Dietitian Services for North Bay Residents

A registered dietitian (RD) provides personalized, evidence-based nutrition support to help you improve your health, feel better, and reach your goals—without restrictive diets.

1. Improved health outcomes: Working with an RD can help lower blood pressure, cholesterol, and A1C, manage digestive issues, and support conditions like PCOS, NAFLD, and kidney disease.

2. Personalized support: Unlike generic online advice, dietitians tailor recommendations to your needs, lifestyle, and goals.

3. Trusted, regulated care: In Ontario, only registered dietitians are licensed and accountable to a professional college. Learn more at unlockfood.ca

The key difference lies in regulation, training, and scope of practice. Registered Dietitians (RDs) are regulated health professionals. They complete accredited university programs, practical training, and must be registered with a provincial regulatory body—such as the College of Dietitians of Ontario. RDs are qualified to provide medical nutrition therapy, including support for chronic conditions, and often work in clinical, community, and private practice settings. Nutritionists may not be regulated, depending on the province, and their education and credentials can vary widely. While some may offer valuable general nutrition advice, they are not typically trained or authorized to provide care for complex medical conditions.

Learn more about registered dietitians.

I offer evidence-based, weight-inclusive counselling for a variety of conditions, including diabetes, hypertension, IBS, IBD, NAFLD, kidney disease, PCOS, and more. I follow clinical guidelines from sources like Diabetes Canada. Visit my Services page for the full list.

I accept consultations by appointment only, available weekday evenings. For details on our hours of operation, click here. Please visit my website and click "Book Now" to schedule a consultation.

Preparing for the Appointment

• Complete and submit any required forms ahead of time.

• Ensure your device is charged or plugged in.

• Be available 15 minutes before and after your appointment.

• Choose a quiet, private, and well-lit space.

• If someone else will be joining, make sure they’re available at the scheduled time.

• For virtual appointments: Ensure a stable internet connection. If using a phone or tablet, download the Practice Better App (not required for computer users).

What to Bring to the Appointment

• Health insurance card. If it doesn’t include a photo, bring a supporting photo ID.

• Eyeglasses or hearing aids, if needed.

• Your relevant health history, including:

  • Current health conditions or illnesses

  • Medications and supplements

  • Food allergies

  • Family medical history

  • Recorded health data (e.g., weight, height, blood sugars, blood pressure)

• Pen and paper or another method for taking notes.

In your first appointment with me (a Registered Dietitian in Ontario), we’ll review:

• Your health history, current medications, and supplements

• Recent lab work or medical concerns (if applicable)

• Your eating habits, lifestyle, and preferences

• Any questions, challenges, or goals you have

This helps create a customized nutrition plan that fits your goals.

I currently offer nutrition counseling services by phone or virtually only. For more information on consultation options, feel free to contact me. If you're specifically looking for in-person support, you can explore other regulated dietitians in your area using Find a Dietitian, HealthProfs, Half Your Plate and Lumino Health.

Yes — protecting your privacy is a top priority. I use Practice Better, a secure, encrypted platform that’s fully compliant with Canadian privacy laws, including PHIPA and PIPEDA. Your personal health information is stored safely and only accessed through secure login. I follow all professional and legal standards to ensure your information is kept confidential.

You can read more in my Privacy Policy.

PHIPA is Ontario’s privacy law for health information. It ensures strict confidentiality and protection of your personal health data. As a Registered Dietitian in Ontario, I’m required to follow PHIPA to ensure your information remains private and secure. Learn more about PHIPA.

All virtual sessions are held through a secure, private video platform built into Practice Better, a secure and fully compliant platform (HIPAA, PIPEDA, PHIPA) built for Canadian health professionals. After booking, you'll receive a link to join your session—no downloads required. You can use your phone, tablet, or computer. If using a phone or tablet, download the Practice Better App. Log in 5–10 minutes early. You may be placed in a waiting room until I join. If there’s background noise, please mute your microphone when not speaking to improve audio quality.

Yes—you can self-refer to work with a Registered Dietitian in Ontario. Some insurance plans may require a doctor’s referral for reimbursement, so check your coverage.

Be ready to answer a call, which may appear as "unknown" or "blocked."

I only collect the personal information needed to provide safe, effective, and ethical nutrition services. This may include:

• Your name, email address, phone number, and mailing address

• Health history, lifestyle habits, and nutrition concerns (when voluntarily shared)

• Appointment details, forms, or messages submitted through Practice Better

• Payment information (securely processed via Practice Better Payments, powered by Stripe)

• Website interactions (e.g., IP address, browser type, or cookie preferences)

Any health-related information you share is treated with strict confidentiality and stored securely using PHIPA- and PIPEDA-compliant systems. I never sell your information or use it for marketing without your consent.

Only Melissa Fortier, RD has access to your file, unless you give written permission to share it with another health care provider. Your information may also be shared if required by law (e.g., risk of serious harm or audit).

• I use secure Practice Better messaging for all clinical communication (e.g., care plans or personal health info).

• I may use regular email only for administrative tasks like appointment reminders or receipts—with your consent.

• Email newsletters or resources are optional and require separate opt-in consent.