Maggie Symes

RDN

Education/Training

  • Bachelor of Science in Communication, Boston University, 2009
  • Master's of Food Culture & Communications, University of Gastronomic Sciences, 2012
  • Bachelor of Science in Dietetics, Arizona State University, 2023
  • Master of Science in Nutritional Science, Arizona State University 2025


License/Certification

  • Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist, 2025


What are you most passionate about professionally?

  • Support patients in building a healthy relationship with food and create sustainable behaviors that allow for long-term success and wellbeing. 
  • Using medical nutrition therapy to help clients improve their health outcomes and quality of life. I love staying up-to-date with current research to provide patient-centered approaches that help patients understand nutrition in a way that reduces fear and promotes empowerment. I love supporting patients with various conditions, including diabetes, cardiovascular prevention, transplant procedures, weight management, and chronic nutrition-related conditions. I am passionate about celebrating wins with my patients and supporting them with measured progress towards their nutrition goals. 
  • Improving nutrition education and health literacy by making evidence-based care available and easy to understand to everyone from every background. I enjoy helping patients build skills and confidence by understanding nutrition in a way that suits their individual communication style and lifestyle. I also enjoy helping patients reduce risk for chronic diseases, focusing on improving their energy, mobility, and helping families/communities thrive through nutrition.

Who is your ideal patient? Or patient population?

  • Transplant recipients
  • Diabetes (and prediabetes)
  • Chronic Kidney Disease
  • Cardiovascular Disease
  • Cancer/Oncology patients
  • Weight Management 



Memberships/Group Involvement

  • Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Arizona Dietetic Association, Arizona State University Nutrition Advisory Board, Slow Food USA, American Physiological Society


Other professional activities/accomplishments?

  • Award Recipient: American Physiology Society Novo Nordisk Travel Award
  • Scientific Publication Author: Acute metformin induces hyperglycemia in healthy adult mourning doves, Zenaida macroura. Comparative biochemistry and physiology. Part A, Molecular & integrative physiology, 291, 111594. 
  • Grant Recipient: ASU Graduate Student Government Individual Travel Grant, ASU Graduate College Travel Grant, ASU Graduate Student Government JumpStart Grant
  • Volunteer: St. Mary’s Food Bank & HonorHealth Desert Mission Food Bank


Personal interests/hobbies?

  • Cooking & baking (I make a unique birthday cake for my husband every year), traveling, hiking, and spending time with my family and dog (Indy)!


Personal quote/interesting fact/comment

My favorite quote by Erin Hanson says, “What if I fall? Oh, but my darling, what if you fly.” I want to encourage people to overcome fear and embrace potential around health and nutrition. I hope to help them focus on the incredible possibilities of taking risks and working towards pursuing their dreams in life, rather than holding on to fear of failure.