Eating healthy can be a challenge at times {especially living where we do, helloooo pizza and Italian delis on every corner}. But with the right help and guidance, however, many of us could adopt a healthier lifestyle — one meal at a time. Enter, Vanessa Rissetto, a local dietitian and nutritionist helping Hoboken and Jersey City residents make each day and meal a bit healthier. As Hoboken Girl of the Week, find out how Vanessa got her start, what the best + toughest parts of her job are, and more. Keep reading to learn all about Vanessa Rissetto, a dietitian and nutritionist serving the Hoboken community and beyond {plus head to our Instagram for her exclusive IG Stories takeover!}.
{Photo credit: Jennifer Nilsen Photography}
Tell us about yourself.
I’m a registered dietitian/nutritionist, I actually have an MBA, and went back to school to become an RD. I did my internship at Mount Sinai where I worked for many years, then decided to get another certification in Adult Weight Management and start seeing clients on my own.
{Photo credit: Lauren Anzevino}
What made you want to start your own business?
I’m not into the nonsense and I find that in the corporate world —there’s a lot of that. I couldn’t navigate around that very well, so I thought I could run my own thing, answer to myself {and sometimes my husband — thanks, Mike and often my accountant — thank you, Sara Laufer}, and be there for my kids while making just as much money as when I worked for others.
See More: Ashley Hearon-Smith: Scary Mommy Speaks Co-Host + HudsonCounty60
What made you want to become a dietitian/nutritionist?
I always had an interest in medicine and science after grad school and a career in marketing. They let me take some nutrition classes and 13 years later here I am. If I was younger and had unlimited resources I would go back to school and become a doctor — maybe in my next life. I always want to help people in an actionable way and this is the best way I know-how.
What is the hardest part of your job?
Sometimes people are unsuccessful and I take it hard, as though maybe there was more I could have done. It’s hard to realize that I can’t make anyone do anything.
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
When someone reaches the goal they set out to achieve — not always weight loss either. Could be controlling their blood sugar for a diabetic, or not being constipated anymore {I talk about poop all day} — whatever people want to get done.f I can help them get there, that makes it all worthwhile.
{Photo credit: Jennifer Nilsen Photography}
Who is your biggest source of inspiration?
Any entrepreneur getting up every day working their business. It’s hard to go to work for yourself every day, having to count on yourself to make it all happen. It’s much easier to go to work and have someone else pay you; if you’re having a tough day, or time, maybe you can ease up a bit, when you work for yourself every day it’s a grind and if you’re not grinding you aren’t making money. But, if you’ve never endured, or worked at anything, then you never amount to anything, so in the end, it’s worth it.
What are your goals for this year?
I hope to scale this into something bigger and have other nutritionists working with me. I had a client {in Nashville} tell me that she wished she could tell all the women in her office to just work with me because she saw them killing themselves eating lettuce and working out 2x per day with limited success. She told me that I helped her realize that “dieting” has to be flexible or it’s never going to work, and I held her accountable every day which helped her reach her goal.
What’s a typical day look like for you?
Wake up at 5:00AM, exercise, get my kids off to school, walk my dog, and then run around town like a crazy person. I’m either in my office at the Monroe Center, or NYC, or working part-time at Hoboken University Medical Center {always like to keep up those clinical skills}, then back to my office, then to meet my kids and help my nanny cart them off to whatever activity they have going on. Get home, whip up dinner, get the kids ready for bed, do follow-up emails/summaries, watch some TV, and read, go to bed.
Read More: Kitten BnB: A Hoboken AirBnB Complete with Adoptable Kittens
{Photo credit: Lauren Anzevino}
What has been the highlight of your career so far?
I’ve gotten to work with all kinds of people and I think that is what has been the most amazing part of the whole thing. Celebrities, CEOs of Fortune 500 Companies, and the regular guy down the street have all come into my office and I have helped them just the same — I think it has taught me so much about people and in the end, we really are exactly the same.
What are some of the healthy restaurants that you frequent in the area?
Ok, I eat almost every single meal at home. It’s not for any reason except I have kids and I like to cook. We do order pizza from Napoli’s on Fridays and frequent Dozzino because I have an Italian husband and we like pizza. I also don’t subscribe to healthy vs. not healthy. If you want to have a burger and fries, then definitely do that. If you want to have a salad — Pure PIta has a killer seared tuna with wasabi dressing and the Quality Greens’ chef plate is pretty legit — double vegetables and protein. Frankie and Ava’s is also amazing — they’ve got grilled chicken and broccoli rabe and some pretty stellar sandwiches —including the Rissetto. My point is you can find healthy things and not mess up your “diet” at just about any place -—call me and I’ll help you figure it out.
What advice do you have for people trying to eat healthy while on a budget?
If you get staple things to always have on hand, like fruit, yogurts, rotisserie chicken, and some frozen vegetables, you can whip something up in a pinch. Then look at the week ahead, how many days do you have something planned and work around that. Making breakfast at home, bringing in snacks, and having lunch out no more than 3x/week is a good start.
Tell us about another business in the area you admire.
Well, another entrepreneur who I think is crushing it is Marc Magliozzi of Dozzino’s, Corto, and Bread and Salt. . . I’m impressed by his dedication, tenacity, and delicious food. My kids look forward to their Friday night pizza runs to visit with Mr. Marc.
{Photo credit: Lauren Anzevino}
Hoboken + Jersey City Favorites
What is your favorite restaurant in Hoboken?
Anthony & David’s {I’ve been here since I graduated college in 2000 and this will never ever change — I love this place}.
What is your favorite boutique in Hoboken??
Up + Out! Can I say that? I know it’s not technically a boutique but I spend all my money on blowouts. I love those girls!
What do you love most about Hoboken?
Convenience and ease. I live in an amazing building, with awesome neighbors with kids all the same age, so it’s so nice to be able to just spot people I know down the street and have impromptu parties, dinners, and ice creams dates.
What is your favorite thing to do in Hudson County?
EAT! I’m serious, I love food, so if there’s a new spot, please tell me about it.
How long have you lived in Hoboken?
Circa 2000 — my husband says we are never ever leaving and I’m pretty much down for that!
What is your favorite outdoor place to spend time in Hoboken?
Duh Pier 13! Also, that Newport Beach is pretty good for the kids.
What is your favorite place to work out in Hudson County?
Intermix Strength — Cynthia is an AMAZING coach — very knowledgeable if getting strong is what you’re looking to do — then call her.
Where do you go out with friends in the area?
That’s what’s amazing about this area, every time we go out it’s someplace different and we are rarely disappointed. Of course, we have staples —Zack’s, Bin14, The Madison, City Bistro, I can go on and on —but each time we pick someplace new to explore and I love that about this little town.
What is something you think needs to come to Hoboken?
A pool club, please!
Is there else you want to share about yourself?
I just want to support people in becoming the best versions of themselves they can be.
Keep up with Vanessa online at her website, vanessarissettord.com, via email at vanessa@vanessarissetto.com, or via phone by calling her at 212-729-6513.
Want to be featured or nominate someone as an upcoming Hoboken Girl or Guy of the Week?
Fill out our application here!
