Alison G. Acerra, MS, RD

Alison G. Acerra, MS, RD is a Registered Dietitian / Nutrition Consultant originally from New York. She received her undergraduate degree in Applied Nutrition at The Pennsylvania State University and continued her graduate studies at New York University where she earned her Master’s of Science degree in Clinical Nutrition. 

Alison is also a Certified Lifestyles Counselor specializing in stress and weight management. The training program that she took gives her skills that have been shown in large controlled clinical trials to be effective in helping people reduce weight in a healthy way. There is more information on the program at the American Association for Lifestyles Counselors.

Alison is currently working as Ambulatory Care Dietitian at the San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center where she conducts individual and group nutrition counseling sessions on weight management, diabetes prevention and management, gastric bypass surgery and cancer treatment. She works closely with veterans struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression and anxiety and assists them in making nutrition and lifestyle changes with the goal of preventing, treating and/or managing chronic disease.  

Alison is conscious of the strong link that exists between emotions and food choices.  She believes the most supportive and effective environment for the individual seeking help for nutrition related issues employs not only the dietitian, but the mental health therapist, as well.  Alison serves as coach, motivator, educator and counselor for her clients.  By performing each of these roles interchangeably, she assists her clients in achieving the knowledge, strategies, and behaviors needed to make real, lasting changes that can remain with the individual for life.  

If you are interested in a nutritional consultation, please contact Alison directly or speak with your current Gateway Provider and he or she will refer you for an initial nutrition consultation.  For the most effective assessment, Alison asks that you complete a simple Nutrition Questionnaire, which will ask you about your current nutrition-related concerns, expectations and goals as well as other lifestyle habits.  She also asks that you keep a detailed food record, using the Food Record Sheet, of everything you eat and drink over a 3-day period, including amounts, time of day, method of food preparation, product names, etc.   The more information you can give, the more accurate will be your assessment!   It is also both important and beneficial, but not required, to have recent blood work done which should include a fasting lipid panel, glucose and hemoglobin A1c. 

You may obtain the Nutrition Questionnaire and Food Record Sheet from the office or you can download them from the links below.

Prior to first visit:  please send by mail or fax to Gateway:

• completed Wellness and Lifestyles Questionnaire

• completed Food Record Sheet for 3 days

• fasting lipid panel, glucose and hemoglobin A1c 

Initial Consultation: 75 minutes $140.00

When you meet with Alison for the first time, she will review your questionnaire responses and discuss your concerns and goals and how she will assist you in achieving them.  She will take your weight, review your lab values as well as provide a computerized nutrient analysis of your current food intake.  This will detail your calorie intake, macro- and micronutrient profile.  From there, Alison will provide you with feedback and help you identify changes you can make in your diet and/or lifestyle.  

Follow-Up Visit: 45 minutes $105.00

You and Alison will discuss the optimal length between visits, as this varies among each individual. She feels strongly, however that like any therapy, close follow up with your dietitian is important and helps to foster an environment more conducive to successful change and support through the care process. During your subsequent visits, you can discuss your successes and obstacles, as well as concerns and new problems. Alison will help you to identify strategies to overcoming the barriers which prevent you from making important changes to meeting your goals.