Science brought me to nutrition. People made me love it.

My interest in nutrition began shortly after high school, when I met a dietitian whose work introduced me to an entirely different way of thinking about food. I became fascinated not just by what we eat, but by what happens after we eat it—how nutrients are broken down, how they're used to produce energy, and how food influences the body at the cellular and molecular level.

Life eventually took me in another direction, and I became a molecular biologist. In many ways, though, I never really left nutrition behind. Molecular biology taught me to look at life at its smallest level and ask the question I've always loved asking: Why does this work the way it does?

Years later, I had the opportunity to return to the career I had originally begun in Colombia and become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist in the United States. Today, those two backgrounds come together in the way I practice. I get to understand the science happening at the molecular level—and then translate it into something meaningful and practical for the person sitting across from me.

About Vanessa Laverde MS, RD, LD

Credentials & Expertise

Science-backed care. Human-centered approach.

My background combines nutrition science with molecular biology, giving me a unique perspective on how nutrition influences health from the foods on our plates to the processes happening at the cellular level.

Credentials & Education

  • Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)

  • Licensed Dietitian (LD), Texas

  • Master of Science in Community Medical Dietetics

  • Molecular Biology, MB(ASCP)

  • Specialized training in sports nutrition

My areas of focus include metabolic health, weight management, sports and performance nutrition, diabetes and blood sugar management, and nutrition education.

I provide nutrition care in English and Spanish and welcome the opportunity to incorporate cultural foods, traditions, and preferences into your nutrition plan.

Nutrition shouldn't make you afraid of food.

One of the most rewarding parts of my work is watching someone's relationship with food begin to change.

Many of my clients come to me after years of being told what they can't eat. Carbohydrates are bad. Cultural foods don't fit the diet. Their favorite foods need to disappear. They have tried rigid meal plans filled with foods they don't even enjoy because they believed that was what they had to do to become healthier.

I want to offer something different.

You don't have to abandon your culture, preferences, or enjoyment of food to work toward better health. Sometimes we need to adjust portions, frequency, combinations, or preparation. Sometimes medical conditions require more specific nutrition interventions. But food shouldn't automatically become the enemy.

Some of my favorite moments are when clients realize they can bring a food they once feared back onto their plate and still make progress toward their goals.

The Meaning Behind Synergy Fuel

Synergy Fuel Nutrition represents the relationship between food, the body, and everyday life. Nutrition doesn't work in isolation—our health, culture, preferences, movement, habits, and experiences all interact. When those pieces work together, food becomes more than something to restrict or control. It becomes nourishment, energy, enjoyment, and a tool to support the life you want to live.

A little more about me

I’m Colombian and bilingual in English and Spanish, and my own experience living between cultures has shaped the way I think about nutrition. Food is deeply connected to culture, family, memories, and identity. Nutrition recommendations should make room for that—not ask you to replace everything familiar with someone else's version of “healthy.”

Outside of work, you'll usually find me running, strength training, or spending time with my husband and kiddo. My own interest in exercise and performance is also one of the reasons sports nutrition has become an important part of my practice.

Whether we're working on metabolic health, performance, weight management, or your overall relationship with food, I want you to feel heard, supported, and never judged.

I want you to understand the “why.”

Education is a big part of how I practice. I don't only want to tell you what to do. I want you to understand why we're doing it.

Why do you need carbohydrates? Why does protein matter? What is fiber actually doing? Why is your blood glucose responding this way? How does fueling affect your performance? Why might a particular strategy make sense for you but not necessarily for someone else?

Understanding your body gives you the tools to make decisions outside of my office. Ultimately, you're the person in charge of your lifestyle. My role is to provide the science, education, support, accountability, and individualized guidance to help you make those decisions with greater confidence.

And success isn't defined by perfection. It can mean better blood glucose, improved metabolic health, reaching a performance goal, changing body composition, having more energy, or simply sitting down to eat something you once considered “bad” without guilt.

Let’s Connect

Have a question about Synergy Fuel Nutrition or not sure which service is right for you? I’d be happy to help.

Send a message using the form below, and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

you can also schedule a complimentary 15-minute consultation so we can determine the appropriate service for your needs