I'm Kelly Derwick, a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and the founder of ProActive Plates, LLC. I earned my Bachelor of Science in Dietetics from the University of Florida, completed my dietetic internship at Meredith College, and went on to earn a Master of Science in Entrepreneurship from the University of Florida. I have been a Registered Dietitian since 2020.

My career has given me experience working with people across a wide range of health and nutrition needs. I began my career in personal training before becoming the nutrition department head at an intensive cardiac rehabilitation facility, where I taught nutrition workshops and cooking demonstrations and provided one-on-one counseling for individuals managing heart disease and diabetes. I later worked as a renal dietitian with Fresenius Kidney Care, supporting individuals with end-stage renal disease and other health conditions, followed by work with Florida Kidney Physicians providing preventative nutrition counseling for people with chronic kidney disease and other health concerns. More recently, I have provided weight-management support, including nutrition counseling for individuals using GLP-1 medications.

Through these experiences, I've fostered my passion for helping people understand how nutrition can support their health—and, just as importantly, helping them turn that knowledge into realistic changes they can maintain over time.

I believe nutrition care should be personalized, practical, and free from judgment. There is no single way of eating that works for everyone, and lasting change rarely comes from following a rigid set of rules. My goal is to meet you where you are, understand what matters to you, and work together to develop strategies that fit your health needs, preferences, and everyday life.

I also understand that making changes to your health isn't always easy because I've experienced my own challenges with weight and health. That personal experience has given me a deeper understanding of the emotions, frustrations, and obstacles that can come with trying to make lasting changes. I bring both professional expertise and personal empathy to my work, allowing me to connect with patients and develop realistic strategies that support long-term success.

I started ProActive Plates because I see a need for accessible, personalized, in-person nutrition support in the Cape Coral and surrounding Southwest Florida community. My goal is to help individuals feel more confident in their nutrition, make meaningful changes to their health, and build habits that can last a lifetime.