Accountability is the secret sauce to your success, and at Chain Effect, our dietitians are committed to you and will guide you to your goals.

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, co-owner of Chain Effect and one of the registered dietitians for nutrition counseling at Chain Effect

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, one of the registered dietitians for nutrition counseling at Chain Effect

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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Amanda Palya

MPS, RDN, LDN

Amanda has been recognized as a Registered Dietitian since 2014 after completing her Dietetic Internship at the James A. Haley VA Medical Center. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics from the University of Dayton and later completed her Master of Professional Studies with a focus in Public Health Administration through Fort Hays State University. She spent most of her career at multiple VA medical centers across the country assisting Veterans with complex needs. Through her time working in homecare, she developed a counseling approach that places value on each client’s unique nutritional needs and health goals. Amanda dedicated her time in outpatient to providing education and employing creative, evidence-based disease management strategies to empower patients, allowing them to take control of their health. While she enjoys all areas of nutrition, she has developed a special interest in prenatal nutrition and women’s health. Her nutrition beliefs are deeply rooted in helping individuals develop a sound mindset to allow for slow, sustainable changes. She fosters a whole health approach when working with clients to help ensure success and aims to assist her clients in achieving their goals through her philosophy; that change should stem from enjoyment and motivation rather than obligation. In addition to an interest in nutrition, she has always been very active and holds a NASM Certified Personal Training Certification. When she is not counseling, Amanda is either on an outdoor adventure with her husband and two young kids, exercising, or doing a handstand somewhere she shouldn’t be.

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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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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, and Aetna. 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.

Call (919) 594-1885 to book an appointment today!

What Our Patients Say

I have been seeing Mrs. Caroline Pope at Chain Effect for about six months now and I couldn’t be more pleased with how she and the team at Chain Effect have treated me. I have struggled to gain weight as long as I can remember, but within the past 6 months I have seen incredible results not only to my weight but to my overall health and well-being due to her care and persistence in providing me with meal plans, tips, and general interest in helping me to achieve the weight I desire. Since the visits I have been eating more healthy and in turn it has really improved my appetite and sleeping habits. I recommend her to anyone trying to gain weight, lose weight, or live an overall healthier and more sustainable way of life!

Trent

I have had an amazing experience with Eddie Fitzgerald. He is one of the nutritionist at Chain Effect. They have transitioned to telehealth seamlessly. Eddie is super knowledgable and consistent! Cannot recommend this place enough!

Richard R.

Caroline has been wonderful. I’ve only been seeing her for a couple short months now, and have seen such a drastic improvement and change in my weight and well-being when following her suggestions. I’m a new mom, so finding ways to eat right and exercise have been difficult, but Caroline has completely helped change my lifestyle. The atmosphere is very welcoming, and the rest of the staff are very kind as well. Definitely will continue going.

Meridith S.

I have been working with Eddie Fitzgerald, RD. Like most people, seeking guidance on how to improve your diet and life can be a little nerve racking. Eddie will but you at ease and help you achieve your goal. He understands that life happens and working through the challenges is part of creating change that will stick. FYI his services are normally covered by health insurance, usually with no out of pocket expense.

Megan C.

Caroline Pope has been a great RD to work with. I see her because despite a healthy diet and regular exercise I have very stubborn weight to lose, Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis and a high A1C. She helped me make small changes that have had a huge impact on my health. No supplements, major calorie deficits, etc, but instead tracking macros, eating at specific times during the day and adjusting water consumption. She has suggested great foods to add to my eating routine and I’m making awesome progress. If you are debating seeing an RD I highly recommend her.

Rachel G.

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