Meet Your Team

Carly Knowles, MS, RDN, LD

Dietitian & Cookbook Author

Carly Knowles, MS, RDN, LD, is a master’s-educated registered dietitian, published cookbook author, and expert in midlife and menopause nutrition.

With a clinical background in women's health, menopause, diabetes, and weight management, along with culinary education, she specializes in helping women in their 40s and 50s optimize hormones, achieve lasting weight loss, and feel their best in midlife. Carly combines practical, everyday nutrition with a science-backed approach, empowering women to navigate midlife with confidence.

Carly’s nutrition expertise and recipes have been featured in global media outlets such as SHAPE magazine, CNN, Yahoo, The San Francisco Chronicle, and The Los Angeles Times. She’s also collaborated with trusted food brands like Organic Valley.

As the cookbook author of The Nutritionist’s Kitchen and co-creator of It Starts with Dinner, Carly shares simple and delicious, high protein recipes that highlight the healing power of whole foods. When she’s not working with clients or developing new recipes, she’s spending time with her two children or enjoying a great meal with her husband in Portland, Oregon.

Carmen Shah, INHC

Nutritionist & Program Director

Carmen Shah, INHC is a certified nutritionist and health coach, and the co-founder of It Starts With Dinner.

After successfully running an event planning business for 18 years, Carmen transitioned into nutrition to help women navigate the unique challenges of perimenopause and menopause. Drawing from her personal experience as a woman in menopause, Carmen understands firsthand how confusing and overwhelming this stage of life can be, especially when it comes to nutrition.

Carmen holds a certification in Nutrition Science from Stanford University’s Center for Health Education and a Health Coaching certification from the Institute of Integrative Nutrition. Carmen’s approach blends science-backed nutrition with real life strategies to help women feel good in their bodies and optimize their overall health in midlife and menopause. She lives in Portland, Oregon with her twin daughters and husband.