Guiding the Next Generation of Dietitians

By Caleigh McAulay, RD, M.AN – Health Promotion & Research Manager, Celiac Canada
November 19, 2025

When I think back to my time as a dietetic student, I remember how much I appreciated the dietitians who took the time to mentor me, the ones who shared what the profession was like in the real world. Now, as a graduate of the University of Guelph’s Master of Applied Nutrition program, it feels incredibly rewarding to be on the other side, helping guide the next generation of dietitians as they begin their own careers.

Working in the area of celiac disease has shown me just how critical dietitian support truly is for this disease. For many people, a dietitian is one of the first healthcare professionals they see after diagnosis, and the guidance they receive early on can make a huge difference. Celiac disease management is lifelong, and dietitians play a key role in helping people navigate everything from nutrition adequacy to social situations, cross-contact, and confidence.

At Celiac Canada, a big part of my role is making sure future and current dietitians have the knowledge and tools they need. Through our workshops, educational webinars, and growing outreach to healthcare providers, we’re working to strengthen gluten-free education across the country, because unfortunately there is a significant gap in knowledge and training about celiac disease within the healthcare community. The goal of our dietetic education efforts is to share real-world insights that help bridge the gap between classroom learning and clinical practice.

Every year, I supervise Master of Applied Nutrition interns, which has become one of my favourite parts of the job. Their creativity, curiosity, and eagerness to contribute to meaningful projects always inspires me. Whether they’re improving gluten-free travel access, developing educational resources, or supporting national awareness campaigns, their work directly impacts people living with celiac disease.

Mentorship is one of the most rewarding parts of being a dietitian. When we invest in future RDs, we strengthen the quality of care for the entire celiac community. And to me, that’s what this work is really about, sharing what we know so the next wave of dietitians can go out and make an even bigger impact.

Below is a Q&A with my most recent dietetic intern, Alexxys, who supported several national projects during her placement. I’m so proud of the work she accomplished, and I think her reflections offer a valuable student perspective.

Q&A with Dietetic Intern Alexxys Dilello

Master of Applied Nutrition student, University of Guelph

What interested you in completing your internship with Celiac Canada?

Enhancing my overall knowledge of celiac disease was the main driving force behind my desire to complete the first part of my graduate program with Celiac Canada. During my undergraduate degree in human nutrition at the University of Guelph, we spent a very minuscule amount of time learning about celiac disease and the impact it has on people around the world.

When I finished my undergrad, I was left with very little knowledge about celiac disease but had a deep desire to learn more. Therefore, when selecting my preferences for internship placements, Celiac Canada was a top priority. Although I didn’t fully understand the extent of the work the organization was involved in, I trusted that the individuals driving the organization would ensure I was equipped with the information I needed to genuinely understand celiac disease.

What has surprised you the most about working with Celiac Canada so far?

During my time with Celiac Canada, two things really surprised me.

The first was the number of people it takes to run such a successful organization. I understood that different individuals contribute to organizations, but I didn’t realize the magnitude of the collaboration involved from volunteers, sponsors, donors, and healthcare professionals to partners like Health Canada. Seeing how many people contribute to this work was outstanding.

Secondly, I hadn’t realized the extent to which celiac disease influences people’s lives or how many individuals remain un- or misdiagnosed. Learning that it can take over 10 years for some to receive an official diagnosis really emphasized the importance of awareness and advocacy.

What has been your favourite project or task to work on?

It was hard to pick just one, but my favourite project was creating a Canva resource outlining the potential complications of leaving celiac disease untreated.

This project not only enhanced my knowledge of the symptoms and complications of celiac disease, but it also allowed me to bring out my creative side. After years of assignments that involved strictly academic writing, this felt like a breath of fresh air where I could take some of my creativity and apply it to a resource. Additionally, this project really put into perspective how important it truly is for those with celiac disease to follow a strict gluten-free diet, and the impact it can have on their overall health if they choose not to.  

What have you learned from working with Caleigh?

Throughout my time working with Caleigh, I learned many valuable lessons that I will carry forward into my future pursuits as an aspiring Registered Dietitian. One of the main concepts she taught me was the importance of spreading awareness about celiac disease and advocating for those impacted by it. She explained how increasing awareness can reduce the number of years people spend searching for a diagnosis.

She also taught me how to accurately read food labels to determine whether a product is gluten-free, and why this skill is so important for people with celiac disease.

Another lesson that stood out to me was the importance of developing clear, evidence-based resources for the celiac community. Caleigh guided me thoughtfully while still encouraging independence. My time with her was nothing short of amazing, and I am truly grateful for the time I got to spend working alongside her.  

How has this experience influenced your future career goals or interests?

This internship has helped me reflect on my future as an aspiring RD. While I’m still exploring which area of practice I want to pursue, this experience has sparked a strong interest in specializing in celiac disease management.

I see myself working in an outpatient clinic where I can use research to support patients directly. Overall, I’m grateful for the opportunities Celiac Canada has offered me and for the influence this experience has had on shaping my career and personal interests.