In honor of Women’s History Month and National Nutrition Month, I’m highlighting three inspiring women building purpose-driven nutrition businesses.
March is a meaningful time to celebrate women who are making an impact, and this year I wanted to spotlight three entrepreneurial colleagues I admire in the nutrition space.
As a registered dietitian, I’ve always believed that the power of nutrition goes far beyond what’s on a plate. It’s about helping people feel better in their bodies, support their energy, and create realistic habits that work in everyday life.
That’s one reason I’m especially inspired by dietitian-founded brands. In honor of Women’s History Month — and as a nod to National Nutrition Month® — here are three dietitian-founded brands worth knowing.
Mitzi Dulan, RD, CSSD — simplyFUEL®
How a World Series win helped launch a protein snack for the whole family
Mitzi Dulan’s journey into entrepreneurship began with a moment that blended sports nutrition, timing, and a little bit of magic.
As the team sports dietitian for the Kansas City Royals, Mitzi made protein balls for the team during their 2015 playoff run. As the Royals kept winning, interest in the snack grew — and before long, people were asking how they could buy them. That unexpected momentum helped spark the creation of simplyFUEL®.
“People started asking me how they could buy my balls and my fellow dietitians who were in my mastermind group told me, ‘You have to make these balls a business!'”
Her background in sports nutrition clearly shaped the product from the start. Mitzi understands the role food plays in fueling both performance and daily life, whether that means supporting a pro athlete or a busy family on the go. But for her, function alone is not enough.
“Taste is king, and as a foodie myself it first has to taste good!”
That balance of practicality and enjoyment is part of what makes simplyFUEL stand out. The brand is rooted in performance nutrition but designed for real life.
“It is unique that it is a protein snack made for all-family, all-day and all-clean ingredients that kids and parents both love.”
Mitzi’s advice for aspiring entrepreneurs is grounded and direct:
“First, know it will likely be the hardest thing you have ever done. Make sure you have product market fit, which means that people want the product and more than friends and family will pay for it.”
Michelle Dudash, RDN — Spicekick
Rethinking the weeknight seasoning packet, one clean ingredient at a time
Michelle Dudash’s inspiration came from a moment many home cooks can probably relate to: trying to get a quick weeknight dinner on the table and realizing the convenience product you’re using doesn’t align with your ingredient standards.
One late-summer weeknight in 2019, while making tacos for her daughters, Michelle used a basic taco seasoning packet and was struck by how easy it made dinner. At the same time, she was frustrated by the fillers, sugar, and vague ingredients often found in those products.
“I thought there had to be a better way.”
With her background as both a registered dietitian and chef, Michelle developed seasoning blends designed to make home cooking easier — without relying on ingredients she wouldn’t want in her own kitchen.
“Most spice blends on the market, even the ‘natural’ ones, list sugar and salt as the first two ingredients, but not mine.”
Her dietitian training also influenced the line in more nuanced ways. Drawing from her experience counseling celiac patients, Michelle made gluten-free blends a priority. She also kept the products plant-based and dairy-free so they could work for a broader range of needs and preferences. What makes Spicekick especially compelling is that it sits at the intersection of convenience and ingredient integrity.
“You will not find commonly used ingredients of other spice packet brands, including maltodextrin, added sugar, wheat flour, starches, and ‘flavors’ made in a lab.”
Her advice for women launching a business was equally no-nonsense:
“Keep things simple, but think big. Grow or die.”
Morgan Murdock, RDN — Unbothered Foods
A digestive health dietitian who spotted a gap — and filled it with sourdough crackers
Morgan Murdock’s brand grew directly out of her work as a clinical dietitian specializing in digestive health. Through conversations with patients navigating IBS and the low FODMAP diet, she saw a gap in the market — options that felt limited and lacked the sense of joy and personality that food should still have.
Around the same time, the sourdough craze during COVID was making sourdough a recurring topic with patients, and Morgan saw an opportunity.
“After seeing the excitement and joy sparked during the sourdough conversation, I knew there was potential for sourdough pantry staples that my GI patients could enjoy!”
That insight became Unbothered Foods. Morgan is clear that her clinical background was foundational to every part of the product:
“I never would have launched a food brand if I didn’t have experience as a dietitian.”
One of the biggest differentiators for Unbothered Foods is its commitment to long fermentation. The crackers are fermented for over 24 hours before baking — a step that helps break down components in wheat that can be difficult for some people to digest, while also creating the tangy flavor sourdough lovers expect.
“Long fermentation is non-negotiable for us due to its digestive benefits and the delicious tangy flavor it uniquely brings to our product.”
Morgan’s advice for other women entrepreneurs was especially empowering:
“Find your niche and become an expert in that. Then, just do it! Starting a business is mostly confidence — even if you don’t 100% know what you are doing — to get it launched.”
What These Women Have in Common
While each of these founders created something very different, I was struck by how much they have in common. Each saw a real need through the lens of her professional experience. Each built from a place of practical nutrition knowledge, not trend-chasing. And each is creating products intended to make eating well feel more realistic in everyday life.
That, to me, is one of the most exciting things about dietitians in entrepreneurship. We are trained to bridge science and daily living — we understand both the evidence and the human side of behavior, convenience, taste, and sustainability. These women are bringing that perspective to life in tangible ways.
Final Thoughts
This Women’s History Month, I wanted to shine a light on three women who are building thoughtful, innovative businesses and using their nutrition expertise in ways that extend beyond traditional counseling, media, or education.
And during National Nutrition Month®, it feels especially fitting to celebrate fellow dietitians who are helping people discover the power of nutrition through products that support real life.
From fueling active families to simplifying weeknight meals and creating more gut-friendly pantry options, these founders are a reminder that nutrition can be both evidence-based and accessible, practical and joyful.
I’m grateful to spotlight their work this month and celebrate the thoughtful businesses they’ve built.
About the Founders
Mitzi Dulan, RD, CSSD — simplyFUEL®
Sports dietitian, entrepreneur, and founder of simplyFUEL®, a protein snack brand created to help active families fuel their fun.
Michelle Dudash, RDN — Spicekick
Chef, registered dietitian, cookbook author, and founder of Spicekick, created to help families make flavorful homemade meals with ease.
Morgan Murdock, RDN — Unbothered Foods
Registered dietitian and founder of Unbothered Foods, a brand focused on craveable, fermented sourdough crackers with gut-friendly appeal.
Disclosure
I’m grateful to highlight these women and the thoughtful businesses they’ve built. This post is not sponsored, and I have no financial or affiliate relationships with the brands featured.
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