About Melissa
Melissa Hardy (her/she) is a dietitian and proud Newfoundlander with Mi’kmaq ancestry who left home in 2010 to pursue a bachelor of science in human nutrition and an integrated dietetic internship diploma at St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, Nova Scotia.
Melissa is passionate about the ever-changing science of nutrition and takes advantage of every opportunity to increase the tools available in her nutrition toolbox to best suit client needs. Melissa holds board certified designations as a Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE), a Board Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics (CSSD), and has also obtained a graduate diploma in sports nutrition through the International Olympic Committee.
Melissa devoted 6 years of her career to providing diverse nutrition education throughout rural communities. From fly-in Cree First Nations on the James and Hudson Bay Coast in Northern Ontario to Grey County in Southern Ontario, and in 2020 she finally back on the East Coast residing in Antigonish, Nova Scotia. Melissa is the owner and lead dietitian at East Coast Performance Nutrition, where virtual technology allows Melissa to connect with people all over the East Coast.
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In her spare time, she enjoys recreational racing and outdoor activities that involve movement and connecting with nature. Melissa is no stranger to athletics and attributes her work ethic to her background in competitive sports. In 2013 she claimed the Atlantic University Sport cross country female athlete of the year and in 2019 Melissa qualified for age group Team Canada for the International Triathlon Union World Triathlon Grand Final. As a competitive athlete and dietitian, Melissa recognizes the need for credible evidenced based and practical nutrition education in sport and life. At East Coast Performance Nutrition, Melissa provides individualized nutrition recommendations with the goal of reaching optimal health and performance potential.
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Melissa approaches dietetics with the same passion and energy as athletics. Early in her career she was recognized with an Association Catalyst Award through Dietitians of Canada for exceptional contributions to the profession through advocacy for Indigenous knowledge within dietetics. Melissa’s office is a safe space where your beliefs and values are respected while mutually agreeing on practical science-based holistic interventions that fit your way of life.
Credentials
Registered Dietitian - Nutritionist (RD)
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Bachelor of science in human nutrition
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1-year integrated dietetic internship training in all fields of dietetics
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Successful completion the Canadian dietetic registration exam
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Regulated health care professional with the Nova Scotia College of Dietitians and Nutritionists
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Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE)
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A minimum of 800 practice hours in diabetes education
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Successfully completed the Canadian Diabetes Educator’s Certification Board Exam
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Required to re certify every 5 years with repeat examination
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Board Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics (CSSD)
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2000 hours of sport dietetics practice experience as an RD over a 5-year period
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Successfully completed the American Board-Certified Specialist in Sports Dieteitics Exam
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Required to re certify every 5 years with repeat examination
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International Olympic Committee Graduate Sport Nutrition Diploma
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Renowned 2-year part time course delivered online by the leading experts in sports nutrition and exercise physiology from across the globe.
Professional Development
Additional Courses
2020 | Nutrigenomics: Genetic Testing for Personalized Nutrition, Dietitians of Canada (10-hour online course)
2019 - 2020 | Eating Disorders for Registered Dietitians, EDs for RDs (1-year online course)
2019 | Integrative Functional Nutrition Academy: 6 online modules on Integrative Functional Nutrition
2015 | Intensive Sport Nutrition, Dietitians of Canada/Sport Dietitians of Australia (4-day course, Calgary AB)
2015 | Sport Supplements, Dietitians of Canada (online course)
2015 | Drug and Nutrient Interactions, Dietitians of Canada (online course)
2015 | Vitamin and Mineral Supplements, Dietitians of Canada (online course)
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Conferences
2023 | The Female Athlete Conference, virtual conference.
2020 | Worldwide Sport Nutrition Conference, virtual conference.
2020 | Canadian Nutrition Society: Advances in Nutrition - Mental Health Across the Lifespan, Toronto ON
2019 | Native American Nutrition Conference, Prior Lake MN, USA
(The only conference in the world devoted to the food and nutrition of Indigenous peoples)
2019 | Microbiome in Primary Care and Maternal Health, Women and their Microbes, Hamilton ON
2018 | Canadian Nutrition Society: Advances in Nutrition - Daily living to high performance sport, Toronto ON
2017 | Food as Medicine 2017 Update - Microbiome at the Bedside and Beyond, Toronto ON
2017 | Dietitians of Canada Annual Conference, St Johns NL
2017 | Sick Kids Pediatric Diabetes Networking Event, Toronto ON (also attended in 2015 and 2016)
2016 | Canadian Diabetes Association Annual Conference, Ottawa ON (also attended in 2015, Winnipeg MB)
2016 | Medical Psychiatry Alliance Annual Conference, Toronto ON
2015 | Diabetes Clinical Practice Guidelines Update, Toronto ON