Despina Gandhi, MS, RD, CDN, CDE
REGISTERED DIETICIAN, CERTIFIED DIABETES EDUCATOR
Diabetes Care
Cardiovascular Health
Weight Management
Client Focus: Adults, Weight Management Clients, Diabetes Patients, Bariatric Surgery Patients, Perimenopause and Menopause Support
Specialties: Weight management, bariatric surgery support, GLP-1 supervision, diabetes care, cardiovascular health, metabolic wellness, gastrointestinal health, prenatal and postnatal nutrition
Treatment Methods: Individualized nutrition therapy, metabolic assessment, diabetes self-management education, holistic wellness planning, culturally responsive counseling
Despina Gandhi is a Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Educator who brings over a decade of specialized experience in medical nutrition therapy to her practice at Appleman Nutrition.
With particular expertise in complex weight management, diabetes care, and metabolic health, she creates individualized treatment approaches that honor each client's unique circumstances, cultural background, and wellness goals. Despina's philosophy centers on finding the root cause of health concerns rather than applying one-size-fits-all solutions, empowering clients to develop sustainable skills that support optimal wellness for life.
Her clinical approach is deeply informed by her extensive experience at NYU's Weight Management Program, where she provided comprehensive nutrition counseling to both surgical and non-surgical patients for over a decade. This specialized background has given her unique insight into the complex nature of obesity, metabolism, and weight regulation, including firsthand experience with the evolution of GLP-1 medications from their early therapeutic use to today's sophisticated applications. Despina's expertise extends beyond individual counseling to include facilitating support groups, developing educational materials, and translating complex nutrition science into accessible guidance for diverse populations.
With a Master's degree in Clinical Nutrition from New York University and advanced certifications in diabetes education and adult weight management, Despina combines academic rigor with practical, real-world application. Her role as an adjunct professor in NYU's nutrition graduate program, where she teaches a bariatric surgery course she developed, demonstrates her commitment to advancing the field while staying current with emerging research and best practices. Her transition to private practice reflects her desire to provide more personalized, comprehensive care that truly meets each client's individual needs.
Despina's personal life reflects the same balanced approach to wellness she advocates professionally. She finds joy and renewal through outdoor activities like walking and hiking, playing tennis, reading, and spending quality time with her three daughters. These pursuits embody her belief that optimal health encompasses not just nutritional choices, but also movement, intellectual engagement, and meaningful connections with loved ones.
Despina's decade-long experience in a premier weight management program has equipped her with sophisticated understanding of metabolic health, bariatric surgery support, and the nuanced application of GLP-1 medications for sustainable weight management.
Her expertise spans the cultural and socioeconomic diversity of NYC, allowing her to create practical, realistic nutrition recommendations that honor clients' backgrounds, preferences, and life circumstances.
Despina's academic role and media contributions demonstrate her commitment to translating complex nutrition science into accessible, evidence-based guidance that empowers clients to make informed decisions about their health.