Her Story
About Theresa
.Theresa Zangerle-McArtin, RD, CDN
Theresa Zangerle-McArtin is a registered dietitian based in Wappingers Falls, New York, with more than 15 years of experience helping individuals improve their health through nutrition. Throughout her career, she has worked with patients across the lifespan—from infancy through geriatric care—and has developed particular expertise and interest in eating disorders, SIBO, gastrointestinal conditions, and preventative nutrition.
Theresa’s path into nutrition was anything but traditional. She began her education in culinary school and community college before continuing her studies at a university and Lehman College. That combination of culinary training and clinical nutrition continues to influence the way she works with patients today: food recommendations need to be not only evidence-based, but realistic enough to become part of a person’s everyday life.
Her passion for nutrition is also deeply personal. After experiencing severe, debilitating arthritis herself, Theresa made significant dietary changes and saw a profound improvement in her quality of life. That experience strengthened her belief in preventative medicine and sparked a lasting interest in understanding the factors that may contribute to a person’s symptoms rather than looking at nutrition through a one-size-fits-all lens.
At the center of Theresa’s philosophy is a simple belief: nobody fits into a box. She believes strongly in meeting people where they are—not only in a particular moment, but in the season of life they are navigating. Empathy, listening, and understanding an individual’s circumstances are fundamental to the way she approaches patient care.
Theresa is particularly passionate about supporting young women and women affected by eating disorders. She also has a strong personal interest in advancing awareness and research surrounding autism, developmental disabilities, and PANS, inspired in part by her experiences as the mother of a child with developmental disabilities and autism.
Beyond clinical practice, Theresa is an experienced and award-recognized speaker who enjoys translating complex nutrition concepts into information people can understand and use. Whether she is working one-on-one with a patient, educating a group, or speaking to a larger audience, her goal remains the same: understand the person in front of her, meet them where they are, and help them build from there.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Theresa
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute much of my success to the people around me—my family, friends, and colleagues. I believe we are constantly learning from one another, often in ways we don’t expect. I even learn from my children every day. They have taught me to look at life differently, to be more understanding, and, most importantly, to be patient.
Over the years, I have learned that patience is one of the keys to success. Not everything happens on the timeline we expect, whether in our careers, our relationships, or our personal lives. Sometimes success means continuing to show up, learning from the people around you, and giving things the time they need to grow.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I ever received came from a COO I worked with. He told me, “If something comes across your desk and you can take care of it, do it right away.” That advice has stayed with me throughout my career.
I try not to let things sit unnecessarily. If something needs my attention and I have the ability to address it, I take care of it. It has helped me stay organized, be dependable, and keep things moving forward. It’s a simple piece of advice, but it has become an important part of my work ethic.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Nobody fits neatly into a box. Every person has their own story, circumstances, challenges, and strengths. I believe you have to meet people where they are—not just in that particular moment, but in the season of life they are currently navigating.
What works for one person may not work for another, and that’s okay. Taking the time to understand where someone is allows you to support them in a way that is realistic and meaningful. From there, you can build together and help them move toward where they want to be.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in my work is working with so many different personalities, but it is also one of the greatest joys. Every person thinks, communicates, and approaches change differently. Over time, you learn to have grace for people and to accept them for where they are in that moment.
Rather than expecting everyone to fit into the same approach, I believe in meeting people where they are, understanding what they need, and building from there. Progress looks different for everyone. My role is to work alongside each person, build on their strengths, and help them take meaningful steps toward where they want and need to be.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Empathy is incredibly important to me. I believe that having empathy and being willing to understand another person is essential in every area of life, both professionally and personally. We never fully know what someone else may be carrying or experiencing, which is why it is so important to take the time to understand where they are coming from.
When we approach people with empathy rather than judgment, we create an environment where they feel heard, respected, and supported. That understanding allows us to meet people where they are, recognize that everyone’s circumstances are different, and work together to help them move forward. To me, empathy is at the heart of building meaningful relationships and being able to truly help another person.
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