About Melissa Devera MD, CLT | Santa Cruz Nutritionist

Meet Melissa

Melissa Devera Nutritional Weight and Wellness Coach

After struggling with debilitating back pain, I've experienced firsthand how to heal my own body with food. I pursued a career in nutrition as a means of disease prevention and wellness which lined up with my own personal values and beliefs. I've always felt a calling to help people improve their diet and lifestyle so that they can feel at their best!

My primary job is as a hospital-based outpatient nutritionist in Santa Cruz where I work mainly with those wanting to lose weight, gastric sleeve patients as well as those suffering from digestive disorders.

I received my certification as a LEAP therapist (CLT) in 2009. Since then, I've helped over 1000 patients manage conditions such as IBS, digestive disorders, migraines, headaches, arthritis, joint pain, ankylosing spondylitis, lymphedema, weight issues, urticaria, acne, uveitis, abdominal pain, fatigue and other inflammatory conditions.

I truly believe that strategies that are too rigid, extreme, or demanding are short-lived and ultimately ineffective because they are not sustainable. I'll take your whole life into consideration, my recommendations will fit into your lifestyle and have lasting results.

I look for small and easy changes you can make that will have the biggest impact on improving their health. I always start from a place of positivity and compassion is vital to making changes that feel sustainable.

Outside of work, I get excited about dancing, traveling, climbing, walking my Chihuahua, swimming, doing mind-body practices, listening to live music, photography, and painting.

“If you have chronic digestive problems, call Melissa today!

I took the MRT food sensitivity test and the results were astounding. Foods that I had been eating almost everyday - chicken, carrots, onion, coconut, etc. - were actually causing adverse reactions in my body!

With Melissa's guidance, I started a personalized diet to calm my digestive system and, miraculously, I began to feel better! I have been on the diet for several months now and I am excited to say that I feel better than I thought possible, and have even started to add some of my favorite foods (like tea, coffee and chocolate) back into my diet with no adverse reactions at all!

Working with Melissa has been really rewarding. I have learned to cook meals that are delicious, creative and nutritious. My chronic abdominal problems are being healed!!! I feel better than I have in almost a decade.

I had no idea how effective seeing a nutritionist would be. I feel blessed to have received such outstanding care! Listen to your gut... go see Melissa!”

Katie

Melissa is thorough, thoughtful, kind and very informative. She goes above and beyond to provide all the tools necessary to help you be the healthiest version of yourself.

I have struggled with chronic pain and inflammation for years. When I went to see Melissa I had been experiencing an increased level of pain for several months in my low back. It was like nothing I had felt before.

Although I was seeing a physical therapist/pilates teacher (twice a week), a personal trainer who specializes in core stability (twice a week), and a sports chiropractor (twice a week), all exceptional practitioners, something was still missing.

Nutrition not only plays a key roll In how you feel physically but mentally as well. After completing the food sensitivity tests I was surprised to learn that I was sensitive to many of the healthy food items I ate frequently (pineapple, oatmeal, spinach, and so on).

Since eliminating, or at least significantly reducing the amount of "sensitive" foods I eat, I feel amazing. I still have chronic pain due to structural issues but it has substantially decreased and is manageable now. My energy levels are up and my overall mental and physical well-being have continued to improve. I thought I had been eating healthy and by most people's definition I was.

Without Mellissa's guidance and support, there is no way I would have been able to pin-point what foods were contributing to my inflammation and pain. She takes the guesswork out of the whole process, and is a joy to work with. She cares and it shows in the results.

Sarah

Melissa is fantastic: friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful. Most importantly, she helped me reset my diet and finally get on the path to a healthy gut. I highly recommend her services. Thanks, Melissa!

Kevin

Melissa DeVera

Santa Cruz Nutritionist

Meet Melissa

Education & Cerifications

Testimonials

Melissa DeVera

Melissa DeVera, RD, CLT

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