Meet Your Mackenthun's Registered Dietitian
Andrew Akhaphong, MS, RD, LD
Education
- Doctorate in Clinical Nutrition, Kansas University Medical Center (Clinical Nutrition), 2024
- MS, University of Central Arkansas (Health Promotion), 2020
- Certificate, Escoffier International Culinary Academy (Culinary Foundations), 2016
- Residency, Bluffton University (Public Health and Gastroenterology), 2014
- BS, Minnesota State University, Mankato (Family Consumer Science), 2013
Training, Licensures, and Certifications
- Registered Dietitian # 86000712
- Minnesota Licensed Dietitian # 3431
- Precision Nutrition Level 1 Certified
- American Council on Exercise Weight Management Specialist
- Certificate of Completion in the Low FODMAP Diet for Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Monash University
- Certificate of Training in Adult Weight Management, CDR
Your Registered Dietitian's Journey Began with Family
Andrew’s father (light blue shirt) and his uncles at Oubon Refugee Camp, Thailand 1970s.
Andrew’s father (top middle) with his uncles at Oubon Refugee Camp, Thailand early 1980s.
Andrew, a native of Minnesota, was raised in a family of Vietnam War refugees. Throughout his childhood, he stumbled upon hidden photo albums scattered around his home. Among them were images that struck a chord with him, prompting a curiosity about his parents’ past. Tales of resilience filled his upbringing; his mother recounted harrowing experiences of scavenging for sustenance in animal excrement, while his father and siblings braved perilous jungles teeming with landmines and concealed Viet Cong soldiers to gather coconuts for water.
These tales of survival carried with them the weight of intergenerational trauma. Having endured scarcity in refugee camps, Andrew’s parents instilled in him a deep-seated belief that food is a precious gift not to be squandered. This mindset contributed to Andrew developing a larger physique, subjecting him to bullying throughout elementary school and persisting into middle school, ultimately triggering an eating disorder. It was not until his freshman year of college, when he enrolled in an Introduction to Nutrition course, that Andrew discovered his passion for becoming a registered dietitian. The class delved into malnutrition, showcasing its profound impact through visual aids that resonated deeply with him, prompting a reflection on the photographs of his family he had encountered earlier. This revelation shed light on both the effects of food deprivation on his own health and the behaviors exhibited by his parents. Throughout his academic journey, Andrew embarked on a path of recovery, though he also grappled with irritable bowel syndrome, suspected to be a consequence of his prolonged struggle with an eating disorder. (read more).
Andrew’s personal journey equips him with the invaluable ability to empathize with his clients, offering them understanding and patience. As your provider, Andrew warmly welcomes you, ready to offer nutritional care and support tailored to your individual journey toward health and wellness.
Specialty Practices
- Diabetes
- Heart Health
- Weight Management
- Sports Nutrition
- Integrative Nutrition
- Menopause
- Disordered Eating
- Food Allergies and Intolerances
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
- Celiac Disease
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Book an Appointment
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Collaborative Partnerships
Lakeview Clinic Catalyst Clinic Move+Well Chiropractic and Wellness Sunny Days Therapy Safari Island Elite Nutrition
Practice Philosophies
The HAES® (Health at Every Size) is a holistic approach that focuses on promoting health and well-being for people of all sizes, rather than placing emphasis on weight loss as a marker of health. We recognize that weight is not a reliable indicator of health, and that weight-based discrimination and weight loss efforts can be harmful. The American Medical Association announced on June 2023 that the BMI (body mass index) should not be used as an indicator of health (read more).
The delivery of culturally inclusive care is a fundamental principle of our health and wellness services that recognizes the diversity of individuals and their unique cultural backgrounds. It emphasizes the importance of respect, understanding, and valuing the cultural beliefs, practices, and preferences of their patients. By embracing culturally inclusive care, we can provide more effective and patient-centered services. this approach not only enhances communication and trust between healthcare providers and patients but ensures that healthcare decisions and treatments are culturally sensitive and relevant (read more).
Individualized care is the essence of patient-centered healthcare. We acknowledge that each person’s journey is distinct and unique. In an individualized care model, we work closely with patients to create tailored treatment plans that are specific to them and no one else. This approach not only fosters a deeper and more collaborative patient-provider relationship but also ensures that decisions and interventions are realistic and align with the patient’s best interests (read more).
Evidenced-based scientific information is the core of our care. It allows us to ensure the education we provide is current and accurate while the delivery of care is safe and effective. Sources we use include the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, Examine, and Up-to-Date (read more).
