The Chain Effect Difference

Combining psychology and habit science to foster a healthy relationship with food.
Our focus on accountability builds a trusting relationship and a safe space to dig deep.
Not everyone is the same. Diet plans and sessions are tailored to your specific needs.
We love food and value the importance of enjoying it.
We are experts in weight management, disease prevention, fitness performance, and diabetes education.

Our Registered Dietitians

Caroline Pope

MS, RDN, LDN, Owner

Caroline Pope began practicing as a Registered Dietitian in 2015 after completing her Master of Science in Nutrition from Meredith College and her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from UNC Chapel Hill. This union of educational pursuits presents her with the opportunity to dig deep into the “why” guiding each of her patient’s relationship with food. Combining Motivational Interviewing techniques with evidence-based clinical reasoning, she develops a safe and intimate space for her clients to simultaneously “get it all out there” and inspire real lasting change, all while developing a healthier relationship with food. Starting her career at UNC Rex Bariatric Specialists granted her front line exposure to a patient population known for a high degree of complexity and co-morbidities. This experience required an increased level of precision and individualized attention to detail that she has found invaluable to her practice at Chain Effect. At the end of the day, instilling and fostering accountability remains the most successful and evidenced based tool for achieving results. While she continues to enjoy and excel at helping patients with weight loss and preventing disease, her interests have expanded into perinatal care, gut health, and integrative and functional medicine. When she isn’t counseling or managing the nutrition pillar at Chain Effect, she is most likely running after one or both of her two boys (three, if you count Taylor).

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Eddie Fitzgerald

RDN, LDN

Eddie Fitzgerald has been practicing as a Registered Dietitian since 2018, after completing his Bachelor of Science in Food and Nutrition from Appalachian State University and internships with the United States Army Special Operations Command, Charles George VA Medical Center, and YMCA of Western North Carolina. His interest in nutrition started with a desire to see athletes take their performance to higher levels through proper fueling strategies, and has since evolved into a passion for helping people of all walks of life reap the benefits of a performance-oriented approach. He believes that how we eat and our relationship with food directly affects how we feel both physically and emotionally. Combining an ability to coach individuals through life’s many twists and turns, an evidence-based approach to solution finding, and Motivational Interviewing techniques he meets clients where they are and encourages them to take the right steps towards where they want to be. Movement and training have been a part of his daily routine since he was 14 years old. Over the years Eddie has become proficient in the powerlifts, run track and field, boxed competitively, and recently turned his gaze towards the Olympic Lifts. When he isn’t working with clients, training himself, or in the kitchen, he can be found with his wife and son enjoying the present moment and whatever silliness that might hold.

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Victoria Vucich

RDN, LDN, CSCS

Victoria Vucich began practicing as a Registered Dietitian in 2020 after completing her Dietetic Internship through Johns Hopkins Medicine. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Applied Nutrition with a minor in Sports Science from North Carolina State University and went on to complete her Didactic Program in Dietetics at UNC-Greensboro. Her interest in nutrition and wellness began early after sustaining a career-ending injury that prevented her from playing collegiate athletics. During her rehabilitation, she became intrigued with how food for fuel impacts performance, injury prevention, and recovery. This set her on her path to not only study nutrition sciences, but to also become a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist to support her spirited interest in the interrelatedness of exercise science. Blending both credentials, she provides evidence-based recommendations for those looking to optimize athletic performance via proper nutrition and training periodization. Victoria has also seen great success working with clients interested in weight management, improving health measures, and managing comorbidities, to name a few. Her priority is to treat each client as an individual and find solutions that fit their needs, preferences, and lifestyles. She believes in “uncomplicating” food choices and strives to share research in an easy-to-understand way. When she is not counseling you can find her training at the gym, snacking on something somewhere, or playing pickup volleyball.

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Sydney Anderson

RDN, LDN

Sydney Anderson began practicing as a dietitian in 2020 after completing her dual Master of
Science/Dietetic Internship in Nutrition and Physical Performance from Saint Louis University
and Bachelor of Science in Nutrition from Kent State University. She initially developed a strong
interest in nutrition to optimize her own performance while playing NCAA Division I softball, but
this evolved into a passion to help other athletes do the same. Beginning her career as a Sports
Nutrition Assistant for the University of Louisville football team, Sydney gained valuable
experience providing nutrition education and medical nutrition therapy to 100+ student-athletes
with various food preferences, cultural and religious beliefs, and medical and performance
needs at the highest college level. She eventually experienced a gradual shift toward intuitive
eating and fostering an “all foods fit” model as she recovered from disordered eating and
chronic depression. She is very passionate about mental health and helping others mend their
relationship with food, find enjoyment in eating, and turn away from fad diets and restrictive
eating practices to help them attain long-term results. Additionally, Sydney has great success
facilitating weight and acute/chronic disease management by practicing medical nutrition
therapy, utilizing motivational interviewing strategies, taking a personalized approach, and
exhibiting empathy, compassion, and humor to create a welcoming atmosphere for clients.
When she is not counseling clients, navigating the research, or studying to become a Certified
Specialist in Sports Dietetics, you can find her at the CrossFit gym, eating pizza, or chasing her
crazy dog Milo.

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How We Can Help You

Nutrition management is quite possibly the most important foundation to our core belief that “Every Link Strengthens the Chain.” Nothing in our life plays a more vital role than the fuel we provide our bodies. Why else would most insurance companies provide “free to the patient” nutrition counseling as part of their yearly preventative services benefit? And yet, most people are gravely mistaken that the knowledge of what to eat, alone, will give them the tools of how to manage our day to day intake. The evidence is clear: the most effective way to achieve sustainable results and long-term health outcomes is by making a Registered Dietitian a central member of your healthcare team. Let’s face it, there is unlimited nutrition information available to us in this digital age, so why are we still struggling to optimize our nutrition and manage our goals effectively? Accountability is the secret sauce to your success, and at Chain Effect, our dietitians are committed to you and will guide you the entire way.

Our registered dietitians can help you optimize your nutrition and manage your goals effectively

Telehealth Appointments

All of our nutrition counseling sessions are currently virtual and are in-network with BCBS NC, UnitedHealthcare, Cigna, Aetna and MedCost. Most insurance plans make these services “free” to the patient, meaning no out-of-pocket expenses, as nutrition counseling is considered a valuable component to preventative care. We verify your benefits prior to your session.

No insurance? No worries. Our cash pay appointments range from $83-$124.