral. Warm & Conversational
Snack you always have in your kitchen:
Frozen edamame
I’m especially passionate about working with:
Neurodivergent kids, teens, and adults BIPOC kids, teens, and adults college students
Kirstin Reitmeier
MS, RD, LD | Based in kansas city
Specialties
Eating disorder
Binge eating & emotional eating
General nutrition and wellness
Intuitive eating
Family nutrition
Picky eating & ARFID
Type 2 diabetes
High blood pressure
High cholesterol
Client Ages
12 & up
Special availability
Limited evening availability
States able to Work In
MO, KS
What do you like most about being a dietitian?
I love guiding clients to food freedom! Helping them challenge the food police and break free from diet culture is incredibly rewarding. It’s all about transforming their relationship with food into a fun and empowering experience.
My clients would describe me as:
Genuine, creative, & passionate
Snack you always have in your kitchen:
Everything charcuterie!
I’m especially passionate about working with:
Teens and adults with ED’s, Health at Every Size, those trying to escape diet culture
Allie Howard
MS, RD, LD | Based in St. Louis
Specialties
Eating disorder
Binge eating & emotional eating
General nutrition and wellness
Intuitive eating
Family nutrition
Picky eating & ARFID
High cholesterol
Pediatric nutrition
Client Ages
All ages
States able to Work In
MO, KS, IL, CO
What do you like most about being a dietitian?
I love guiding clients in developing more self-confidence around food while emphasizing that eating is something that is meant to (and can be) be enjoyed! My favorite part of being a dietitian is watching someone go from feeling fearful and obsessive about food, to the sense of freedom that comes with intuitive eating.
My clients would describe me as:
Patient, empathetic, & compassionate
Snack you always have in your kitchen:
Banana and peanut butter
I’m especially passionate about working with:
Dancers, adolescents and adults with EDs, LGBTQ+ population, health at every size
Ariel Johnston
RD, LD | Based in kansas city
Specialties
Eating disorder
Binge eating & emotional eating
General nutrition and wellness
Intuitive eating
Family nutrition
Pre/post natal
Women’s health & PCOS
Client Ages
All ages
States able to Work In
MO, KS, IL, CO
What do you like most about being a dietitian?
It’s incredibly fulfilling to see clients transform their relationship with food—shifting from it consuming 99% of their thoughts to just 20%, freeing up space for them to fully embrace life with more energy, joy, and purpose.
My clients would describe me as:
Warm, empathetic, and non-judgemental
Snack you always have in your kitchen:
Trail mix
I’m especially passionate about working with:
Soon to be and new moms, fertility issues
Ashley Matt
Scheduler
admin@thetastybalance.com
Kacee Kidder
Biller
admin@thetastybalance.com
As a dedicated medical biller with many years of experience, I have developed a deep understanding of insurance policies, coding systems, and medical billing software. I truly enjoy what I do! In my personal life.
I am passionate about spending quality time with my child, I find joy in exploring nature, discovering new music, and embracing life’s experiences.
Meghan Harris
billing manager
Meghan has years of experience billing for dietitians and does everything in her power to utilize client’s benefits and be the go between insurance companies and our clients.
OUR Unique APPROACH
The Tasty Balance Difference
Everything in moderation, and of course, that includes chocolate and wine! It seems opposite to what you would think a registered dietitian nutritionist would say but trust me. As soon as you put foods off-limits it makes it that much more desirable.
There is room in your life for all kinds of foods and what is most important is finding a balance that includes what you love and allows you to live life without feeling restricted. This belief is what led us to want to treat eating disorders and become Intuitive Eating dietitians.
We Value Diversity and Inclusivity
As a business focused on cultivating inclusivity and positive well-being, The Tasty Balance affirms all people regardless of their age, weight, culture, disabilities, ethnic origin, gender, gender identity, marital status, nationality, race, religion, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status.
Begin Your Food Freedom Journey Today
Our calendar is open and we’re ready to support you. Whether you’re dealing with digestive issues, struggling with body image, or simply wanting a more peaceful relationship with food, there’s a seat at our table for you.
