Hi, I'm Mona
— and yes, MS bites.
I'm a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN), specializing in Multiple Sclerosis (MS), cancer survivor, and someone who's been living with relapsing-remitting MS since 2008.
I understand the unpredictable nature of this disease, the days you can't feel your feet, the days fatigue wipes out your plans, and the days when pain, cognition, or mobility get in the way of even the smallest tasks. And I know how quickly nutrition becomes confusing and emotionally loaded once it gets tangled up with MS and wellness woo.
THE DIAGNOSIS
When I was newly diagnosed, I felt that same loss of control so many people with MS describe. And like you, I saw the endless stream of diets, protocols, and miracle claims promising that if I just ate the "right" way, I could reclaim or take back control. Those promises are seductive, especially when you're scared and looking for answers.
Here's the thing: I never fell for the miracle diets myself. My training as a dietitian gave me the tools to see through the promises. But that didn't make me immune to the fear and it didn't stop me from watching others get pulled in.
THE PATTERN
For years, I worked in oncology. I saw how the wellness industry capitalizes on fear and vulnerability by selling hope in the form of supplements, protocols, and "what your doctor won't tell you" promises. I saw people spend money they didn't have on interventions that didn't help. It broke my heart then, and it still does.
When I was diagnosed with MS, I started seeing the same playbook just with a different target. The same fear-based messaging. The same confident claims. The same hefty price tags. Only now, the target was me. And people like me.
THE TURNING POINT
The turning point came when I left my job as an inpatient dietitian to open a private practice. When I told my neurologist, she asked if she could refer her MS patients to me for nutrition support. I said yes and then something unexpected happened. Other people living with MS kept finding me. Then healthcare providers began reaching out, asking how to advise their patients about nutrition.
That's when I realized the problem wasn't a lack of interest, it was a lack of credible, contextualized information. Into that vacuum had stepped Dr. Google, wellness influencers, and alternative health providers offering MS ‘diets’, restrictive protocols, and expensive supplement regimens often without scientific support.
THE MISSION
So in 2019, I refocused my work and renamed my website MSBites, because MS does bite, and because the internet was sorely lacking a grounded, evidence-based perspective.
My goal became clear: to be the voice I wished existed when I was diagnosed, and to change the conversation entirely. Less fear. Less restriction. Less cherry-picked science. More context, more credibility, and a trusted guide to help you figure out what's actually worth your attention.
THE PERSONAL STUFF
I tend toward introvert territory, which might explain why I find so much joy in quiet, creative hobbies. I’m a lifelong lover of quilting and embroidery, and lately I’ve been absorbed in English paper piecing—slow, deliberate, and wonderfully portable. I also dye my own fabric and threads, adding an extra layer of creativity.
I’ve completed the MS Challenge Walk—50 miles in 3 days—twice, proving I can go the distance when it counts. Baseball is my favorite season, the Cubs are my team, and yes, I was at Game 5 of the 2016 World Series. I love the beach and the feel of sand underfoot… just don’t ask me to wade into deep water.
Stitching is my meditation, especially with a British detective novel in my ears. And when cognitive overwhelm hits, I don’t push through—I take a walk. Fresh air and movement help reset my brain.
Dietitian, quilter, fabric dyer, Cubs fan, MSer.
I’m a real person — not the food police.
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Whether you're newly diagnosed and overwhelmed, years in and tired of the noise, or somewhere in between, I'm here to help you eat well without the fear, guilt, or confusion.
Or start with something free and Get the Free Guide 3 STRATEGIES TO MAKE MEALTIME EASIER even on bad MS days!
