For Marlo Paredes, serving as SFCHC’s registered dietitian is more than her profession – it’s a way of empowering people to heal their relationship with food. Through medical nutrition therapy, she guides patients on their journey toward balanced living—one small step at a time.
“I tell patients the longest relationship they’ll ever have in life is with food,” Marlo said. “The question is whether they want that relationship to be toxic or healthy.”
Marlo, who joined the SFCHC team in July 2025, recommends two key ingredients for better health: food and exercise. Her wholistic approach to patient care connects physical health, emotional well-being and cultural understanding. She works closely with SFCHC’s providers and behavioral health specialists to meet the individual needs of each patient.
“Especially during the holidays, many people feel anxious and guilty every time they eat,” she said. “We honor our patients where they are and reassure them it’s okay to eat the foods they enjoy, with some strategy. “We start with small, attainable goals that help them see progress and heal their relationship with food.”
Marlo also encourages physical activity that fits each person’s ability. “The best way to start is by walking one hour, three times a week,” she said. “If mobility is limited, regular stretching is a great place to begin. We even offer options such as chair yoga and light weightlifting for patients in wheelchairs or with mobility challenges.”
Marlo’s one-on-one guidance helps patients track their glucose levels and feel excited about their success. One patient lowered his A1C from 12 to 6 in just three months—a transformation that shows what’s possible with the right support.
Before joining SFCHC, Marlo spent nearly two decades in the wellness and nutrition field, developing health-focused programs and products, and providing nutrition therapy in private practice. Her expertise also has been featured in several magazines and podcasts.
Marlo holds a Bachelor of Science in foods and nutrition with an emphasis in dietetics from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, where she was inducted into the Phi Upsilon Omicron honor society. She then completed a master’s track and dietetic internship at Marywood University in Scranton, Pennsylvania. A bilingual registered dietitian, she provides care in both English and Spanish.
